Energy saving and environmental protection - how can you have a direct impact on the environment?
16 May 2022
Electricity, and in particular its extraction and distribution, has a significant impact on the environment. This impact is obviously not a favourable one, which is why environmentalists reiterate the importance of saving energy. In this article, we discuss the relationship between saving electricity and protecting the environment. We will also present simple rules that each of us can follow to contribute to greater protection of the ecosystem.
Energy saving and environmental protection - what is worth knowing?
Decisions to increase CO2 levies have contributed to rising electricity prices. According to calculations, electricity bills can increase by up to 40%. However, the economic aspect of saving energy is not the most important issue here. Before going on to present the measures that can be taken to save energy, it would be worth explaining why it is necessary to save energy at all. It is already known that electricity has an impact on the environment, but what does this mean in practice? So we invite you to a short lesson entitled. "Electricity and the environment".
Electricity sources are divided into renewable and non-renewable. As one can guess, the greater harm to the environment comes from the latter, which include the extraction of energy from coal, oil or gas. The very process of extracting these raw materials contributes to many negative effects: soil degradation due to overexploitation, air pollution or significant carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, which leads to global warming. This negatively affects the state of the water in the seas and oceans, agricultural crops and soil quality. These changes are harming the environment, as well as ourselves. Pollution and the emission of harmful substances contribute to more illness and mortality on a global scale, the problem of access to water or, indeed, to electricity.
Energy saving and environmental protection - the importance of environmental awareness
In Poland, approximately 80% of electricity comes from fossil sources, i.e. non-renewable energy sources. Their alternatives include RES (wind, water, solar or biomass energy). If you are wondering about the impact of alternative energy sources and environmental protection in Poland, we unfortunately have an unpleasant answer. This potential is still not sufficiently exploited, which is why it is so important to save the electricity we already produce, which we use for heating or lighting, among other things. Let us take advantage of the opportunities offered to us by modern technology and opt for energy-saving bulbs, and when buying electronic equipment, let us also check the energy class. 
How does saving energy protect the environment?
How do you save electricity? Ecology has the answer. Even the smallest steps we take to increase energy savings count. This is particularly important for companies and larger manufacturing businesses. As a business owner, you can opt for an audit to decide what to save energy on. You may need to upgrade to more energy-efficient equipment, or perhaps just change the lighting or use air conditioning more sparingly, for example. However, it is always a good idea to raise awareness and educate your employees so that they too take care to save energy.
Recently, a popular way to save electricity is to generate it yourself using photovoltaic panels. Companies as well as individuals can opt for photovoltaics. Such panels convert the absorbed solar energy (from radiation or appropriate temperature) into electricity. So it is an easy way to save on bills and start using renewable energy sources. Unfortunately, it is quite an expensive investment, so not everyone can afford it. However, there are subsidy programmes that support both ordinary households and businesses.
Energy saving and environmental protection - which measures will make an impact?
As an ordinary inhabitant of the Earth, you can do a great deal to improve its overall condition. Environmental awareness is not enough, it needs to be put into practice. Start with simple actions. First of all, save on lighting, remember to always switch off the light when you leave your room, flat or house. Use it rationally - if the light from a lamp is enough, don't light a large chandelier across the room. Saving energy is also linked to saving water. Instead of taking long baths every day, opt for a quick shower. On appliances such as the washing machine or dishwasher, use eco programmes that save water and only switch them on when you are able to load the entire appliance. Give up washing just a few clothes or washing a few plates crosswise.
We can also save energy when doing everyday things such as vacuuming or cooking. Try to cover your pans with a lid so that your food cooks faster and you use less electricity or gas. Also pay attention to how you use white goods and white goods. If you often leave the charger plugged in, change this habit as soon as possible. Don't just unplug your phone after charging, as the cable (even when not plugged in) draws electricity from the socket. Also, don't leave your hairdryer plugged in if you're not using it. The TV can also consume a lot of energy, so if you have trouble falling asleep during a movie, use the automatic switch-off option. These are a selection of actions you can take today to change your habits and start looking after our environment.
It is worth paying attention to what ecology teaches us - saving energy is not only a lifesaver for your wallet, but also for the environment. So make sure you use less electricity, especially if you are an entrepreneur and have a large production company.
