Environment and Energy
Nothing Works Without Energy
Todays modern world is largely characterized by industrial technology, global trade and worldwide traffic. Added to this in the last few decades is the communication and information network spanning the world.
All these achievements and our lifestyle are based on a nearly unlimited supply of energy. A good one hundred years ago, electricity made its way into the lives and work of those living in Germany and changed both fundamentally.
The massive use of fossil fuels does not, however, remain without consequences. Our resources are finite, and our environment changes when large amounts of greenhouse gases and pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere. We cannot ignore this.
It is time to utilize energy both more purposefully and efficiently.
The modern world is unimaginable without energy
Without using energy in the form of electricity, heat and to drive motors, our life would not function as we know it. We have come to take energy for granted in such a way that only an electricity blackout can clearly show us how much we have become dependent upon an unobstructed supply of energy.
Where do we obtain our energy?
Fossil fuels are the most important forms of energy in Germany. Brown and black coal (lignite and anthracite), mineral oil, natural gas and atomic energy cover our energy needs coming from industry, households and traffic. Renewable energies have only played a subordinate role, albeit a significantly growing one.
Our resources are finite
We use energy in two ways, as electricity or as heat. All processes are fundamentally based on burning our sources of fossil energy, the fuels. Our natural resources are, hence, limited. In fact, the reserves left are alarmingly small.
What do we need energy for?
Energy is not always just energy. The needs of industry, services, traffic and private households differ greatly. Energy is needed for heat, warm water, illumination and, above all, for mechanical energy.
Act instead of wasting!
For work and production, traffic and home life, we expend energy. Thereby our personal habits and life style determine how much energy we use. Each of us contributes to this, hence our personal responsibility corresponds to the amount we use.
We are rethinking
We obtain electricity and heat predominantly by burning primary sources of energy. Indeed, fossil fuels create emissions that influence the climate and are harmful to our health. The more we save when using them, the better.
