Cool Renewables

Going Green Doesn’t Have to be Lame

Everyone is cutting back these days. We’re eating less cholesterol and sugar. We’re walking more, and driving less. We’ve gotten the message that using less and giving more will make the world a better place, and we try, everyday, to make sure that we give more than we take. All of these things make for a healthier, happier planet, which makes for a healthier, happier human race, but there’s a little more to be done. Using less is an excellent start, but making sure that we’ve got plenty of options when it comes to efficiently using the resources that we do have is the next order of business when it comes to protecting our planet.

Green Energy

Green energy is something that humans have always used, but have only recently been able to harness, and turn into electricity that can fed appliances and homes. Solar energy, for example, is the same sunlight that you see when you wake up, and makes flowers and vegetables grow. To use sunlight to light our homes, of course we can open the blinds, but what you really need are solar panels. Made with a combination of minerals, and situated at a high point on a building, solar panels absorb sunlight, and convert it to electricity that then can be used to power our homes. Wind energy is harvested from wind turbines. Wind turbines are almost always situated away from highly-populated areas, and spin like pinwheels, spinning generators that produce power. Hydropower works the same way, except that the natural currents of water spin the generator. Some hydropower dams power homes for miles around, and some power large buildings. Though there are other types of green energy, these three are the most common, and are usually where clean energy is sourced before being sent to homes and businesses.  

Upcycling

Recycling is an essential part of protecting the environment. Upcycling is recycling for a new generation. What started as a couple of people, here and there, sourcing a couple of things creatively turned into a movement that even some larger companies are cashing in on. Taking things that have been discarded and making them useful again is the principle behind upcycling. One of the most popular ways to upcycle is the use of pallets to build different types of furniture. Though the process in and of itself is simple enough, some people are quite crafty, and may even be furniture artisans for this type of work.

Energy Efficient Appliances

How much more fun would laundry be if you knew that you were consuming at least 15% less energy than you would using a regular washer and dryer? The trick? You have to invest in an energy efficient appliance. From there, it only gets easier. Energy efficient appliances cost less money to run and operate in exactly the same way as their energy-draining predecessors. There is a growing market and pressure on electronics companies to make appliances smaller and less detrimental while making sure that they are still able to tackle the responsibilities that their predecessors did. It can certainly be quite a show to see all of this transpire, but it is all in the name of going green!