Climate change is real, just look at the trends. Weather events have dropped feet of snow and
extended the winter season in some regions. Flooding rains and wildfires have paralyzed
communities, while the number of named hurricanes and their severity have increased.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that climate change is
happening now. With every degree risen above the global average temperature, we can expect
to see a loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise, and longer and more intense heat waves. Also,
we will see an increase in more extreme weather, including droughts, and more destructive
hurricanes.
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecast a temperature rise of 2.5 to 10
degrees Fahrenheit over the next century. If we do not work to mitigate our greenhouse gas
emissions, catastrophic consequences may doom the future of our planet.
CO2 is a greenhouse gas that enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels, ultimately
leading to global warming. The irony – the increase in temperatures affects our society’s energy
needs. If the generation of electricity is the single largest source of CO2 emissions in the U.S.
(Power Scorecard), we are essentially fueling the greenhouse effect every time we turn on our
air conditioner.
Finding the Best Energy Source
Using geothermal heating and cooling can help reduce our CO2 emissions by using energy more
efficiently. Buildings account for nearly 40% of all the CO2 emissions is the United States. [2]
Using geothermal energy could reduce a building’s annual heating bill and energy usage by 50 –
70%.
Utilizing a geothermal heat pump during the cooling season can be two times more efficient than
the most efficient air-cooled heat pump units. Therefore, by using a more efficient means to heat
and cool (geothermal) our buildings, we can dramatically reduce our CO2 emissions and help
reduce future devastating consequences.
Investing in the Future
You can reduce the production of greenhouse gasses even further by utilizing Greensleeves
technology in your geothermal application. Greensleeves technology operates geothermal
systems at peak efficiencies. By using predictive and intelligent controls, Greensleeves is able to
optimize the energy and minimize the amount of carbon emissions a building would otherwise
generate.
To protect the environment, we need to employ renewable, cleaner resources. The statistics and
the thermometer don’t lie. Climate change isn’t just global warming. It’s a global warning.
[1] https://climate.nasa.gov/effects
[2] EIA Annual Energy Outlook
[3] http://www.mgea.ca/index.aspx