How Can We Reduce the Use of Fossil Fuels

We all seem to be dependent on the use of fossil fuels to a great extent such that the very thought of doing without them can make your hair stand on end. While fossil fuels provide us with all the luxuries, they cause an equal amount of damage to the atmosphere as well. Everyday tons of toxic gases are released into the air from the burning of these fuels. Moreover, they are non-renewable sources of energy, which means once they are depleted they are gone forever. The increased usage of fossil fuels have given rise to several grave environmental issues that ought to be addressed on priority basis to save the earth from some disastrous effects. If we come up with ideas to reduce the use of the same or use alternate sources of energy, we will be able to avoid this total disaster and also improve the quality of environment. This Buzzle article actually addresses the ways to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Ways To Reduce Our Dependence On Fossil Fuels

To begin with, how about replacing your water heaters with solar water heaters. Water heaters, according to a recent survey contribute heavily to the home utility bills in most households, and consumes more electricity than most other appliances in your house. Installing solar water heaters, which use sun's light (non-exhaustible source of energy) to heat can not only work in the favor of reducing the use of fossil fuels by saving energy but also amounts to huge saving in the utility bills.

The above could be something to start with, but if you want to go a step ahead and revolutionize the whole thing, installing solar panels or multipurpose solar inverters would be a great! Solar panels can generate and supply electricity for residential applications. However, a single solar panel can produce only a limited amount of electricity, hence if you could get your neighbors or people in your area ready for installing an array of solar panels, it will produce high-efficiency power at a low or no cost at all. You could either mount these panels on the roof, or off the ground, whichever is feasible.

Always walk short distances and encourage the use of public transport. Research shows that around 20% of the global pollution comes from transportation. Public transport combines the journeys of a lot of people, at the same time eliminating the pollution caused by their individual private cars. One can also adopt the idea of carpooling. Sharing a ride with few other people is a cheap way to minimize the level of pollution. In fact most companies have taken steps to encourage their employees living in the same location to carpool while coming to work.

We can always do our bit by opting for reusable and recyclable products to reduce waste. There are hordes of things that lie in and around your place which can be reused in some or the other way. Recycling should be encouraged; paper, plastic, aluminum cans, and glass are some of the few things which can be recycled easily. You can even start a recycling program at your workplace, school or in your backyard.

Say no to processed foods! This is because production of processed foods consumes more energy. Moreover, it is pointless to consume processed food, when you have a healthy option of feeding on organic food. Fresh foods are also more nutritious than processed foods. This idea is worth considering, how about home-grown food! Carrots, green beans, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, summer squash, basil and mint are few of the simple vegetables you can consider growing in your backyard. They do not need a lot of space and maintenance either. Nurture your family with the freshest possible organic produce and in the bargain you will be contributing in reducing the use of fossil fuels.

This is the most important and essential element of fighting and reducing the problems related to the use of fossil fuels. Plant a tree! A single tree in its entire lifetime absorbs around one ton of carbon dioxide, hence helps in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released by industries in the air everyday. The point is not just to plant a tree, but also to encourage the same. It is quite a simple task, that amounts to great contribution in saving our planet.

To sum it all up, share this information with your friends, neighbors and kids. Encourage public officials or bureaucrats to implement policies and programs that will prove good for the environment. Make sure you follow these implementations religiously. Every bit of your contribution in reducing the use of fossil fuels, will have a great impact in making the earth a better place to live in!