If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch the documentary, Kilowatt Ours – a Plan to Re-Energize America, by filmmaker Jeff Barrie, then you’re not serious about energy conservation.
According to Barrie’s documentary, the issues are not only about energy consumption, but also the effects on air quality by the way energy is produced.
One kilowatt-hour is equal to one pound of coal, and according to the Tennessee Valley Authority, more than 60 percent of Tennessee’s electricity is generated from coal-fired power plants. Tennesseans are consuming more than 1,300 kilowatt-hours per home each year.
People are not aware that this country is still burning coal to generate most of its electricity, and in doing so are creating serious consequences to the environment and human health.
“TVA burns about 40 million tons of coal a year,” Barrie said, “which results not only in increased air pollution, but advances the problems of global warming, mercury contamination and childhood asthma.”
In fact, asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases among children today. The American Lung Association estimates that 4 million children under 18 years old have had an asthma attack in the past 12 months.
Asthma is also the most common cause of school absenteeism due to chronic disease.
And while asthmatic children must be a major cause for concern, so should the overall quality of our air and the hazards associated with it.
America is slowly and systematically choking itself to death, and we seem to have forgotten that there are other alternative energy sources available.
There is sunlight, wind and geothermal power, all naturally occurring, and every effort should be made to harness these forms of energy in our fight to reduce air pollution.
But what about those who are still using electricity generated from coal-fired power plants?
What can the average person do to reduce pollution?
They can start by turning off those lights and electronic devices that are not being used.
And by turning these items off, two things happen.
Energy consumption, as well as pollution is reduced. By switching lights and electronic devices off when not in use, a savings of about $65 annually is realized and reduces the need for coal by 720 pounds.
Imagine how much coal would not be burned if every home in Tennessee applied this simple energy saving step this year.
We would all breath a little bit easier.
For additional information about Kilowatt Ours visit www.KilowattOurs.org.

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