Humans have a wide range of effects on the external environment, including overcrowding, contamination, the use of coal and oil, and the destruction of forests. These alterations have resulted in changing climate, land erosion, poor air condition, and saltwater intrusion. As a result, there is more public who is concerned about environmental protection. Hence, environmental sustainability is becoming one of the most commonly used concepts in climate change discourse. Environmental sustainability may have a substantial influence on the struggle against the environmental crisis. The principles of this concept include maximizing resource efficiency through recycling, accounting standards coordinated with the planet’s natural cycles, and ensuring the diversity of life forms. These principles could be applied to everyday human activities to identify those that violate environmental sustainability.
For me, among the most blatant ways to waste energy is to leave the lights on. It is common to walk out of place and neglect the duty to turn off the lights. However, this habit is not only costly but environmentally harmful. In fact, this action violates the principle of efficient energy use since electricity working in an empty room does not serve any purpose and only wastes energy. Yet, this habit is relatively easy to change: I should get used to turning the lights off when leaving and not planning to return soon. Moreover, turning some kinds of light bulbs off can assist in cooling a room in the warmer months, which may have an impact on other energy waste produced by air conditioners. One technology is handy for solving this problem on a large scale. Namely, smart home appliances can configure lighting to turn on and off at specific periods. Additionally, if someone forgets to switch the lights, they may turn them off with a smartphone.
The other problem related to electricity waste is keeping my electronic devices connected to the system. Even when switched off, computers and other devices use power. Similar to the previous issue, this action neglects the principle of effective and minimized use of energy in the environmental sustainability context. Unplugging all devices, such as TVs, laptops, and chargers, while not in use is one way to reduce power waste. Connecting many appliances to a power socket simplifies the process of turning off useless items all at once. This makes it so much easier to eliminate invisible charges in several gadgets at once by providing a single off switch and a single plug to disconnect for the entire group. Virtual devices allow users to operate their devices even when they are not present. One can regulate the gadgets and switch them off wirelessly using smart assistant programs to save energy. Thus, the environmentally harmful habit of not turning off lights and electronics is solved via concern or appropriate technologies.
Furthermore, it happens that I run the dishwasher half-full, although this habit is obviously not environmentally friendly. Throughout the last few years, dishwashers have grown substantially more productive, which means that one can wash more dishes at once. At the same time, the amount of energy needed for more dishes does not differ from that of using it half-empty. Hence, filling only half of the dishwasher supposes the excessive consumption of power, which contrasts with the principle of maximizing efficiency. Moreover, running one’s washing partially complete wastes twice as much water as operating it fully since water use is done through the exact mechanism as electricity: there is one particular amount needed for any load. Alternatively, I can only run the dishwasher when it is fully or nearly loaded. Since every single cycle uses the same quantities of water regardless of how many dishes are added, I would make sure the dishwasher is filled and improves efficiency.
Another example of everyday unnecessary waste of energy in my life is washing clothes in hot water. Washing is one of my life’s inevitable duties, and I do it regularly, if not daily. This implies that the energy consumed by my washer and dryer, as well as the volume of water required for washing, could have a direct influence on my energy waste. Laundry energy-saving strategies may help me reduce my home’s energy use. In fact, unless one wants to eradicate lubricating oil or other sticky substances, cold water is sufficient to clean clothing, blankets, and linens. In turn, using hot water increases the demand for energy to boil it, which is wasteful since this consumption is not justified and not according to sustainability principles. By shifting from heated to warm water, one can lower the energy consumption in half, and then one can decrease it even more by utilizing cold water.
Finally, one of the problems that have not been evident to me for a long time is letting air leaks go unnoticed. If doors and windows are not adequately shielded, they can allow in much cold air in the wintertime and release colder air into the outside in the summer. As a result, the work of heating and cooling systems at different seasons is compromised, and I might want to increase the power they use to produce the temperature I want. However, such an approach is energy-wasting and violates the principle of maximizing the efficiency of energy. Hence, identifying airflow sites is one of the most effective ways to avoid heat loss at home. Recently, I have examined where my utilities, such as cable, electricity, and water, enter my home. I decided to prevent leaks and plastered them. The most reliable approach to locating leaks could be to hire an expert to do energy analysis, allowing one to determine and prioritize problem locations.
To conclude, one can save more when avoiding squandering power at home every day. I have identified that I violate environmental sustainability principles by not switching the lights off, leaving my electronics powered, using a half-full dishwasher and hot water, and leaving air to compromise the work of coolers and heaters. Yet, I can save my energy cost, improve the environment, prolong the life of my appliances, and live in a more pleasant house all year by fixing these issues.
References List
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Learn About Sustainability. (n.d.) US EPA.
McGarry, C. (2020) Sense Sets the Record Straight About Running Your Dishwasher Every Day – Sense Blog. Sense Blog.
Muffler, R. (n.d.) 5 Common Causes of Coolant Leaks and Their Symptoms. 5 Common Causes of Coolant Leaks and Their Symptoms.
Staughton, J. (2017) If an Appliance Is Plugged into the Wall Socket, but Turned Off, Is it Using Electricity? Science ABC.
The Sustainability Laboratory. (n.d.) The Five Core Principles of Sustainability. The Sustainability Laboratory.