Energy waste?

Question

Everywhere I go, shops keep their doors wide open and the heating on. When I ask, the staff say that it is policy, to make the shop more inviting. I have even heard staff complaining about the draft.

On a few occasions, I called head office (e.g. Waterstones, Pret a Manger) but every time they say that yes maybe but yes but no and that sort of pathetic corporate nonsense. And my local councillor tells me there is nothing anyone can do to stop people and businesses wasting energy.

Thanks to our waste of energy, and the developing world's increase use of energy, in the long term I am really not too worried. Energy will become so expensive that conserving it will become a necessity. Still, I do not see the point of wasting energy right now.

Can anyone think of a constructive way of making these shops stop wasting energy? Thanks for the advice.

Answer 1

You are correct in that if we don't increase energy production, prices will go up and conservation will naturally ensue.

To keep this from happening, we must continue to explore for more supply and innovate.  In our free markets, it won't be long until we're zipping around on hovercrafts or zapping between pods like Brundlefly.  (I know - obscure cultural reference - but I love the movie The Fly...)

Answer 2

The ever popular boycott with possible media attracting protest/sit in etc.. Otherwise, there would have to be a study done and sent to coorporate indicating no increase in patronage ( or better yet a decrease in such ) between facilities managing resources responsibly and those who do not. Good Luck and God Bless.

Answer 3

Everyone's definition of 'waste' is different.  For example, since there is no law, and will be no law, to prevent shops from doing what you've described, YOU have wasted energy simply by using computer bandwidth and electric power to have your little diatribe.

Perhaps we should petition to restrict the Internet from self-styled dictators who would decide what's best for everyone else.  Of course, that also would be a waste, but apparently it's a waste in which you would approve.

Answer 4

Energy can only be considered as being wasted when much of it is available and no adequate use of it is observed.  Like in the case in my country, we hardly have energy talk of wasting it.  The only thing commonly visible is the air polution with generating plant of individuals strongling to generate energy for their own consumption.

On other hand, if those shop in your area are prone to energy waste, then let the government take necessary action to ensure users are made to conserve those energy for further uses especially if much tax is being paid for those energy, those shop owners will devise a way to reduce their consumption in haste to avoid payment of heavy light bill.

Answer 5

Start a petition at 10 downing street to stop energy waste by shopkeepers.

http://www.google.com/search?q=10+downin...

Answer 6

While appreciating your concern on conserving energy, one thing is certain - that is, people are really not serious about conservation.  They take it for granted that mother earth can keep on feeding them till her b*****s get dried up like siberian desert.  Fossil fuels like oil, coal and water are not infinite.  One fine day our delicate earth will simply throw up its hand and say "sorry - I do not have any more to give you".  Then our future generations will be literally "power"less. Let us not keep on talking about why others are not doing. Let us start a movement even if it is at micro level and spread the good word later. Do not expect technology to come to your rescue.  Have a look at the following solution which I had presented to the World Bank which has appreciated the same:

    Knowingly or unknowingly we are all partners in misusing of costly electricity for our lighting purpose during day time when the solar light is available just outside our windows. Why can't bring home the sunshine?

Yes. This has been successfully adopted by a number of people in Bangalore, India. This innovative but simple method of bringing home the sunshine was suggested to the World Bank as a Grassroots Initiative for Preservation of Natural Resourcs during IDM-2007 competition - Project U-SEE (Unlimited Savings of Electrical Energy). U-SEE does not involve any nano technology nor does it requires billions of dollars for implementation. Moreover, U-SEE you get free lighting for life. No charges.

The World Bank honored this initiative and has created a permanent blog on the World Bank URL at http://dmblog.worldbank.org/mirrors-can-... and then click on India DM 2007

How is it implemented? U need a house hold mirror of 12"X18" and a pillow. Identify where u can get maximum sunshine just outside the windows with clear glass or on the balcony, keep the pillow on a stool or chair and place the mirror on the pillow, go on nudging the mirror till the solar light is deflected from the mirror, through the window and on to the white ceiling inside your home. U will be surprised to find the light spreading from the ceiling - it can be 40 to 60 watts (see the picture above - notice tube light and table lamp in the corner are not burning but there is enough light). If u can keep a bigger mirror, u will get more bright light. U can control the light just by covering a portion of the mirror.

Earth moves on its latitude. When u find that the deflected solar light is moving elsewhere, just go to the mirror, nudge a little and u can get back your light as before. THIS IS THE BASIC IDEA and once u have done it, u be the Innovator of your light requirements for your home and U-SEE PROVIDES YOU FREE LIGHTING FOR LIFE. Many homes/huts in rural areas in developing countries do not have proper lighting and people are living in dark, damp and dingy environs but urbanites living in concrete jungles in cities with tinted glasses are misusing electricity for their lighting purpose even during day time.

U-SEE the Benefits: ONE incandescent bulb/tubelight burning for 6 hours during day time consumes 7 units of electricity in a month. If half the world can adopt U-SEE and switch off one bulb for 6 hours during day time, how much of electricity can be saved? Your guess is as good as mine + saves cost of fossil fuels, coal, water+saves cost incurred for machineries and equipments+saves overhead charges+saves transmission loss charges+saves the world from global warming (burning bulbs/CO2 etc) with n'th value+ U GET FREE LIGHTING FOR LIFE with n'th value. The savings that accrue can off set the load on our productive requirements like A/c, refrigerators, mixies, fans etc.

Solar light will be available at least for about 200 days in a year and it is infinite and why should we let it go waste? We are not harnessing this infinite energy. U-SEE is ssoo simple.

First adopt this method, innovate solutions if u face small problems. U be the winner. U-SEE It is a win win situation for all of us. Need clarifications, mail: [e-mail] U-SEE - The author's ambition is to spread this friendly initiative to one and all. No charges!!

Vasanthkumar Mysoremath, Bangalore, India

Answer 7

advise them of the average cost to heat the property!

Answer 8

I think you are right to be concerned by fossil fuel depletion.  But it is also leading to global warming and there is a danger of huge social and economic upheaval from both going critical simultaneously.

You are right that eventually shortages will lead to price increases which will choke off demand and waste but probably not until the global warming damage has become irreversible.  The economic and social  consequences of heading full speed into an energy crisis are also hugely threatening.

It is my belief we need to stop waste and simplify our life styles quickly so that we can make a soft landing instead of a crash landing.

I am glad you have been tackling stores about their irresponsible and short sighted behaviour.  Keep it up and you will succeed, particularly if you draw attention to it in local and national newspapers.  Stores are getting more sensitive to social responsibility issues but it does take time.

Best wishes and don't lose faith

Answer 9

Not much we can do.  It's capitalism.  While they may not be using slave labour, they are taking advantage of the environment.