The Green Life
how to be energy conscious within the home, at school, at restaurants, and other public facilities
I don't feel the effects of climate change. Why should I care?
News flash. You are!
Wildfires in California are becoming increasingly common. Arid and humid conditions have caused wildfires to reach higher elevations and spread faster. Our summers continue to become progressively hotter. Our vibrant, orange sunsets are unfortunately pigmented by pollution and smoke left behind my fires.
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observed increased in global temperature during the summer and fall
We are the problem. We are the solution.
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Sweden
Reducing our energy consumption is not an easy task. America is an industrially booming nation. Consumerism clouds are ability to realize that we do not need all that we purchase. Shein, a well known fast fashion brand, popularized by its cheap prices is an unsustainable source of clothing. Overproducing items of low quality provide for high carbon emissions, overconsumption of resources, and heavy reliance on oil. Understanding the environmental practices of our producers is one key step to becoming energy conscious ourselves. In fact, Switzerland is one of the greenest countries in the nation because they are taught to be environmentally conscious at school. Sustainability is embedded into their school curriculum. Citizens are encouraged to engage in environmental conscious leisure activities as well: biking, hiking, and learning about how to conserve nature are just a few.
How to be energy conscious. 9 easy tips.
- Perform a Home Energy Audit Increase your awareness regarding how much energy your home uses to locate leaks to be fixed and other areas in which you can reduce your energy footprint!
2. Invest in Energy Efficient Home Tech
- double pane windows reeduce heat loss
- window shades, shutters, screens, awnings
- smart thermostat
- low e cotaings reduce heat gain since they reflect more light
3. Implement Smart Power Strips
- vampire energy is responsible for $100 costs per resident in US
- these turn off power when electronics are not in use
4. Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water
It minimizes the heat energy used to clean clothing and ensures a longer lifespan for your clothes!
5. Plan Your Kitchen Layout Efficiently
- refrigerators need “breathing space” to release hot air which is a part of the cooling process and when they do not have enough space, they use more energy to carry out that process
- separate heating and cooling equipment
6. Lights Off During Afterschool Hours
- many schools have the lights & the AC on after student hours
- 47% of energy is used in space heating but turning off the lights after student hours will reduce that number significantly
7. Unheated Dryers in Public Bathrooms
Dryers that implement forced air use 80% less energy than those that use hot air.
8. Install Flow Aerators in Home Kitchens and Restaurants
Hand washing sinks don’t need high GPM flow rate so flow aerators will reduce the money and energy of high pressure facets.
9. Sustainable Agriculture
precision farming, agroforestry, & sustainable crop rotation
Climate Change on a Map
Lakes shrinking due to severe droughts
It's about more than just the environment. It's about the people too.
Water Pollution vs Race
Trubelco workshops delve into the sector of energy justice. Reckless energy consumption practiced by the wealthy affects the impoverished and low income families. Our hap hazardous actions trickle down into less fortunate communities whose difficult day to day lives are complicated by the energy crisis. Changes in food production, higher consumption prices and changes in rural incomes affect the poor.
I became invested in environmental work as a teenager when I realized it was an issue of social injustice.