Renewable Energy's Dominance: Surpassing Traditional Energy Conservation in The Pursuit of Sustainable Development
Renewable Energy's Dominance: Surpassing Traditional Energy Conservation in The Pursuit of Sustainable Development
Renewable Energy's Dominance: Surpassing Traditional Energy Conservation in The Pursuit of Sustainable Development
Are we witnessing a seismic shift where the brilliance of renewable energy eclipses the
tried-and-true strategies of energy conservation? The difference between renewable energy and
traditional energy conservation lies in their approaches. Renewable energy harnesses the Earth's
natural movements and gravitational forces (Twidell, 2021), as seen in geothermal energy power
stations that convert heat of the Earth into electricity. On the other hand, the traditional energy
conservation involves deliberate actions to reduce energy usage, such as turning off lights when
leaving a room or opting for walking instead of driving (Energy Conservation Ideas, n.d.),
remain fundamental yet potentially overlooked in the current discourse. We must know that the
current focus on renewable energy is overshadowing the need for an actual energy conservation.
Energy conservation helps in reducing gases emission into the atmosphere which reduces
more environmental impact (Stein, 2024), than renewable energy who is not completely free
from emitting carbon footprints that causes global warming and air pollution (Chen et al., 2023).
According to a study from "The Power of Renewables" (2010), while renewable energy sources
emit low levels of greenhouse gases and conventional air pollutants, the manufacturing and
transportation processes still produce some emissions and pollutants. So, that is why we still
Additionally, traditional energy conservation does not take up space because it is only a
practice to lessen the use of electricity (Energy Conservation Ideas, n.d.). While renewable
energy does take massive space to construct with over 40 hectares of panels, current solar energy
generation technologies yield about 20 megawatts, while an average nuclear power plant
generating 1,000 megawatts occupies 259 hectares, leaving a solar energy facility utilizing the
same space to produce under 200 megawatts, and a 2-megawatt wind turbine requires 1.5 acres
(about twice the area of a large mansion) compared to a nuclear facility generating
2022). Wherein, it can lower electricity bills and decrease the strain on power grids. Considering
that our goal is to really save energy and money through using renewable energy. We must not
forget to conserve energy by doing trivial things that reduce energy consumption that affects our
environment.
However, we cannot deny that renewable energy creates job opportunities for people
(The Many Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy, 2019) and it is inevitable to not use
electricity and sometimes overuse it. So, people tend to use renewable energy instead of
depending on non-renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, conserving energy means using less
of it in the first place, which can lead to significant cost savings for individuals, businesses, and
governments. This can free up resources that can be allocated to other productive sectors of the
economy, potentially creating more jobs in different industries. Therefore, even though
energy sources, it is not a standalone solution. Energy conservation practices are essential for
into our everyday lives to support the larger transition to renewable energy sources. Long-term
sustainability requires not only a focus on renewable energy sources but also an appreciation of
the importance of low-tech but high-impact energy-saving measures. The entire approach
supports both environmental conservation and our main objective of maximizing energy and cost
savings. Still, with all the buzz about renewable energy, it is easy to forget how important those
little energy-saving actions are. We need to remember that even small steps can make a
significant difference in saving energy and protecting our planet for the future.
References:
Chen, X. H., Tee, K., Elnahass, M., & Ahmed, R. R. (2023). Assessing the environmental
impacts of renewable energy sources: A case study on air pollution and carbon emissions
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Palmetto. (2022, August 29). Reasons you should save energy. https://palmetto.com/learning-
center/blog/reasons-to-save-energy
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2010). The Power of Renewables:
Opportunities and Challenges for China and the United States. Washington, DC: The
Rinkesh. (2023, August 3). Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy - Conserve
future.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-renewable-energy.php
Stein, Z. (2024, February 6). Energy Conservation | Meaning, importance, Benefits, & tips.
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The Many Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy. (2019, March 12). The many economic
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