The main purpose of energy is to help make our lives easier. It powers our lights, provides us with heat or cool air, burns our garbage or sewage, and so many other ways. The question today is not “is there energy available” but more, “Which type of energy do we use?” I do not believe the answer is in oil or gas which most accept are nonrenewable energy sources but the answer is in solutions that have not yet been discovered, promoted or perfected.

The mentality of the public is beginning to lean towards green energy. What is green energy? Anything that is renewable and has no toxic by products. Here in Canada our utility companies are very busy searching for alternative energy sources. Its not that oil and gas are not available but that the world wide demand and the high cost are making green power the energy of choice.

In Earth House I have created dozens of links to energy options from around the world. Do we go with solar or wind, hydro, bio-fuel, fuel cells, or perhaps even cold fusion? What I find ironic is most people seem to believe there are no real choices beyond oil and gas. That is a fallacy which is creating indecision amongst our leaders. Part of the problem is, I believe, that we are limiting ourselves to one or two options. We have to expand our thinking and start seeing the tapestry as made up of various images.

What do I mean? Lets look at the typical home. Most homes in North America are using at least half a dozen forms of energy and they don’t even think about it.

1. Solar Power-Now used in most calculators

2. Batteries-Variety of types used in flashlights, watches, remotes.

3. AC Power-Powers most everything from refrigerators to computers.

4. DC Power-From starting up your car/truck to Uninterrupted power supply backup battery for the computer.

5. Furnace-Often runs on natural gas though some still use coal.

6. Fireplaces-Many still use wood to help keep the home warm

My point is that we now use a multitude of different methods of energy to make our lives worthwhile. Isn’t it time that we expand those options and expand our thinking to move outside the box? I’m not speaking of new technology but utilizing things that are already in use.

1. Miniature hydro power-Uses the power of moving water to power the faucet.

2. Geothermal-Two types-Steam generated for areas near thermal vents, volcano’s and so on. Then the more abundant energy which is in water and in the earth around us. Can heat and cool your home. This reduces the need for electricity in the home. May eventually be able to create rooms where air can be used to cool or freeze food. Also used to heat water.

3. Solar energy-This offers abundant ‘free’ energy which can be used profitably in a dozen different ways. Some include...

-heat the interior of homes using fans with south facing windows or greenhouse.

-heat water for use in showers, washing, or in radiant heaters.

-Used to power solar panels. Placed around the home, on the roof or wherever is convenient.

-Solar windows’ new feature whereby the window uses transparent solar film. You can see nature, keep cool because of its tinted feature, and use the solar film to contribute electricity to the home. The Japanese have also added solar windows that also can be used as a video screen so you can watch TV on your solar window.

-Solar furnace/oven-Has various options from cooking your food to heating water to boiling water to produce steam for heating or producing electricity.

-Solar mirrors-Used to transmit light to interior of buildings. Also known as Solar tubes

I think you get the idea. I could mention a dozen other methods of green energy. The real purpose is that we must stop looking at just one solution and see that we have a dozen smaller ones which will help us meet our demand. There is no reason that we cannot utilize sun, wind, water and earth energy in everyone of our homes. I suspect it may be expensive in the short run but the prices will drop as our options increase.