Energy Use Down Due to Recession
A recent study was done by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory that asserts Americans are using less energy in 2009 than in 2008. The main attributing factor: The Recession.
Energy use tends to follow the level of economic activity, and that level declined last year. At the same time, higher efficiency appliances and vehicles reduced energy use even further. As a result, people and businesses are using less energy in general.
Reducing energy use is such an easy way to reduce our monthly bills. It’s a shame that people only use less energy when forced to cut back their spending. Just because we aren’t forced to cut back our costs doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be concern with our energy consumption.
Another point that was mentioned in this study is the reduction of coal as a fuel source. Luckily it was renewable energy sources and natural gas that filled the void. There’s no real surprise wind and solar were on the rise with the various energy credits being provided by the government.
We can only hope that as the economy recovers, people will continue to conserve energy and there will be a continued support to move to renewable sources of energy.
Comments
Yeah let’s hope that this time around they learn for the better. I guess though that’s just human thinking… when they have “alot” and the wealth is plenty most humans are wasteful, but during the hard times we can save. Interesting huh?
Till then,
Jean
This is an interesting study. I don’t buy the explanation that it is all because of the recession though. Solar technology has improved and come down a lot in price. Also more awareness has been given to environmental issues. Many companies jumped on the green bandwagon just as a PR move. I also wonder how much that energy usage changes based on how hot the summer is and how cold the winter is. Weather trends could play a big part.
If only people use renewable energy earlier, it would really make a difference now.
It makes sense that the energy usage would be down because of the recession. I wonder how energy usage will fair in 2011.
- Robert