INTRODUCTION

THE IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY IN DAILY LIFE

Resendential energy use : Basic energy uses include heating and lighting homes, watching television, washing clothes, using appliances, cooking, and working from home on laptops or computers. Residential energy use accounts for nearly 40% of total energy consumption globally. Waste is also highest in this category, which can be attributed to a lack of public education on how to conserve energy.

Factors influencing energy consumption The number of occupants in a home, the types and efficiency of appliances, personal lifestyle choices, and seasonal needs all affect a household's daily electricity use
Specific appliances From refrigerators to washing machines, appliances significantly contribute to overall energy usage. In 2020, water heating, lighting, and refrigeration accounted for 25% of total annual home energy use. The remaining 23% was for devices such as televisions, cooking appliances, clothes washers and dryers, computers, and streaming devices

TYPE OF ENERGY

RENEWABLE & NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY

RENEWABLE ENERGY

WHAT IS RENEWABLE ENERGY?

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. It is also called as sustainable energy because it comes from sources that are constantly and naturally renewed .

WIND

Wind energy is a form of renewable energy that comes from the movement of air. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy, which is then transformed into electricity using a generator.

SOLAR

Solar energy comes from the sun's radiation and is a renewable, sustainable energy source. It is captured using solar panels, which convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic (PV) effect.

HYDROPOWER

Hydropower (or hydroelectric energy) is a renewable energy source that generates electricity using the power of moving water. It is one of the oldest and most widely used sources of clean energy.

GEOTHERMAL

Geothermal energy is a renewable resource derived from the Earth's internal heat, produced by the planet's formation and radioactive decay. It can be harnessed for direct heating, cooling, and electricity generation, particularly in tectonically active regions where hot water and steam are accessible

BIOMASS

Biomass can become a nonrenewable energy source if the biomass feedstocks, such as crops or wood, are not replanted as quickly as they are used

NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY

Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will run out and will not be replenished in our lifetimes. Most nonrenewable energy sources are fossil fuels: coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

Most of these non-renewable energy are preferable because it is not inexpensive to extract. However, extracting those energy can cause harm to the environment. This is because some of it releases toxic gasses, pollutant or carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a gas that keeps heat in Earth’s atmosphere, a process called the “greenhouse effect.” The greenhouse effect is necessary to life on Earth, but relies on a balanced carbon budget.

For a visual understanding of energy efficiency in solar thermal energy, consider the following video:

SAFER ENERGY, HEALTHIER PLANET

Energy has been essential to human progress, but it also has negative effects on health and the environment. These impacts occur in three main ways:

1. Air Pollution: Fossil fuels and biomass (wood, dung, charcoal) cause millions of premature deaths each year due to air pollution.

2. Accidents: Mining and extracting fuels, transporting materials, building power plants, and maintaining them all come with the risk of accidents.

3. Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Fossil fuels are the biggest source of greenhouse gases, which drive climate change. In 2020, 91% of global CO2 emissions came from fossil fuels and industry.

While all energy sources have impacts, fossil fuels are the worst for human health and the environment. The best solution is to switch to low-carbon energy sources, like nuclear or renewable energy, which are safer for both health and the climate.

Aligning Sustainable Practices with Faith

From an Islamic perspective, the discussion of safe and clean energy sources aligns closely with the principles of maqasid al-shariah, particularly hifz al-nafs (preservation of life) and hifz al-bi’ah (protection of the environment). Islam emphasizes humanity's role as stewards (khalifah) of the earth, responsible for safeguarding the well-being of all creation and maintaining the balance of nature.

AVOIDING HARM

The use of fossil fuels, which leads to air pollution, accidents, and greenhouse gas emissions, causes significant harm to human life and the environment. Islam teaches that actions leading to major harm must be avoided, in line with the principle of "la darar wa la dirar" (do no harm to yourself or others).

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP (HIFZ AL-BIAH)

The Quran repeatedly reminds believers that the earth and its resources are a trust (amanah) from Allah. Polluting the environment through harmful energy practices violates this trust. On the other hand, adopting cleaner energy sources like renewables or nuclear energy reflects an effort to preserve the earth and its ecosystems, fulfilling our role as caretakers of Allah’s creation.

PUBLIC WELFARE ( MASLAHAH)

Safe and clean energy, such as solar or wind power, benefits society collectively without imposing significant risks to health or the environment. This aligns with the principle of "al-maslahah al-ammah" (securing the public good).

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC : JUSTICE

Islam stresses equity and justice, including providing fair access to resources like clean energy. Transitioning to clean energy can reduce environmental injustices, protect vulnerable communities from climate change, and promote global equality in energy access

In summary, Islam encourages the pursuit of energy solutions that are safe, clean, and sustainable, as they uphold our responsibilities toward Allah, humanity, and the environment. Moving away from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy sources is a practical and ethical step in fulfilling this divine mandate.

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