What's Green?

Understanding what exactly it means to be green is your first step to becoming environmentally friendly. Learn about going green, and the movement that is helping us all become more involved in preserving the planet.

The word "green" gets bandied about quite a bit lately, and although it's something you've probably heard about, you may not know exactly what it means. "Green," in general, encompasses the entire movement to become more environmentally conscious. You can go green in several ways, from powering your home with green energy or by changing small things in your everyday life like light bulbs. Green can apply to the way you fly, the way you drive, the way you build and more. You can choose to embrace a green way of life, and do everything you can to be environmentally conscious, or you can pick specific ways you want to change your life to become green. This site can not only help you evaluate whether you are ready to go green, you can also take steps to become green. You can order green energy and read green tips to help you become even more environmentally friendly.

Why It's Important to Go Green Today

Green energy has become something of a global phenomenon, enough to put the Irish, Kermit and Christmas Trees firmly in the background. Green energy, organic, go green and a whole modern dictionary of similar terms are all over major media and the Internet. Scientific evidence shows that this generation will have the greatest impact on the environment within the next 50-

100 years, and businesses are beginning to push hard for renewable energy. Now is simply a great time to learn about going green. Yes it's important for electricity and natural gas companies, as well as federal and state agencies, to research and develop renewable energy for future generations. But it does not take away from the fact that you can go green at home in many affordable and easy ways. Here are a few major reasons to go green:

Burning fossil fuels is pumping billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, not to mention increasing dependency on resources such as oil and coal, of which there is not an endless supply. Renewable energy is 100 percent clean and uses resources that are sustainablesun, water, wind, etc.and do not negatively impact the environment. The less we consume, the fewer resources are consumed to feed the demand. Homes are poorly designed, and tend to over consume precious resources. Conserving energy can be done by simply switching to LED or Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL) in your home. LED lights use up to 90 percent less energy than traditional lighting. Save money on your energy bill. You would be amazed how cutting back on water consumption, wasteful lighting practices and buying efficient appliances can save you a good chunk of cash. Using recyclable or organic products means that toxic materials are removed from the production. The more we dispose of in landfills, the more valuable and costly materials are being wasted, as well as producing more greenhouse gases as these landfills decompose.

Understanding the Impact of Climate Change

The next decade will be crucial in implementing changes that will aim to reverse the affect of global warming. Historically, periods of warmth could be attributed to various factors: the sun, volcanic eruptions and changes in the earth's orbit have all factored into these warming periods. But the single most significant factor in recent climate change is humans. Statistics from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Energy Information Administration (EIA) show a major increase in greenhouse gas emissions within the last century. Since the Industrial Revolution, nearly 3.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide has been added to the earth's atmosphere annually, a 35 percent increase. Scientists are concerned that the Arctic

is heating nearly twice as fast as the rest of the planet in the last 50 years, and because of the 7 human contributions to increasing greenhouse gas emissions, the dangers associated with rising temperatures could be realized in the near future.

Leading Causes of Global Warming

Fossil Fuel Consumption The burning of fossil fuels is considered the greatest threat in global climate change. According to the EIA, the U.S. contributes more than 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions from energy production. In fact, power plants produced a whopping 2,459,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2006. Vehicle Emissions More than 20 percent of all carbon emissions in the U.S. come from automobiles, large trucks and airplanes. Landfills The gradual decomposition of trash in landfills produces more than 34 percent of methane emissions. Methane isn't as concentrated in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, but does trap more solar heat than other gases. Deforestation The destruction of forest populations is seriously interrupting the natural maintenance of carbon through photosynthesis, emitting million of tons of additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Fossil Fuels: How Do They Negatively Affect the Environment?

Fossil fuels are the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the world, contributing 3/4 of all carbon, methane and other greenhouse gas emissions. Burning coal, petroleum and other fossil fuels at extremely high temperatures (combustion) is the primary means by which electricity is produced, but also leads to heavy concentrations of pollutants in our air and water.

The real problem is that the atmosphere already absorbs a ton of greenhouse gases naturally, but is trapping up to 25 percent more of the sun's radiation due to annual increases in greenhouse gas emissions. Just think of the atmosphere as a very thick blanket of insulationa blanket of insulation that grows thicker and more absorbent by the year. Here are some eye-popping statistics from the Energy Information Administration:

3.2 billion tons of additional carbon dioxide annually. More than 2.5 million metric tons of carbon is produced by power plants. 98 percent of U.S. energy production comes from non-renewable sources, a.k.a. fossil fuels. The U.S. consumes more than 20 million barrels of oil per day, with more than one million tons of coal consumed annually as well.

The increased awareness surrounding global warming and the importance of renewable energy is vital, but the fact remains that fossil fuel production and consumption has hundreds of years of history, and the use of renewable energy is still in its infancy.

