Low Energy?!

Some mornings when getting up the level of my energy is not at its peak. In fact, the resting place looks majorly attractive – just a few more minutes rest, please, with the hope that maybe then my body will tell me how well it feels and how it can’t wait to enjoy this new day.

I purposefully led you down a different path than what this article is about, as there are connections.

What I really wanted to talk about is the energy we use individually. And low energy use is probably in the center of transitioning to a reasonable, efficient use of energy in our lives. Comparing the levels of energy use from the lowest energy users in the world to the highest, is eye opening. It ranges from .03 million btus per capita (Chad) to over 2000 btus per capita (Gibraltar). The US is with 334 btus at the 192nd highest place of a total of 206 countries that were included in the International Energy Annual 2006 report (2006, energy information administration).

There are several things to consider when reviewing ones personal amount of energy use:

  • Everyone’s situation is different, size of family, health, climate, etc.
  • What level of comfort does one need or can do with?
  • How fascinating is it to figure out ways to reduce energy consumption?
  • How satisfying would it be to change lifestyle and only minimally losing comfort, but increasing quality of life?
  • How much energy do I use currently?
  • How can I save energy?

In terms of the energy itself, the quantity, quality and type of it is as important as the “energy equation”. This equation reflects the units of energy needed to produce one unit of it (EROEI, energy return on energy invested). If for example we would need 2 kw of electricity to produce 1 kw, sooner or later this wouldn’t work.

If you look closely how the developed world functions, it becomes clear that it is dependent on ample supply of energy. Would the flow of energy be interrupted for any length of time, the system would collapse quickly. At a time where we experience the instability of many global systems that ensure our current way of living, energy is critically important. To live sustainable, to live green and be thriving, the issue of energy, how much we need, from where it comes, what it costs and how renewable, locally available and owned it is and more questions need to be addressed. Even though this might be sounding daunting, there are many different ways to address the energy question.

One first step could be to find out and measure how much energy one uses. We will get to some options soon.

And how does this all relate to my lack of energy in the morning? By using more energy than I have or by not supplying to my body the optimal amount, quality and type of energy, including not sleeping enough, my energy is off balance, which affects me. There are many parallels we can draw to what is happening in regards to the use of energy in a home, of a person, a community or the world.

If you have any suggestions, comments or remarks , please share below!