While the majority of energy solutions considered today involve somewhat advanced technological approaches (photovoltaic cells for solar power, harnessing the wind and waves with elaborate systems to generate electricity, etc.), it’s a wonder that the simplest of ideas is so often overlooked. Though it is obviously important to continue to develop these other great technologies, the cost of many of them is still  prohibitive for many in both developed and developing countries. Though most Mediterranean countries and many others use solar hot water as the standard, most places still use natural gas and electricity, often while debating the benefits of developing technologies that are years away from the market. They also often ignore or are unaware of the fact that the mundane process of heating water can now be carried out using direct heat from the sun instead of natural gas combustion or some other process that involves a wasteful conversion of energy. Heating water is very energy intensive, and meanwhile one very abundant source of energy does it very well…at a considerably lower cost.

As we confront issues of sustainability and energy use in the midst of a global downturn, it is important to remember that value should be the guiding principal. To be able to do the most with what we have is the key to most of the issues we face in our daily lives, and it is important to maintain this same focus when dealing with the large, complex issues we face. The way we heat our water might not be the most exciting thing to consider while waiting for the hydrogen car, but the fact is that in California, we can offset the carbon emissions of over 3.6 million vehicles if half of us used a solar water heater. Now that the government has caught on to this fact, solar hot water is very affordable, meaning that we can start offsetting the carbon emissions of millions of cars just by shifting to solar water!!!!