Why Should We Save Energy? 4 Reasons You Must Know

To reduce the negative impact of global warming and climate change, you must understand how to save energy in addition to lowering carbon emissions. Then, why should we save energy? This article explains the crucial reasons for saving energy, along with the benefits. So, read this article until the end!

Why Should We Save Energy?

Did you know? The benefits of saving energy are not only for our Earth but also for human beings. Then, why should we save energy? Here are some reasons and benefits of saving energy:

1. Reducing Carbon Emissions

The first reason is to reduce carbon emissions. Saving energy is critical because energy must go through a series of processes before it can be used.

These processes, especially when burning fossil fuels, can produce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. In fact, the International Energy Agency (IEA) confirms that in 2024, the amount of carbon emissions related to energy will increase by 0.8%.

As a result, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached 422.5 ppm in 2024, which is 3 ppm higher than in 2023. Furthermore, the IEA also noted that carbon emissions from fuel combustion increased by 1% in that year.

Uncontrolled increases in carbon emissions can certainly exacerbate climate change. Increasingly extreme climate change can cause severe heat waves, droughts, floods, storms, and even large fires.

Therefore, as human beings, we need to take concrete steps to conserve energy, whether at home, at school, or in our surrounding environment.

2. Saving Energy for the Future

It is important to know that wasting energy means wasting resources. Most of the energy we use now comes from nonrenewable energy that takes a long time to renew itself. Therefore, we must save energy to ensure that the supply remains for future generations.

3. Saving Outcomes

Saving energy also saves your outcomes. You can reduce the electricity bill every month when you lower the use of fans, ACs, lamps, and other electronics.

4. Increasing Air Quality

By saving energy, you can reduce the carbon emissions that cause air pollution. In general, air pollution contains dangerous pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and methane. The smoke and ash from the combustion process are also harmful to human health.

How to Save Energy

There are many ways to save energy to achieve the benefits mentioned above, such as:

1. Reducing the Use of Cooling and Heating Devices

Did you know? Cooling and heating devices contribute actively to carbon emissions. Our World in Data noted that in 2022, global carbon emissions from heaters (including room and water heaters) contributed 4.17 billion tons of carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, global carbon emissions from coolers (mostly air conditioners) reached 1.2 billion tons in the same year.

Global Carbon Emissions from Heating and Cooling

Therefore, you need to use air conditioners and heaters wisely. To reduce the use of heaters, you can wear warm clothes indoors and set the heater temperature low enough.

Then, use air conditioners and space heaters only when the room is in use. Do not turn on these appliances when the room is empty or unused to avoid wasting electricity.

2. Using LED Lamps

Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lamps are one of the energy-efficient lighting options available to you. LEDs are considered more efficient than incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent lamps.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that LED lamps can save 80% to 90% more energy than incandescent lamps. Furthermore, LED lights can save 50–60% more energy than fluorescent lights.

This is because LED technology can convert electrons into photons very efficiently, is more durable, and has better dimming and optical control capabilities.

Moreover, LED lights also have a smaller environmental impact than other lighting options due to the application of a circular economy in their product cycle.

3. Removing Power from Unused Electronics

It is important to know that electronics have standby power, which is the energy released when the devices are in standby mode (the devices are off, but the cable remains plugged into the electric plugs).

So, make sure to unplug the cables when they are unused to save on your electricity bills and to protect the environment.

4. Using Public Transportation, Bicycle, or Walking to Your Destination

Vehicles are one of the contributors to carbon emissions, leading to pollution. Statista noted that in 2022, global carbon emissions from cars increased by 1.4% to 2.53 billion metric tons. From 2010 to 2022, the increase reached 12%.

To reduce the use of owned vehicles, you can use public transportation or bicycles, so you can still travel without producing a lot of carbon emissions. You can also walk instead of riding a motorcycle. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, cycling or walking can also improve your health and fitness.

5. Cutting Down Your Water Usage

The more you spend water carelessly, the more wastewater you create. Thus, use water more wisely by turning off the water tap when finished using it and using enough water for bathing. Saving water is not only good for the environment but also helps you save on your monthly water bill.

That concludes the information about why we should save energy and how to do so. The efforts we make in saving energy can reduce carbon emissions that lead to climate change.

Regarding carbon emissions, Chandra Asri Group, as #YourGrowthPartner and a chemical, energy, and infrastructure company in Southeast Asia, has made many efforts in reducing them, such as using Enclosed Ground Flare, implementing energy-efficient programs, monitoring the nitrogen oxide level, and so on.

So, there is no reason not to save energy, whether as an individual, an organization, or a company, for the sake of environmental conservation and human life.