Buildings Account for 40% of Energy Consumption

Buildings Account for 40 Percent of Global Energy Consumption Pointing to measures that can be taken in homes and workplaces to ensure energy efficiency and savings, which play a major role in sustainable living, Environmental Health Programme Instructor Hasan Ateş stated: "Approximately 40 percent of global energy consumption occurs in buildings." Noting that energy sources are finite and that careless use of these resources leads to irreversible consequences such as climate change, İzmir Kavram Vocational School Environmental Health Programme Head Instructor Hasan Ateş emphasized that maximum attention must be given to energy use and shared information on energy conservation and clean energy. Stating that buildings account for approximately 40 percent of global energy consumption, Instructor Ateş drew attention to applying individual energy conservation methods in homes and workplaces, saying: "In Turkey, 25 percent of total electricity produced is used for lighting purposes. Given these consumption patterns, we must change our energy consumption habits and do everything we can to achieve savings."

Measures for Energy Conservation

Discussing measures to be taken to achieve energy savings, Ateş said: "When we look at what needs to be done to use energy efficiently and conservatively, we should prefer vehicles that use less fuel and cleaner fuel with lower emissions. We should prioritize railway and maritime transport that consume less energy. We should prefer rail systems in both urban and intercity transportation. We should make an effort to use nature-friendly vehicles such as bicycles. We should pay attention to living in well-insulated buildings. In our homes, we should prefer low-energy-consumption, energy-efficient state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly electrical machines and appliances. We should ensure the use of appropriate combustion systems for heating. We should make greater use of daylight for lighting. We should unplug electrical appliances when we finish using them. We should not unnecessarily open and close refrigerator doors. We should choose bulbs that consume less electricity. We should take care that water does not flow unnecessarily from taps. We should avoid buying unnecessary products and clothing. We should turn off lights in our rooms that are burning uselessly. Most importantly, since energy and raw materials are required to produce a product, when we separately collect recyclable waste such as paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal at the source—in homes, schools, workplaces, shopping centers and similar places—and ensure their recycling, we not only save the energy and inputs required for their production but also contribute to the country's economy," he said.

We Must Raise Awareness on Conservation

Noting that in recent years efforts have been made toward sustainable energy efficiency and savings as environmental protection awareness has grown globally, Ateş stated: "While energy conservation aims to reduce the amount of energy used, energy efficiency should aim to reduce energy use while meeting demand without decreasing the quality and quantity of production. Inefficient use of energy brings with it a number of problems, including rapid depletion of resources, deterioration of the environment and health, and energy dependence of countries on external sources. Unless we change our production and consumption patterns, we will not be able to leave a more livable and healthier world for future generations. In this context, we should emphasize the importance of energy efficiency and conservation, raise public awareness on these matters, and initiate and support investments and projects that will promote energy efficiency," he said.

Resources Are Not Infinite

Noting that energy is an important part of life that enables living organisms to sustain their lives, Ateş expressed his thoughts on this matter as follows: "With advancing new technologies, businesses are able to carry out their production activities thanks to energy. Energy can generally be produced from renewable and non-renewable sources. Fossil sources such as coal, oil and natural gas are our non-renewable energy sources. These resources, formed as a result of various reactions undergone by plant and animal remains that lay beneath the earth's surface for millions of years, are unfortunately being depleted day by day. Furthermore, as a result of using fossil-based fuels, harmful emissions such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere, damaging the environment and health. The release of these emissions leads to atmospheric events such as climate change. Instead of fossil sources, we need to turn to renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, wave and biomass energy, which are more environmentally friendly and healthier for living things and our planet. All countries of the world turning to renewable energy sources is an important step for future generations to sustain healthy lives."