Dr. N. Munal Meitei
Environmentalist, presently working as DFO/Chandel,
email-nmunall@yahoo.in
“Fire made us human, fossil fuels made us modern, but now we need a new fire that makes us safe, healthy and durable.” – Amory Lovins
October 1, the first Wednesday is observed as World Energy Efficiency Day since 2016 creating awareness campaign to make less energy use, save money and reduce pollution. Energy efficiency is the “first fuel”, and the rational use of energy.
This day addresses the global challenges of climate change, resource depletion and environmental degradation by promoting energy conservation and sustainable practices among individuals, businesses and communities. It emphasizes that energy efficiency doesn’t require lowering our quality of life but rather learning to maintain it while minimizing harm to the environment.
The day aims to improve health and comfort and cut climate pollution and strengthen energy security as domestic energy contributes nearly 20% of our greenhouse gas emissions. Energy is no longer cheap or invisible. Rising utility bills hit families directly, and extreme weather linked to climate change is putting more stress on the grid. The good news: solutions exist today that anyone can use.
As a savings, sealing air leaks and adding insulation can cut heating and cooling costs by 15%. Every bulb not in used means less fossil fuel burned. The widespread adoption of efficient lighting and appliances could cut carbon pollution by millions of tons each year. Using less energy reduces reliance on imported fuels and stabilizes local supply. LEDs use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer.
When one person makes a change, the people around them follow. Campaigns grow when individuals become advocates. Schools, businesses and governments are encouraged to host workshops, distribute flyers and organize community-wide pledges.
Energy efficiency is not a trend; it’s the backbone of a resilient, affordable, low-carbon future. Every rupee saved on bills helps families, every ton of emissions avoided helps communities and every upgrade creates jobs. Efficiency also buys time while cleaner technologies like wind energy, solar and storage expand.
The concept of eco-friendliness is a necessity. The classic motto “reduce, reuse, recycle” remains one of the most effective trash reduction processes. Reusing everyday products like bags and bottles, recycling materials like paper, plastic and glass, and cutting back on unnecessary spending all help to conserve the environment and ease the burden on landfills. Replacing single-use plastic bottles with stainless steel ones prevents hundreds of plastic items from ending up in the ocean annually.
One of the major sources of carbon emissions is transportation. Choosing to walk, cycle or take public transportation can enhance your health in addition to lowering emissions. Another sensible move is to carpool. Cycling and bike-sharing systems making environmentally friendly and time saving transportation more accessible than ever.
Reducing waste and overproduction can be achieved by practising minimalism, purchasing only what we need, choosing long-lasting products and supporting ethical firms.
Individual decisions are strong, but they have a greater effect when we motivate others. Promoting environmentally beneficial behaviours at work, school and in community places has a cascading effect. The message can be disseminated by holding awareness events, writing about sustainable living, or enticing peers to participate in sustainability challenges. Professionals must always improve their skills in this area since education is at the core of long-term transformation.
Looking ahead, the future of energy efficiency is shaped by continuous innovation and technological advancements. Artificial intelligence is optimizing energy usage in real time; smart grids are enhancing electricity distribution and energy storage solutions are improving reliability and resilience. The circular economy is becoming more relevant, encouraging businesses to rethink resource use and minimize waste through innovative design and recycling strategies. As we approach 2030, energy efficiency will remain a critical pillar in global sustainability efforts, shaping the way we power our world.
Energy is among the most critical components of infrastructure, economic growth and welfare of nations. The potential for energy savings in India is estimated to be around 23% in the industrial sector, 17% in the buildings sector and 9% in the agriculture sector. From a rank of 63 in 2024, India has now slipped to rank 71 on the Energy Transition Index (ETI) towards fossil fuels to clean energy.
Manipur faces frequent power outages and relies heavily on imports of electricity from neighboring states. The development of indigenous renewable energy sources can mitigate this dependency and provide a more stable and efficient energy supply.
The benefits of energy efficiency are vast, but these benefits can be seen when energy efficiency creates jobs and strengthens local economies. Energy efficiency is the cleanest, fastest and most cost-effective choice to meet country’s energy needs and cut air pollution. Now is the time to support for energy efficiency in our local communities and nation.