The Hidden Cost of Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuelscoal, oil, and natural gasare America's primary source of energy, accounting for 85 percent of current US fuel use. Some of the costs of using these fuels are obvious, such as the cost of labor to mine for coal or drill for oil, of labor and materials to build energy-generating plants, and of transportation of coal and oil to the plants. These costs are included in our electricity bills or in the purchase price of gasoline for cars. But some energy costs are not included in consumer utility or gas bills, nor are they paid for by the companies that produce or sell the energy. These include human health problems caused by air pollution from the burning of coal and oil; damage to land from coal mining and to miners from black lung disease; environmental degradation caused by global warming, acid rain, and water pollution; and national security costs, such as protecting foreign sources of oil. Since such costs are indirect and difficult to determine, they have traditionally remained external to the energy pricing system, and are thus often referred to as externalities. And since the producers and the users of energy do not pay for these costs, society as a whole must pay for them. But this pricing system masks the true costs of fossil fuels and results in damage to human health, the environment, and the economy. Environmental Impacts of Fossil Fuel Use Many of the environmental problems our country faces today result from our fossil fuel dependence. These impacts include global warming, air quality deterioration, oil spills, and acid rain.

Global Warming Among the gases emitted when fossil fuels are burned, one of the most significant is carbon dioxide, a gas that traps heat in the earth's atmosphere. Over the last 150 years, burning fossil fuels has resulted in more than a 25 percent increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Fossil fuels are also implicated in increased levels of atmospheric methane and nitrous oxide, although they are not the major source of these gases. Since reliable records began in the late 1800s, the global average surface temperature has risen 0.5-1.1 degrees Fahrenheit (0.3-0.6 degrees Celsius). Scientists with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded in a 1995 report that the observed increase in global average temperature over the last century "is unlikely to be entirely natural in origin" and that "the balance of evidence suggests that there is a discernible human influence on global climate." Climate scientists predict that if carbon dioxide levels continue to increase, the planet will become warmer in the next century. Projected temperature increases will most likely result in a variety of impacts. In coastal areas, sea-level rise due to the warming of the oceans and the melting of glaciers may lead to the inundation of wetlands, river deltas, and even populated areas. Altered weather patterns may result in more extreme weather events. And inland agricultural zones could suffer an increase in the frequency of droughts. Air Pollution Clean air is essential to life and good health. Several important pollutants are produced by fossil fuel combustion: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and hydrocarbons. In addition, total suspended particulates contribute to air pollution, and nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons can combine in the atmosphere to form tropospheric ozone, the major constituent of smog. Carbon monoxide is a gas formed as a by-product during the incomplete combustion of all fossil fuels. Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause headaches and place additional stress on people with heart disease. Cars and trucks are the primary source of carbon monoxide emissions. Two oxides of nitrogen--nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide--are formed in combustion. Nitrogen oxides appear as yellowish-brown clouds over many city skylines. They can irritate the lungs, cause bronchitis and pneumonia, and decrease resistance to respiratory infections. They also lead to the formation of smog. The transportation sector is responsible for close to half of the US emissions of nitrogen oxides; power plants produce most of the rest. Sulfur oxides are produced by the oxidization of the available sulfur in a fuel. Utilities that use coal to generate electricity produce two-thirds of the nation's sulfur dioxide emissions. Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are important constituents of acid rain. These gases combine with water vapor in clouds to form sulfuric and nitric acids, which become part of rain and snow. As the acids accumulate, lakes and rivers become too acidic for plant and animal life. Acid rain also affects crops and buildings. Hydrocarbons are a broad class of pollutants made up of hundreds of specific compounds containing carbon and hydrogen. The simplest hydrocarbon, methane, does not readily react with

