In today’s competitive world, energy efficiency and productivity gains has helped consumers and businesses to reduce the amount of energy used. In fact until now most countries are focusing on how to increase efficiency of energy and save more. It is important to note that there is no complete efficiency in energy since some energy is lost to the environment during the transformation as heat or radiation. For example, machines such as car, computers and generators.
Energy productivity is an indicator, for understanding the energy efficiency of an industry or any business in an economy. Therefore, it is a ratio of total output to the energy consumption. Conventionally, all economies would measure energy productivity by taking aggregate gross domestic product and dividing it by the total energy consumption in a country (Tsuji 2003).
In my paper, I have looked onto the implications of energy productivity in the environmental systems. There are several sources of energy such as wind, solar, hydro-power, nuclear energy, petroleum products, coal and geothermal. Energy is an important resource for countries to propel their economy; however, in search for the energy they affect our environment in many ways. Most of the energy resources are mined from the underground. Therefore, they have huge negative impact to the environment. For example, coal and petroleum have potential harm to air, water and land quality.
This pollution extends to impact the lives of human beings .the World climate change forums have always themed on how to come up with clean, reliable and in expensive energy (Tsuji 2003).most of the economically competitive sources are wind, solar and geothermal. These sources are considered the best alternatives since they have little impact on the environment.
Some of the activities that enhance energy efficiency include insulating homes, so that, to use less heating and cooling systems, using fluorescents lights, use of an alternative mass means of transportation to reduce emission by cars and improve appliances in industries to reduce the use of energy and also help control emission of green house gases (Tobey 2008).
In conclusion, energy efficiency will indirectly reduce the environmental impact since the alternative sources could meet the demand for energy. In pursuit to rescue the environment, many countries are embracing advanced technologies, which leads to less land exploitation and less wastage of energy. Most companies have also come up with clear rules and policies for safer and clean operations on environment especially on the control of the green house gases. These gases are known to be the source of climate effect since they affect the ozone layer in the atmosphere hence keeping the earth warmer. Intensive use energy productivity measures has triggered industries to start treating gases before they are emitted, hence making the environment better (Ohishi 2007).
Studies have generally shown that, there can be exploitation of energy resources without affecting the beauty of the land, by implementing environment conservation policies such as planting trees and land reclamations. Trees are known to purify the air by trapping several unwanted gases including carbon dioxide as well as adding aesthetic value to the land.
The other energy productivity measure is the reduction of oil spillage during transportation. In fact, nowadays it is so rare as a result of using double-hulled tankers that reduce the risk of spillage. In case of fire, the industry has developed carbon capture and storage system whereby the gas is captured and stored underground and never let to the environment. In the extraction of uranium, nuclear power plants produce less pollution, but there is emission of radioactive waste. This waste remains active for thousands of years; the reason why only a few developed countries are able to handle uranium. Lot of technology and water is used for cooling the systems so that the radiation may not escape. In fact, a strong argument can be made that energy productivity has lead to the improved management and great care of environment than several decades ago.
References
Tsuji, M. Energy Production and Consumption. Brussels .Xian Printers. 2003. Print
Tobey, Y. Energy Conservation Systems. Texas. Britt University Press. 2008. Print
Ohishi, K. Environmental Studies of East Asia. Tokyo. Warnaco Publishers. 2007. Print
