Renewable energy sources help to a certain extent in reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. It helps to mitigate the effect of green house gases. There are three classifications: first generation, second generation and third generation. The first generation includes geothermal power, bio mass combustion, heat and hydro power. The second generation includes wind energy, solar energy, developments in bio energy and solar photovoltaic. The third generation sustainable energy sources include bio refinery technologies, biomass gasification, solar thermal power concentration, ocean energy, hot dry rock geothermal energy and possible advances in nano technology. The third generation techniques are still in the stage of development and hold a great deal of promise.

Studies have proved that wind energy and battery electric vehicles are the best in cost efficiency and issues related to global warming. The others are solar energy, tidal power, geothermal power, tidal energy, wave energy, coal, nuclear power and bio fuels. Hydro electric plants among the first generation have proved to be enduring. The emissions are low as compared to other forms. The energy from these plants is sustainable, clean and cost efficient.

Geo thermal power is limited to certain geographical areas but the costs have dropped considerably over the years. Use of bio mass briquettes is being encouraged to avoid the use of charcoal in developing countries. People are becoming increasingly aware of solar and wind power and continuous developments are being made to improve the techniques used to tap this power. Governments and private enterprises are taking steps to develop the third generation sustainable energy sources so that the dependence on fossil fuels is reduced.

Sustainable design or development is a concept that has gained prominence in the recent past out of the realization that resources that were previously thought inexhaustible are being diminished at faster rate than they are being replenished. One clear example of this trend is the use of fossil fuel; rich economies gobble billions of gallons of diesel to run their industries depleting the natural reserves, damaging the environment and the ozone layer through carbon emissions. Attempts by the rich countries and the emerging economies to reach a compromise between economic gains and sustainable designs have often been met with criticism than support.  The ailing Kyoto protocol and the just concluded Durban Climate talks are such examples.

Sustainable design encompasses reducing waste disposal to reduce negative environmental impact, advocate for use of recyclable materials and reduce the production of non biodegradable solid waste. Types of sustainable designs include sustainable urban planning, sustainable agricultural practices, eco friendly energy sources and efficient water harvesting and use techniques among others.

These are not the only ways to practice sustainable living and things like solar energy panels are also easy ways to become a part of the sustainable living movement. Although solar panels are expensive to purchase originally they will make up for this in free power from the sun. When these are hooked up to your home you will sell the power produced back to your power company and the savings will show up on your bill. There are also free standing solar panal generators that can be used in emergency power outage situations or even on camping trips.

Another neat idea that is becoming more popular is the use of used vegetable oils for  driving diesel powered cars. There are simple conversion kits that hook up to your car and filter the oils and prepare them before use. This is another example of sustainable living that incorporates the use of recycling products. Many restaurants must pay to have these oils hauled away so it might save them money as well to donate the used oils to you.

Many of these ideas cost money to get started with but will end up saving you a good chunk of money in the long run. These ideas also help save our earth from our continued abuse. This means you could be part of the solution to saving our planet and also save money in the process.