This information is designed to give you a brief overview of the issue
Wasting energy We all use energy every day. We use electricity and gas to:
Ways we can reduce the problem: As a country:
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RENEWABLE ENERGY
Everyday, the world produces carbon dioxide that is released to the earth’s atmosphere and which will still be there in one hundred years time. Some scientists argue that this increased content of Carbon Dioxide increases the warmth of our planet and is the main cause of the so called “Global Warming Effect”. One answer to global warming is to replace and retrofit current technologies with alternatives that have comparable or better performance, but do not emit carbon dioxide.
Renewable energy comes from sources that are replenished as fast as they are used. Examples include energy from the sun (solar), wind, moving water, and plants such as pine forests, which supply firewood. This energy is harnessed to drive generators that produce electric power.
Wind and solar energy are sustainable, clean sources of energy that have the potential to make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economy. New Zealand is rich in renewable energy resources and, more than other developed countries, already meets much of its energy needs by harnessing the power stored in rivers, lakes, geothermal fields and woody plants (known as biomass).
Nearly a third of the total energy consumed – including electricity, heat and transport fuels – comes from renewable sources. About 70% of all electricity is generated by renewable energy.
Everyday, the world produces carbon dioxide that is released to the earth’s atmosphere and which will still be there in one hundred years time. Some scientists argue that this increased content of Carbon Dioxide increases the warmth of our planet and is the main cause of the so called “Global Warming Effect”. One answer to global warming is to replace and retrofit current technologies with alternatives that have comparable or better performance, but do not emit carbon dioxide.
Renewable energy comes from sources that are replenished as fast as they are used. Examples include energy from the sun (solar), wind, moving water, and plants such as pine forests, which supply firewood. This energy is harnessed to drive generators that produce electric power.
Wind and solar energy are sustainable, clean sources of energy that have the potential to make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s economy. New Zealand is rich in renewable energy resources and, more than other developed countries, already meets much of its energy needs by harnessing the power stored in rivers, lakes, geothermal fields and woody plants (known as biomass).
Nearly a third of the total energy consumed – including electricity, heat and transport fuels – comes from renewable sources. About 70% of all electricity is generated by renewable energy.
ECO HOMES
Eco homes/houses are designed and built in a way that reduces the amount of energy lost through houses. They are also often built from sustainable materials.
An eco house is built in such a way that reduces energy consumption and waste. An eco house reduces the buildings negative impact on human health and the environment, through better design, construction, siting, operation and maintenance. An eco house is a combination of sustainable design, sustainable development and sustainable living.
Eco houses are designed and built as part of the larger ecology of the planet; the design and construction of the building are done in harmony with the natural environment. Studies have shown that buildings are the most damaging polluters on the planet, consuming over half of all the energy used in developed countries and producing over half of all the climate-changing greenhouse gases.
A successful eco house should give the owner the ‘best of both’ by providing less of an impact on the environment along with a healthier place to live and lower ongoing running costs.
Eco homes/houses are designed and built in a way that reduces the amount of energy lost through houses. They are also often built from sustainable materials.
An eco house is built in such a way that reduces energy consumption and waste. An eco house reduces the buildings negative impact on human health and the environment, through better design, construction, siting, operation and maintenance. An eco house is a combination of sustainable design, sustainable development and sustainable living.
Eco houses are designed and built as part of the larger ecology of the planet; the design and construction of the building are done in harmony with the natural environment. Studies have shown that buildings are the most damaging polluters on the planet, consuming over half of all the energy used in developed countries and producing over half of all the climate-changing greenhouse gases.
A successful eco house should give the owner the ‘best of both’ by providing less of an impact on the environment along with a healthier place to live and lower ongoing running costs.