      |
What Do We Mean, Clean Green Power?
 |
LEARN | For all age levels |
Lighting homes, heating water, warming spaces, running machines, driving cars, and flying planes all require energy. The power to do such things is called Clean Green Power if the energy comes from (1) sources that produce little or no air, water or land pollution and (2) the energy is used slowly, in ways that don’t waste energy.
As a result, using Clean Green Power is friendlier and less damaging for the natural environment and for our health than wastefully using other sources of energy. Getting energy directly from the sun, wind, moving water, and plants are some examples of energy sources that are generally considered clean and green. Cars, lights, and appliances that sip—instead of guzzle—energy and turning things off when not in use are examples of using energy slowly and not wasting energy.
The not so good news is that the way we are getting most of our energy at present is not clean. Today, we are still adding pollution to our environment. Even electricity, which seems clean, needs energy to be generated, and right now one of the most common ways is by burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil. We also heat most of our buildings and water with energy that comes from burning fossil fuels and their by-products that include fuel oil, propane, or natural gas. We drive most of our cars by burning gasoline, and we also burn fuels to keep machines in our factories running. Furthermore, we often use far more energy than we need, which adds more unnecessary pollution to our air, water, and land.
When we burn fuel for energy the pollution that goes into our air changes the environment in many ways and harms humans, plants, animals, and other living things. Acid rain, ozone pollution, mercury contamination, and global warming are some that have been in the news a lot recently. Also, fossil fuels aren’t renewable, which means you cannot replace what you burned since it took millions of years to form them in nature.
Luckily, some people are beginning to use energy sources that are clean and green and to use energy more slowly. But most people don’t realize how possible this is. We need more people to learn about clean, green power, and you can help! More kids and adults need to know that the clean, renewable energy is out there working well, right now! In this program, you find people living near you who use clean energy, meet and interview a person who has made smart energy choices, make a project, spread the good news, and have some fun!Home | Power Project | Sites | Materials Fund | Glossaries | Contacts
Developed by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association. Funded by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's Renewable Energy Trust. |
|
Organized by:  |
Sponsored by:  |