With continual advancements in energy technology, and the increasing public demand to eliminate our dependency on foreign oil, the future of America's energy looks promising. There will surely come a day when we no longer have to deplete our planet's natural resources nor pollute our environment in order to satisfy our energy needs, but we do not have to stand idle and wait for that day to come. We can take action right now!
If everyone made the decision to generate only half of their total home energy needs from solar or wind, it would reduce the nation's energy expense by more than $100 Billion annually. That's $100 Billion dollars which can be put into savings for our children's college funds, invested in clean alternative energy projects, or spent on consumer goods which would help stimulate our economy.
On an even smaller scale, making tiny changes can create huge results. For example, if every U.S. household replaced only one burned-out bulb with an energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR rated compact fluorescent bulb, it would prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of nearly 800,000 cars. It would also save enough energy to light 2.5 million homes for a year.
The average home has anywhere from 50 to 100 light bulbs. When you consider the fact that you can cut your energy costs by about $30 over the life of one compact fluorescent bulb, that equates to $1500 - $3000 in savings just by changing your light bulbs. Now isn't that enlightening?