It goes without saying that the energy sector must continue to shift to environmentally friendly practices and technology for us to be able to function as a green society. Energy-based services — particularly power and waste-to-energy conversion plants — are continuing to adapt to the environmental demands of the modern world. Here are some examples of what these services can, are, and hopefully will continue to do in order to become more energy efficient.
Pollution Minimization
Clean, renewable energy is one of the pillars a green society is built on. In fact, Canada is the second largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world, with wind power accounting for 3.5 percent of the country’s energy production. Combined with the growing trend of solar panel installation in everything from homes to office complexes, Canada’s continued adoption of renewable energy policies and practices will only serve as a benefit. Other countries are also embarking on changing with the times, with China, the United States, and Brazil being the top three producers of clean energy. We still have a long way to go to reach 100% renewable electricity production, but with continued support it will only be a matter of time.
Moving Beyond Nuclear Power and Uranium Conversion
Japan’s devastating series of disasters in 2011 should serve as a stark reminder of how insignificant we are as a species in this world — in a way, we’re guests. It would be ideal to respect the home we’ve been invited into, in the form of reducing our nuclear footprint and adapting cleaner, safer alternatives. We’re certainly making headway, but there’s still a ways to go yet. Nuclear plants, when threatened by natural disasters or catastrophic events, have the potential to destroy the very environment they aim to heal. Uranium conversion plants also pose a danger. The less we utilize hazardous practices, the more quickly we can progress towards total energy efficiency and environmental friendliness not just in North America, but worldwide.
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