How we can Save Energy in our Daily Life ?

Mohan Thulasingam

Climate change is a man-made issue. Vigorous, indiscriminate, and selfish exploitation of the earth’s resources for human development has led to this embarrassing situation. The unmindful and self-centered approach has not only affected the climate but the survival of the self. Cold wars and rebellions are the ploys used to take control of the limited resources of land, fuels, and water. Disputes arise even among the individuals over the ownership of real estates and monies belonging to their ancestors. However, many people do not exercise the requisite care and vigil for maintaining the assets so acquired, but end up in wastage of money and materials. Let’s use the energy efficiently through organizing the things according to the priority. Here, the instances of daily life are presented along with the ways in which we can preserve the precious energy.

Home. Electricity is the versatile input for our life. We have to switch off the lights and devices when no more required. Ironing the clothes in a single sitting will save a lot of energy. All items have to be kept ready for cooking at one go so that the fuel can be saved. Air-conditioners, fridges, and geysers consume more energy due to poor maintenance and care. The older and less-efficient bulbs and tubes need replacement with the LED type. The low-cost and pollution-free solar power can be harnessed to generate electricity.

Motor vehicles have to be serviced regularly to cut down the wastage from the low tyre pressure and the poor quality lubricants and fuels. The water from the baths, rooms, and kitchen can irrigate the gardens. The organic wastes like scraps from the vegetables, fruits and paper decompose as manures. Replacing an object in the same place from where it is taken results in saving time and energy while avoiding the tension of not finding it when required. The old clothes can be given to the poor folks and orphanages. The metallic scraps and unused old articles not only convert to money but save the valuable space.

Office. A smart office produces more at less cost. Reduced work hours and working in the daytime go a long way in saving the energy.  Many offices have a Five-day week for better productivity. The paperless communication and storage of documents is made possible with the digital technology. In fact, the limited papers are recycled for the internal use. Dependence on the air conditioners is minimized through the fans. Efficient lighting with good ventilation is ensured to save the energy.

Public place. At the society level, wastage of rain water through the runoff can be controlled by diverting it to the wells, tanks, and dams. The integration of the rivers will produce lasting benefits of flood control, availability, and higher productivity. Some cities follow a particular day in a week as ‘No Car day.’ Car pooling, cycling, and the public transport system aim at reducing the traffic snarls and pollution and conserving the energy. Sewerage treatment and solid waste management plants enable recycling of the water and garbage. Roads are laid with the recycling of the waste plastics.

Energy saved is energy earned. Cutting down our money expenditure alone does not mean savings. The avoidance of unwanted and lavish spendings also results in frugality. Such savings in every sphere of life would make a great investment for the future.