Energy Conservation
Jessica Goode
Axia College of University of Phoenix
We all use energy each and every day. We use energy for entertainment, cooking,
transportation, lighting, heating, cooling, manufacturing, as well as many other things.
According to the Webster Dictionary (2009), energy is defined as just being active. If that
is truly the case, then anytime we are doing anything we are being active and using up
energy. Shouldnt we try to conserve more energy if that is the case? According to the
Business Dictionary (2007), energy conservation is the reduction in the consumption of
natural resources by any individual, society, organization, or the economy as a whole. It is
the elimination of waste being put back into the Earth and using our resources rationally.
There are many ways that we can help to conserve energy thus helping the environment
and helping ourselves at the same time. There are two types of energy resources:
renewable resources and non-renewable resources.
A renewable energy source is one that can never be exhausted; it is constantly replenished
(California Energy Commission, 2006). Renewable energy sources consist of solar, wind,
hydropower, geothermal, and biomass energy sources. Solar energy comes from the sun,
wind energy comes from wind turbines, hydropower energy comes from water, geothermal
energy is energy created from heat inside the Earth, and biomass energy is energy created
from firewood, animal manure, crop residues and waste (Department of Environmental
Protection, 2009).
A non-renewable source is one that can not be replenished in a short period of time
(California Energy Commission, 2006). Non-renewable sources are also known as fossil
fuels. These fossil fuels are “thought to have been formed from the buried remains of
plants and animals that lived millions of years ago” (Department of Environmental
Protection, 2009). Fossil fuels consist of oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy.
According to the Energy Conservation (1997), 71.5 percent of the worlds electricity is
generated from non-renewable resources.
There are also certain living and non-living factors that contribute to and are affected by
energy conservation. The living factors that contribute to and are affected by energy
conservation are plants, animals (herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores), and humans.
Humans are the main factor contributing to and being affected by energy consumption.
Humans are dependant upon fossil fuels for heat and electricity. The food chain is also
very apparent and directly related. As we run out of our fossil fuels, we extend to other
places to try to find them. By doing this, we are making many plants and animals become
