MITIGATION STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS

Energy Conservation-Mitigation Strategies and Solutions

Energy Conservation-Mitigation Strategies and Solutions

Introduction

Energy conservation is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used while achieving a similar outcome of end use. This practice may result in increase human comfort, personal security, national security, environmental value, and financial capital. Energy conservation is a reduction or elimination of unnecessary energy use. Salekin (2006) mentions there are many activities that people can do to conserve energy and help not only themselves, but also the environment and everyone around them (Salekin, 2006). Conserving energy is important because most of our current energy sources are not renewable; meaning their existence on earth is finite.

Mitigation Strategies and Solutions

Nonliving factors that may contribute or be affected by energy consumption are sunlight, temperature, precipitation, water, and soil. Sunlight and temperature are both contributions to energy consumption. By using the sunlight and the temperature we can use other renewable resources for sources of light and energy instead of using the nonrenewable resources we currently use. Water and soil are affected by sunlight and temperature already.

Living factors that may contribute or be affected by energy consumption are herbivores (animals that only eat plants), carnivores (Animals that feed on other animals or material of animal origin), and omnivores (Animals that feed on material of both plant and animal origin). When the plants are affected by energy consumption that means that there are less of them for the herbivores to eat and stay alive (Salekin, 2006). If these herbivores do not have food to eat and stay healthy they will die and the carnivores which feed off of them may get sick and pass on themselves. Omnivores are affected because they may also get sick from eating plants and other animals which are unhealthy due to lack of energy.

An example of positive human impact for energy conservation would be what the undergraduate students at the University of Guelph have done. They have committed 4.3 million dollars to improve energy efficiency on campus. The students were asked to contribute $10 a month for 12 months to go to energy conservation for the school. The school itself will match what the students raise. Adam Scott an U of G student tell the U of G staff (2005) “This really shows that students care about the environment and are willing to take action, even if that action means a few extra dollars out of their pockets.” Staff and faculty will also have an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing energy conservation efforts. They will have the option to pledge a portion of their salary each pay period; this money will also be matched by the University (Salekin, 2006).

Depending on what types of resources which are used to conserve energy it may cause a negative impact. Using Renewable resources which are replaced rapidly would not be too negative because no matter what is used it can be replaced easily. However, if nonrenewable resources are all used up them it is harder to redeem them again which may ...