Why Conserving Energy is Important

"Dear boss, I have completed 10 years in this organization. It's time that I visited my family, whom I have not seen in the past 11 years. Through this application I would like you to grant me a leave period of 6 months, as I am planning to spend about 4 months with my family. Now you would think, what would I do in the remaining period. As the entire world has run out of its last reserve of oil in the past couple of days, apparently, there is no availability of transportation, be it cars, buses, flights, or any other vehicle which runs on fuel. So this leaves me with only one option - a bicycle. And considering this, I am assuming that it may take approximately 1 month for me to reach my hometown and the same to come back.

My application may sound strange, but it is as real as the demise of the last speck of oil a few days back. Anticipating an affirmative response from you,

Yours faithfully,
Employee XXXX

Horrifying isn't it? I am trying to portray a hazy picture of the repercussions which we may have to face in the coming years, when bicycles would be the only mode of transportation for one and all. The rate at which energy is being consumed has become staggeringly high and uncontrollable. People prefer using vehicles to cover a distance which would take a mere 30 minutes on foot or may be 15 minutes on a bicycle. Another classic example - charging cell phones for hours and hours even after they get fully charged. I suppose cell phones must have a technology which would inform the user loud and clear that his phone has been fully charged, and that he can switch off the power. Trust me, this would save a great deal of energy. It is also common to find people keeping their car's engine running, if they have to halt for 5 - 10 minutes. Perhaps, according to them, the amount of fuel that has burnt for nothing, is negligible, and so is the harm that it is doing to the environment. But do they ponder upon the fact that there are millions of people who act in the same way as they do? Well, I suppose they don't, because if they had then the necessity of this discussion on the importance of energy conservation wouldn't have occurred altogether.

Importance of Energy Conservation

The foremost reason behind energy conservation is related to our environment. The more fossil fuels are burned, the more our environment is hit by pollution. Even switching off a bulb, when not in use, helps in reducing the consumption of some fuel source which is burnt to produce that kilowatt-hour of energy. Now this fuel source may be fossil fuels, nuclear power, coal plants or alternative energy. Fans, television, refrigerator and several other electronic equipment when powered off, not only do a great deal in conserving energy, but also in protecting the environment.

Conserving energy is important for yet another reason which, is an obvious one. Low electricity bills, reduced maintenance, operating and service costs for electronic equipment are some of the prime benefits, which we can derive, if we use our sources of energy only when required and sparingly.

The next point is related to the scenario cited above. Oil is an exhaustible source of energy, which means, once it is used it is gone. So what is needed to be mulled upon is, that we are using up the fuel reserves in a voracious manner, ignoring the fact that if the demand for oil gets higher than its supply, inflation could be the immediate effect. It is obvious that when production of a good becomes lower than its demand, its price shoots up. And everyone is well aware of how terrible, can high-priced oil be to the economy.

Energy conservation is important even with regards to social impact on countries and communities. It is certain that countries and communities which have better economic standards are the ones which tend to utilize more energy than others. So, being conscious and wise in the use of energy proves helpful to other countries and communities, for accessing the same.

If we leave aside all these points, the most important reason we should use our energy sources wisely is related to our future generations. Don't we want our children and their children and so on, to enjoy a better quality of life when they start making their living? Conserving energy is equivalent to saving a good deal of fortune for our kids and their generations. It would be unfair to comment that the human race is utilizing all possible energy sources day in and day out. Unfair, because with the population and technology on the rise, the utilization of energy is something which is inevitable. But it is also important to understand that energy must be used only when it is required and essential. If your workplace takes half an hour to reach on a bicycle then take your bicycle and not your car or motorbike. Because, here, you do have an option!

It is not possible to completely avoid the use of energy by anyone, but it sure is, to reduce the consumption by a great extent. Use your resources only when required. Remember, the Earth has enough for your need, but not for your greed.