E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management
E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management Vol. 6 (1) pp. 0179-0197, January 2015; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2141-7466
Energy use and improvement in industry, buildings development and environment
Abdeen Mustafa Omer 1 *1 Energy Research Institute, Nottingham NG7 4EU, United Kingdom
*Corresponding Author E-mail: abdeenomer2@yahoo.co.uk
Accepted 6 January 2015
Abstract
The use of renewable energy sources is a fundamental factor for a possible energy policy in the future. The move towards a de-carbonised world, driven partly by climate science and partly by the business opportunities it offers, will need the promotion of environmentally friendly alternatives, if an acceptable stabilisation level of atmospheric carbon dioxide is to be achieved. Globally, buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of the total world annual energy consumption. Most of this energy is for the provision of lighting, heating, cooling, and air conditioning. Increasing awareness of the environmental impact of CO2, NOx and CFCs emissions triggered a renewed interest in environmentally friendly cooling, and heating technologies. Under the 1997 Montreal Protocol, governments agreed to phase out chemicals used as refrigerants that have the potential to destroy stratospheric ozone. It was therefore considered desirable to reduce energy consumption and decrease the rate of depletion of world energy reserves and pollution of the environment. One way of reducing building energy consumption is to design buildings, which are more economical in their use of energy for heating, lighting, cooling, ventilation and hot water supply. This article discusses the potential for such integrated systems in the stationary and portable power market in response to the critical need for a cleaner energy technology. Anticipated patterns of future energy use and consequent environmental impacts (acid precipitation, ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect or global warming) are comprehensively discussed in this paper. Throughout the theme several issues relating to renewable energies, environment and sustainable development are examined from both current and future perspectives.
Keywords: Energy, environment, sustainable development, global warming
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