It’s a well‐known fact that we have recently seen a rapid increase in alternative energy, especially solar power. But, what is less known is that this surge in alternative energy is being accompanied by an increase in sustainable development, also known as ‘sustainability’.
What does this mean for the average person?
Well, first of all, more and more companies are opting to source their power needs from renewable energy sources. This means that more and more electricity is being generated without any negative impact on the environment. Second, sustainable development is becoming mainstream; governments, businesses, and investors are also taking note and acting upon this fact. Third, more people are becoming aware of their ‘power consumption’ and how they can reduce it. In other words, people are starting to see their energy consumption as a matter of personal responsibility and are therefore acting to reduce it. Finally, people are realising that they can reduce their energy consumption and still have comfort and convenience in their daily lives. This is certainly a desirable outcome that we can all get behind.
So, as you can see, there are many reasons why solar energy and sustainable development are currently in the news. But, what does this mean for our future?
Where Do We Go From Here?
It’s important to keep in mind that this is a fairly new phenomenon. For a long time, we’ve been encouraged to believe that more and more electricity should be generated with as less impact on the environment as possible. The mainstream thinking goes that if we don’t disturb the environment then we’ll have a better shot at ensuring its ‘balance’ and ‘health’ – which is ultimately our responsibility as humans. Furthermore, the main stream media has played a huge role in helping to spread this new, green mentality by giving lots of coverage to sustainability and renewable energy. This has in turn led to more people becoming interested in and accepting of sustainable development. As a result, we’ve seen an increase in corporate social responsibility, leading to more and more businesses being recognised for their inclusivity and progressive thinking.
With this in mind, it’s important to keep our eyes open for opportunities. What steps can we take to progress towards a more sustainable future?
The Rise Of Renewable Energy
If you’re reading this, I assume that you already know all about renewable energy and what it means. If not, here’s a short recap: renewable energy is electricity generated from renewable resources, such as the sun, wind or water. When we talk about alternative energy, we usually think about one of the three sources of renewable energy – solar, wind or water. This is because these are the most popular and widely known ones. In fact, the three sources combined make up more than 90% of all alternative energy.
Due to the advantages that renewable energy has over traditional energy sources – such as coal and natural gas – it’s no wonder that so many people are switching to renewables. When you compare the impact that renewable energy has on the environment to that of traditional energy, the benefits are clear – especially when you consider the damage that burning coal and natural gas does to our air, water and climate.
How Did This Phenomenon Come About?
With this rise in alternative energy comes a clear rise in sustainability. As we mentioned earlier, more and more businesses are realising that they can’t flourish while contributing to the destruction of the environment. As a result, they’re taking a stand and choosing to be more eco‐friendly, sustainable and progressive.
Also, people are increasingly becoming aware that they have a lot more power than they think they do. Once people realise that they can affect change, they become more motivated to make a difference. This is why you’ve probably started reading this article if you’re interested in cutting your energy consumption. It’s also why more and more businesses are moving towards renewable energy sources.