Sustainability Myths and the Truths Behind Them
Myth or truth? Many have a few misconceptions about the idea of sustainability, which prevent them from living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. We look into the renewable energy industry, some sustainable practices and beliefs, and the truths behind them.
- Coal can be clean
Fact: The process of and chemicals used to clean coal–separating the nitrogen oxide element, removing gasification effects, and cleaning minerals and impurities from coal–generates the same carbon emissions as burning it. - Solar energy isn’t a consistent and reliable energy source, especially when it rains
Fact: There is always going to be a lot of sun. Solar relies on the sun’s irradiance to function. Even when it is raining, a solar PV system will still generate a percentage of its normal energy production. - Solar energy is pricey to maintain
Fact: While the cost to invest in a solar PV system can be pricey, powering a home with solar allows for up to 60% savings on electricity. These savings are more consistent once a resident becomes part of the country’s Net Metering Program. - Wind energy takes years before investors see profit
Fact: The upfront costs of installing a wind turbine can be pricey, but the average wind farm gets its return on investment within 3-5 months. - Wind turbines are noisy
Fact: Wind turbines are normally built more than 750 meters away from developments. Even when standing within 750 meters, the buzzing sound heard from a wind turbine is similar to that of a refrigerator’s. - Electric cars are slow
Fact: The birth of Tesla’s electric sports car models have proved that EV’s can be faster and have a sleeker design. In fact, Tesla cars can accelerate from 0 to 60 kilometers per hour in just 2.3 seconds. - Renewable Energy is just a fad
Fact: With the United Nation’s SGD goals to provide clean energy, sustainable communities, and improve the well-being of all, among others–more and more companies are practicing circularity to help promote sustainability. Beyond the economy, sustainability has become a lifestyle as the world strives to lessen its carbon footprint on the planet. - Living in the city doesn’t require an eco-friendly lifestyle, since there are no natural habitats in an urban community
Fact: Even without rainforests physically present, an individual’s lifestyle and carbon footprint in the city can affect natural habitats. For example, city dwellers tend to use a lot of plastic. According to Biological Diversity, plastics are known to kill 100,000 marine animals every year, and take 500 years to properly decompose and disappear from the environment. - There’s no such thing as a “green job”
Fact: The world is starting to be more conscious and trying to reverse the negative effects of climate change. In line with this, many occupations have been created to help foster sustainable communities. In fact, 4.5 million jobs will be created by 2025 to help achieve the United Nations SGD goals. - Green living is for tree huggers
Fact: Green living is a lifestyle that everyone should practice. It is not just for tree-lovers. Anyone who makes the conscious choice to buy an eco-friendly product is already a green advocate. - Hand washing the dishes is more eco-friendly than using a dishwasher
Fact: This would have been true many years ago. However, many energy saving appliances have been invented since then. At the same time, washing the dishes in bulk in a dishwasher conserves more water. - It’s hard to make a big difference without investing in big renewable energy technologies
Fact: Purchasing a rooftop solar PV system, a wind farm, or an electric vehicle isn’t the only way to live an impactful, eco-friendly lifestyle. Simply walking a mile to a destination can prevent 400 lbs of carbon emissions from being generated. Turning off the lights can avoid 160 lbs of coal from being burned every second to power a home. Remembering to recycle saves un-decomposable materials from building up in a landfill, thus spilling over into a lake or the ocean. Every small act of sustainability counts.
There are many sustainability myths, but there is only one truth: we all need to start making a change in our daily lifestyle to protect and conserve our world today. To read more about other eco-friendly practices, visit us at www.buskowitz.com.