Energy conservation is the foundation of energy independence
Thomas H. Allen
Amount of energy that is made available to the citizens is a measure of human development index of the country. Per capita, energy consumption is often considered an essential indicator of development. As the nation’s race towards achieving progress, consumption of energy will increase. Unfortunately, societies have realised that the way energy is being produced is becoming a significant source of global warming. Climate change and global warming are threatening to make the earth uninhabitable. Either you keep on creating more and more energy for consumption or adopt the methods of optimising the energy consumption and/or improve the efficient ways of using the energy. Energy conservation is the prevention of wasteful use of energy and efficient use of energy to ensure its continuous availability. 14 December is celebrated as National conservation day since 1991. Energy Efficiency Bureau (BEE) plays a lead role in organising observance. It aims to showcase India’s achievements in energy efficiency and conservation. The bureau of energy efficiency was formed as a statutory body in 2002 by the provisions of the energy conservation act that came into force in 2001.
India’s per capita energy income stands at one third of the world’s average. India’s energy production is mostly based on coal for power generation, oil for transport and industry and biomass for residential heating and cooking. India’s total consumption of energy has increased by 50% between 2007 to 2017. India started looking for alternate sources of energy to ensure sustainable development.
National energy conservation day aims to raise awareness on the necessity of energy conservation and to showcase India’s achievements in energy conservation and energy efficiency. The bureau of energy efficiency, every year, gives away “National energy conservation award” to recognise the effort of various industries, organisations which have achieved energy conservation and innovative ways of energy efficiency. The other schemes of the government for energy conservation include standards and labelling by the bureau of energy efficiency, energy conservation building codes by the ministry of power, UJALA scheme, National electric mobility mission plan and the establishment of energy clubs in schools. The country is also celebrating ‘National Energy Conservation Week’ from 9 to 14 December.
One may recall the ways houses were built in the villages in earlier times. They were designed in such a way that natural light finds its way to light up the homes, adequate ventilation makes the houses comfortable to live and rainwater harvesting being part of every house. What happened to all of us, in the name of achieving progress, we left all these behind. Struggling to reinvent them in the name of Green buildings and ironically such buildings become expensive to build. The danger of climate change and global warming threatening the very survival of humanity. There is an urgent need to optimise the energy use, find alternate and sustainable energy sources and enhance the efficiency of energy consumption. After all every unit of energy saved is that much less needs to be produced.
Anyone can save energy by taking small steps like avoiding unnecessary use of light, fan, AC, or any other gadgets, take a walk on the stairs instead of using lift. Reduce energy consumption and encourage people to use it efficiently.
Every act of energy conservation… is more than just common sense: I tell you it is an act of patriotism
Jimmy Carter
Toons: Anusha and Reema Jaiswal
Logs: Sneha Yadla and Sai Baba