nitrogen oxides to form smog, but most other hydrocarbons do. Hydrocarbons are emitted from human-made sources such as auto and truck exhaust, evaporation of gasoline and solvents, and petroleum refining. The white haze that can be seen over many cities is tropospheric ozone, or smog. This gas is not emitted directly into the air; rather, it is formed when ozone precursors mainly nonmethane hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides react in the presence of heat and sunlight. Human exposure to ozone can produce shortness of breath and, over time, permanent lung damage. Research shows that ozone may be harmful at levels even lower than the current federal air standard. In addition, it can reduce crop yields. Finally, fossil fuel use also produces particulates, including dust, soot, smoke, and other suspended matter, which are respiratory irritants. In addition, particulates may contribute to acid rain formation. Water and Land Pollution Production, transportation, and use of oil can cause water pollution. Oil spills, for example, leave waterways and their surrounding shores uninhabitable for some time. Such spills often result in the loss of plant and animal life. Coal mining also contributes to water pollution. Coal contains pyrite, a sulfur compound; as water washes through mines, this compound forms a dilute acid, which is then washed into nearby rivers and streams. Coal mining, especially strip mining, affects the area that is being mined. Characteristically, the material closest to the coal is acidic. After the mining is completed, the land will remain barren unless special precautions are taken to ensure that proper topsoil is used when the area is replanted. Materials other than coal are also brought to the surface in the coal mining process, and these are left as solid wastes. As the coal itself is washed, more waste material is left. Finally, as the coal is burned, the remaining ash is left as a waste product. Thermal Pollution During the electricity-generation process, burning fossil fuels produce heat energy, some of which is used to generate electricity. Because the process is inefficient, much of the heat is released to the atmosphere or to water that is used as a coolant. Heated air is not a problem, but heated water, once returned to rivers or lakes, can upset the aquatic ecosystem. National Security Impacts of Fossil Fuel Use Our nation's fossil fuel dependence means that, to ensure our supply, we may be forced to protect foreign sources of oil. The Persian Gulf War is a perfect example: US troops were sent to the Gulf in part to guard against a possible cutoff of our oil supply. Although the war is over, through taxes we are continuing to pay for protecting oil supplies with our armed forces. Not only were billions of dollars spent in protecting the oil, but lives were lost as well. Reliance on Middle East oil also creates a danger of fuel price shocks or shortages if supply is disrupted. Today, about one-third of our oil comes from the Middle East. By 2030, if we do not change our energy policy, we may be relying on Middle East oil for two-thirds of our supply.

Environmental effects

Global fossil carbon emission by fuel type, 18002007. Note: Carbon only represents 27% of the mass of CO2 Main article: Environmental issues with energy The U.S. holds less than 5% of the world's population but, due to large houses and private cars, uses more than a quarter of the world's supply of fossil fuels.[20] In the United States, more than 90% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels.[21] Combustion of fossil fuels also produces other air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals. According to Environment Canada: "The electricity sector is unique among industrial sectors in its very large contribution to emissions associated with nearly all air issues. Electricity generation produces a large share of Canadian nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide emissions, which contribute to smog and acid rain and the formation of fine particulate matter. It is the largest uncontrolled industrial source of mercury emissions in Canada. Fossil fuel-fired electric power plants also emit carbon dioxide, which may contribute to climate change. In addition, the sector has significant impacts on water and habitat and species. In particular, hydro dams and transmission lines have significant effects on water and biodiversity."[22]

Carbon dioxide variations over the last 400,000 years, showing a rise since the industrial revolution. According to U.S. Scientist Jerry Mahlman and USA Today: Mahlman, who crafted the IPCC language used to define levels of scientific certainty, says the new report will lay the blame at the feet of fossil fuels with "virtual certainty," meaning 99% sure. That's a significant jump from "likely," or 66% sure, in the group's last report in 2001, Mahlman says. His role in this year's effort involved spending two months reviewing the more than 1,600 pages of research that went into the new assessment.[23] Combustion of fossil fuels generates sulfuric, carbonic, and nitric acids, which fall to Earth as acid rain, impacting both natural areas and the built environment. Monuments and sculptures made from marble and limestone are particularly vulnerable, as the acids dissolve calcium carbonate. Fossil fuels also contain radioactive materials, mainly uranium and thorium, which are released into the atmosphere. In 2000, about 12,000 tonnes of thorium and 5,000 tonnes of uranium were released worldwide from burning coal.[24] It is estimated that during 1982, US coal burning released 155 times as much radioactivity into the atmosphere as the Three Mile Island incident.[25] Burning coal also generates large amounts of bottom ash and fly ash. These materials are used in a wide variety of applications, utilizing, for example, about 40% of the US production.[26] Harvesting, processing, and distributing fossil fuels can also create environmental concerns. Coal mining methods, particularly mountaintop removal and strip mining, have negative environmental impacts, and offshore oil drilling poses a hazard to aquatic organisms. Oil refineries also have negative environmental impacts, including air and water pollution. Transportation of coal requires the use of diesel-powered locomotives, while crude oil is typically transported by tanker ships, each of which requires the combustion of additional fossil fuels.

Environmental regulation uses a variety of approaches to limit these emissions, such as command-and-control (which mandates the amount of pollution or the technology used), economic incentives, or voluntary programs. An example of such regulation in the USA is the "EPA is implementing policies to reduce airborne mercury emissions. Under regulations issued in 2005, coal-fired power plants will need to reduce their emissions by 70 percent by 2018.".[27] In economic terms, pollution from fossil fuels is regarded as a negative externality. Taxation is considered one way to make societal costs explicit, in order to 'internalize' the cost of pollution. This aims to make fossil fuels more expensive, thereby reducing their use and the amount of pollution associated with them, along with raising the funds necessary to counteract these factors.[citation needed] According to Rodman D. Griffin, The burning of coal and oil have saved inestimable amounts of time and labor while substantially raising living standards around the world.[28] Although the use of fossil fuels may seem beneficial to our lives, this act is playing a role on global warming and it is said to be dangerous for the future.[28]