Everywhere we have gone in Mexico there has been a lot of electricity consumed – from our dinner last night (above) to souvenir shopping (below). Hotels and resorts are the largest consumers of electricity in a resort area as it takes a lot of electricity to support restaurants and hotel rooms. Many vacationers leave the lights on when they leave the room as well.
Why is it important to save electricity?
It saves the planet.
Here’s why – when you turn on a light or plug something into the wall it seems clean because you do not see or smell any pollution. The pollution is there, however, it just happens back at the power plant.
Coal is used to generate almost half of all electricity produced in the United States. Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock composed mostly of carbon and hydrocarbons and it is the most abundant fossil fuel produced in the United States. Besides electric utility companies, other industries and businesses with their own power plants use coal to generate electricity. Power plants burn coal to make steam. The steam turns turbines which generate electricity.
When coal is burned as fuel, it gives off carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas that is linked with global warming. Burning coal also produces emissions, such as sulfur, nitrogen oxide (NOx), and mercury, that can pollute the air and water. Sulfur mixes with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide (SO2), a chemical that can affect trees and water when it combines with moisture to produce acid rain.
Nuclear power plants, which produce a devastating radiated by-product, are the other primary source of electricity for the United States. Restaurants and resorts in vacation zones in Mexico are now alerting people to the concept that too much electricity is being used. A simple sign tells the whole story -
So you see… every time you leave the lights on or utilize non CFL light bulbs or do ANYTHING related to utilizing energy it creates just a little bit more pollution for our planet to deal with. If you are on vacation, turn the lights off – they are not for free – there is a price to our environment.
The bottom line is the best and quickest way to reduce coal emissions by 50% is to reduce our consumption of electricity by 50%.
What ideas do you have for making a difference and cutting back your electricity use? Here’s my idea – a little video on saving electricity:
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Shawna Coronado says Get Healthy! Get Green! Get Community! www.thecasualgardener.com, The Green Blog - www.gardeningnude.com, or The Garden Blog - http://thecasualgardener.blogspot.com
This is such a CLEVER way to do a giveaway! I love these waterbottles and I see one in your lunch picture!
Posted by: Allyson | April 01, 2009 at 09:09 AM
If my dad saw your video, he'd say, "I told you so!" He is and always has been adamant about turning lights off. My husband, too. So we are pretty good about it around here. But I have been guilty of leaving a hotel room and leaving lights on. Oops!
Posted by: Kylee from Our Little Acre | March 31, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Shawna, you crack me up! Lovin' what you are doing. Must connect when you get back!~Cynthia
Posted by: Cynthia | March 30, 2009 at 10:06 PM
I spy bottles to save water with...
Posted by: Naomi | March 30, 2009 at 07:55 PM
You guys look like you are having lots of fun. I've been enjoying your eco tips as well. Stay safe!
Posted by: Chris Pugh | March 30, 2009 at 03:10 PM
I do believe I see a kickass water bottle or two in the background of the photo of you guys at the table. I lurv the skull one that you guys got. VERY cool.
All best,
Nevin
nevinmartell@gmail.com
Posted by: Nevin Martell | March 30, 2009 at 10:38 AM