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1 The Principles of Green
1.3.1 Cost Savings
Green action is essential for saving costs. There are various ways which Going
Green can enable us to save costs. For example, by going paperless, you can save
money by paying bills online. It can also save organizations money associated with
postage and paper costs. The use of compact fluorescent light bulbs can enable you
to avoid expenses associated with energy costs. It is estimated that each fluorescent
bulb substituted with an incandescent bulb will utilize 75% less energy (Eyraud et al.
2011). The United States Department of Energy estimates that replacing a 100-W
bulb with a 25-W fluorescent bulb can save more than $100 in a year.
Admittedly, overhauling the traditional and unsustainable practices incurs extra
costs upfront. However, these savings could be significant in the long-term. Using
the energy bulb example, light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are costlier than
incandescent bulbs, but LED bulbs last longer and utilize 10% of the energy used
by incandescent bulbs (Eyraud et al. 2011). Considering the energy bill savings,
and need for fewer replacements, LED bulbs remain a cheaper alternative over an
extended period. This also applies to renewable energy, while alternative sources
of energy, including geothermal and wind, are costly in the short-term, they become
cheaper with technological advancement. Furthermore, fossil fuel prices, mainly oil,
are volatile and continually fluctuate. If you commit to renewable energy now, you
could benefit with lower bills next month.
What types of bulbs or lighting system are used in your house? Estimate the
amount of power that you consume utilizing these lighting systems. From this
estimation, determine whether your actions can be said as “Green.”
1.3.2 Environmental Benefits
Recycling and reusing products, instead of buying new ones, can bring in significant
benefits. The United States Protection Environment Agency (US EPA, 2019) asserts
that recycled products tend to use less energy for production than goods produced
from raw materials due to the elimination of costs related to collecting raw materials.
Consequently, recycled goods can contribute to reducing pollution and conserving
natural resources.
In addition, using Greener energy can help maintain the available number of
carbon sinks that are important for carbon sequestration, the process of removing
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon sinks are artificial or natural reservoirs
that can store and accumulate materials with carbon compounds for an extended
period. The main carbon sinks are soil, the ocean, and plants. Even the most basic
acts can reduce the amount of trash one generates as well as the quantity contributed
1 The Principles of Green
1.3.1 Cost Savings
Green action is essential for saving costs. There are various ways which Going
Green can enable us to save costs. For example, by going paperless, you can save
money by paying bills online. It can also save organizations money associated with
postage and paper costs. The use of compact fluorescent light bulbs can enable you
to avoid expenses associated with energy costs. It is estimated that each fluorescent
bulb substituted with an incandescent bulb will utilize 75% less energy (Eyraud et al.
2011). The United States Department of Energy estimates that replacing a 100-W
bulb with a 25-W fluorescent bulb can save more than $100 in a year.
Admittedly, overhauling the traditional and unsustainable practices incurs extra
costs upfront. However, these savings could be significant in the long-term. Using
the energy bulb example, light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are costlier than
incandescent bulbs, but LED bulbs last longer and utilize 10% of the energy used
by incandescent bulbs (Eyraud et al. 2011). Considering the energy bill savings,
and need for fewer replacements, LED bulbs remain a cheaper alternative over an
extended period. This also applies to renewable energy, while alternative sources
of energy, including geothermal and wind, are costly in the short-term, they become
cheaper with technological advancement. Furthermore, fossil fuel prices, mainly oil,
are volatile and continually fluctuate. If you commit to renewable energy now, you
could benefit with lower bills next month.
What types of bulbs or lighting system are used in your house? Estimate the
amount of power that you consume utilizing these lighting systems. From this
estimation, determine whether your actions can be said as “Green.”
1.3.2 Environmental Benefits
Recycling and reusing products, instead of buying new ones, can bring in significant
benefits. The United States Protection Environment Agency (US EPA, 2019) asserts
that recycled products tend to use less energy for production than goods produced
from raw materials due to the elimination of costs related to collecting raw materials.
Consequently, recycled goods can contribute to reducing pollution and conserving
natural resources.
In addition, using Greener energy can help maintain the available number of
carbon sinks that are important for carbon sequestration, the process of removing
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon sinks are artificial or natural reservoirs
that can store and accumulate materials with carbon compounds for an extended
period. The main carbon sinks are soil, the ocean, and plants. Even the most basic
acts can reduce the amount of trash one generates as well as the quantity contributed