Energy and human life:

Energy represents stored work in any form. Energy can be transformed from one state to another. For example energy stored in chemical form of say petrol is converted to mechanical energy  in an automobile. Similarly energy stored in a hydel reservoir is converted into electrical energy in a hydel generation plant. The same after trasmission to the desired location will get converted into heat in a water heater or a mechanical energy in a fan or a light energy by using an electric bulb.

Human activities have increased manifold as the civilization progresses and the increased human comforts have neccssitated an ever increasing energy consumption. The changes in life styles and behaviour patterns have lead to an ever increasing energy usage in many forms. The energy used by humans is in many direct forms like electricity, gas, petrol, diesel. Energy is also used by human beings by consuming things which calls for usage of energy in an indirect form. For example usage of processed food, machine processed clothing, appliances, and a host of other items leads to an increased activity of production, storage and transportation of all these items.  A lot of energy is used in the above activities and processes leading to an increased global warming.

Global warming and Climate Change:

The link between global warming and climate change is well understood and has been agreed upon calling for steps to reduce global energy usage which is called energy conservation or energy saving. Global warming refers to the warming of the earth's surface based upon worldwide temperature records. Global warming is the combined result of human caused emission of green house gases as well the chnages in solar irradiance. Climate change refers to changes in the long term climate related factors like temperature, precipation etcimages/new

Causes of Global Warming

In the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report scientists conclude that "warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea level" and, furthermore, they conclude with "very high confidence (at least a 9 out of 10 chance of being correct) that the globally averaged net effect of human activities since 1750 has been one of warming" of the Earth's climate system.

The need to reduce global warming.

To prevent the long term damage to the delicate balance of the earth's atmosphere and with a protect the life forms on earth we need to take urgent steps to minimise the factors causing global warming. This is referred to as Energy conservation or energy saving.

The forms of Energy conservation or energy saving:

conservation is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used in every spheare of human activity. It may be achieved through efficient energy use, in which case energy use is decreased while achieving a similar outcome, or by reduced consumption of energy services. For example by using an efficient Air Conditioner in a room we may ensure the same comfort by using a lesser energy. Similarly we can also use the Air Conidtioner for lesser time by opting to turning it OFF when no body is present in the room. The end result is a reduciton in the energy usage. This can be practicised in many areas of human activity leading to energy saving. The practice of energy conservation or energy saving calls for a detailed study of various human activities and in exploring various avenues of reducing the use of energy. Energy conservation or energy saving is also acheived by opting for substitute materials or processes to meet the human needs leading to a lesser usage of energy. For example by opting for using of  materials with lesser carbon foot print in construction we can reduce the overall impact on climate. It represents a shift in the thinking of mankind to protect the mother nature.