Why conserve energy?

Energy Conservation helps prevent:

Global Warming

Fossil fuel burning produces greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides (25% increase in atmospheric CO2 in the past 150 years) Leads to rising sea level and coastal inundation, drought, heat waves, tropical storms, damaged ecosystems, species extinction, changes in agricultural productivity, etc.

Air Pollution

Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, ozone (smog) These pollutants can cause bronchitis and pneumonia, irritate the lungs, and cause childhood asthma.

Nitrogen oxides cause the brown haze seen over many cities.

Ozone can cause permanent lung damage and reduce crop yields.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain, which causes the death of lakes the world over – The Adirondacks, even remote parts of Alaska.

Water Pollution

Oil spills Coal mining – acids run off into waterways.

Thermal water pollution – water is heated to make steam for electrical generation and kills aquatic life when returned to water.

Land Destruction

Hydropower dams – flood and destroy forestland, native lands, and destroy fish migratory routes.

Strip mining (coal) Oil drilling