Life Cycle Awareness
Most people are unaware of their own life cycle, let alone, the cycles we are dependent on that, seemingly with ease, flow all around us every day. This innocent unawareness can misguide our thinking and dilute the importance of life’s critical cycles.
Let’s take a look at an energy cycle that flows so seamlessly we often miss what it took to get to use it: electricity. Most of us simply flip a switch to get the energy we need to do what we want when we want to like read by light, charge our phone, run the dryer, the washer, our lap top and bake toll house chocolate chip cookies – you get the picture?
Our energy systems work so well most of us are completely out of touch with what it really takes to make it happen or even where the energy comes from in the first place. Like I said, it is seamless. An eleven year old was asked, “Where does electricity come from?” and he paused and said, “I don’t know!”
Let’s take a look at an energy cycle that flows so seamlessly we often miss what it took to get to use it: electricity. Most of us simply flip a switch to get the energy we need to do what we want when we want to like read by light, charge our phone, run the dryer, the washer, our lap top and bake toll house chocolate chip cookies – you get the picture?
Our energy systems work so well most of us are completely out of touch with what it really takes to make it happen or even where the energy comes from in the first place. Like I said, it is seamless. An eleven year old was asked, “Where does electricity come from?” and he paused and said, “I don’t know!”
The process has become so conveniently effortless and reliable that we never really see, question, or understand the hidden process. Even a ‘simple cycle’ process of electrical energy takes huge amounts of natural resources to keep the flow at our fingertip. The problem with this particular age-old model is that it is consumptive, wasteful and when you think about it requires personal energy use to make it happen. How? Let me explain.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis in 2010 the average American household spent $1419 in one year on electricity bills. For those making a minimum wage of $7.25, 196 hours a year will have to be dedicated to pay for ‘switch’ convenience.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis in 2010 the average American household spent $1419 in one year on electricity bills. For those making a minimum wage of $7.25, 196 hours a year will have to be dedicated to pay for ‘switch’ convenience.
While the ‘switch’ has become effortless, convenient and we get what we want when we want it there is a huge cost to the environment. One significant problem is electrical energy’s dependence on fossil fuel to produce the energy we need to maintain our lives, as we know them. Not only is it a limited resource but also one that pollutes and poisons the planet, particularly when it gets away from us.
In 2010 the United States consumed 6.87 billion barrels of refined petroleum products (18.83 million barrels per day) US Energy Information Administration. Drilling down further and making it far more personal one American uses an estimated 2.8 gallons of oil per day to keep their life cycle flowing smoothly! That’s 1022 gallons per year – each barrel holds 42 gallons of crude oil, which means one American needs 24 barrels of crude oil to make a year comfortable! These green barrels, to the left, hold enough oil for a family of two! Can you imagine that sitting in your front yard?
Being as dependent as we have been on fossil fuels has played a huge role in hurting our own life cycle and the many natural cycles around us. Fossil fuels have made it easier for us to get from here to there, they have added a level of comfort, peace, calm, warmth and fossil fuels have helped to light up our world. Doesn't seem too bad?
Being as dependent as we have been on fossil fuels has played a huge role in hurting our own life cycle and the many natural cycles around us. Fossil fuels have made it easier for us to get from here to there, they have added a level of comfort, peace, calm, warmth and fossil fuels have helped to light up our world. Doesn't seem too bad?
Yet there is a huge cost that many of us are not in touch with. Many recognize that sustaining our energy demands on fossil fuels only is not possible. That’s why, thankfully, things like wind power and solar power are well established alternatives.
Let’s consider becoming more aware of energy usage – not just external energy usage but our own personal energy usage. By taking the time to thoughtfully rethink energy alternatives it is possible our immediate world would be far less dependent on fossil fuels. As we shift, we gradually bring awareness back to our own personal energy as it relates to our own valuable life cycle. Imagine what a less energy dependent life might include - walking more, riding our bikes, and reading by the light of day?
Let’s consider becoming more aware of energy usage – not just external energy usage but our own personal energy usage. By taking the time to thoughtfully rethink energy alternatives it is possible our immediate world would be far less dependent on fossil fuels. As we shift, we gradually bring awareness back to our own personal energy as it relates to our own valuable life cycle. Imagine what a less energy dependent life might include - walking more, riding our bikes, and reading by the light of day?
As we become less dependent on outsourced energy and more dependent on personal energy our mental and physical health may be the first things to change for the better, consuming far less and expending energy that typically has not been spent thanks to man made conveniences. Personal awareness is the first step to making valuable change, not only for ourselves, but also the natural world around us. Please rethink how you sustain yourself and commit to use less energy today by doing just one or more of these things: power it down, unplug it, carpool, switch to clean energy, go green, build green, watch your water use or grow a garden, and reduce your waste.