How to avoid waste of energy.
With the fast growth of civilization, there is also an ever-mounting need for energy. Energy may be in the form of fuel or electricity. The world appears to have reactivated energy to a liquid fuel like petrol. This is likely to be exhausted in the course of a few years at the rate man is using it. Electricity depends on oil or water resources and when oil goes, water resources cannot keep up with the demand. Everybody is caught up with the problem of the conservation of energy.
To meet the challenge various methods have been suggested. One Is to suppress the demand. Rationing has to be brought in by means of legislation so that non-essential consumption may be brought to a minimum. In fact, this is being done when the power supply becomes chronically short. There can be a power cut. During certain hours of the day the power supply can shut down, thus power is saved or conserved for better use. Energy conservation is possible through modernization of plants and equipment. In fact, where obsolete equipment is in use it can be replaced by modem, energy-saving ones. Energy can be saved at the domestic level by better housekeeping. Modern gadgets consuming energy should he used only when they are absolutely necessary. Luxury items like the television, radio, and record player can be used sparingly. Wasteful usage of lights can be avoided. Meaningless illumination must be given up. In industries through adopt quality control measures, energy can be saved. It is also possible by reorganizing and streamlining systems through structural changes as in modernizing equipment. For example, by adopting a better design in electrical motors, efficiency can be improved.
Energy can be saved on transport by the following methods. People should commute by rail rather than by cars and vans. Animal-drawn vehicles may be encouraged for very short distances. This is being done in countries where there is a village economy and animals like bullocks are not scarce. The transport system must be improved with a view to saving energy. Cities must be planned in such a way that the commuting distance is minimized.
In industry, many things could be done to reduce the waste of energy or to economize energy. The maintenance may be tightened; waste heat must be utilized properly. If systems are streamlined, the economy in fuel could be obtained. Instead of using materials requiring higher energy, those which require lower energy can be used. By effecting minor changes in the existing plants, the economy in energy could be achieved.
The energy question is a major global problem and is drawing the attention of all. But we can hope the man with his ever-rising urge for existence will come up with this major and the most urgent problem and find alternatives.
