Carbon Emissions

Today, in our atmosphere, there are 370 ppm (parts per million) of carbon dioxide. You may wonder what that means; well, in the year 2000, there was 6.5 million tons of this stuff released into the atmosphere. That's a 32% increase since before the industrial revolution. Our means of transportation generate 24% of that, electricity generation takes up 42%, industrial processes take up 205, and lastly commercial uses make another 14%. So, we should all do our part to help reduce that. Simple things like riding a bike to work or walking to the grocery store can help. Even just recycling can help reduce such enormous emissions. Bring your own re-usable bags shopping. It's really easy, and just these little things can help you live a happier, healthier life style.

http://www.earth-policy.org/index.php?/indicators/C52/carbon_emissions_2002

Passive Houses

More and more people have been changing their houses to be energy efficient. But other people are changing their houses to be something called Passive Houses. Energy Star Homes save 20-30% more energy than normal homes. Passive Houses save around 60-70% more overall energy.These are amazing houses and very easy and useful. Citation:www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/passive-house-zm0z11zphe.aspx

The Greenest states in America

By Kaila Thieman


Which states do you think are the greenest? The top enviroment-friendly states might surprise you.

The top states are:

Vermont

New york

Washington

Oregon

Minnesota

California

Nevada

New Hampshire

Massachusetes

Maine

Hawaii
All of these states have high recycling rates and a low carbon rate. Colorado rates #13.

Info from: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/04/vermont-greenest-state-in-u-s.php

Volkswagen Car More Efficient Than Electrical Car

Volkswagen has recently come up with a new fuel efficient car! It is being sold in China and it sells for 4000 Yuan which is equivalent to $26,000 U.S dollars. This car gets 258 miles per gallon and it has a 1.7 gallon tank capacity. It travels 404 miles with a full tank. This car would be good for commuting and it will probably be known as one of the most efficient cars in the world. Although it is pricey you will make up the money within the year (gas after all is very high cost). This car is amazing and I can't wait for it to come here to America!

Recycling Everyday Items

by Tori Riggs





There are many different things you can recycle and reuse in everyday life. Some of these are:

Turn old milk cartons into bird feeders. Birds honestly don't care if they have a fancy feeder or one made of a carton. Just cut the milk cartons, hang them, and fill them with seeds for the birds to eat.

Organize with tin cans. You can wash out tin cans and cover them with different colored paper. These cans make great containers for pencils, crayons, paintbrushes, and other art supplies.

Reuse old paper. Use the reverse side of paper for kids' art projects as well as notes for later. You don't have to get rid of paper just because it has words or markings on it, so you can use it for many other things.

For more information, please visit http://www.howtodothings.com/home-garden/how-to-recycle-everyday-objects

Getting ready for school

By Mallory Coats





People often take the energy they use for granted but do you realize how much energy the average person wastes? Lets show the consumption on a small scale by showing how much the average American teenager uses while getting ready for school.

1. They use electricty to keep their alarm clock running

2. Their phone is usually charging.

3. They wake up and turn the lights on.

4. They take a shower

5. They may use a hair dryer and or hair curler.

6. They turn on water to brush their teeth.

7. They turn on another light in the kitchen.

8. They use the toaster/oven/ microwave

9. They may watch some TV

10. Many get a ride to school

Electric Plane

By: Rachel Skilicorn

This plane is a major gas and money saver. By having a lot of things rely on a combination of rechargable properties that connect to the motor and that connecting to a generator, this machine provides an endless amount of energy to either the propeller or a compressor for the thrust. This also has the same things as normal planes, but this way you are saving money and helping the environment be a better place.

http://www.smithengine.com/Electric%20Plane%20Cover%20Art_pictureframe.html

Pepsi Bottles Go Green!

The Pepsi Company is one of the leading beverage companies in the world. During the last year, it has been focusing on natural energy resources that use soil, water, and power. They have also been focusing on useful ways to use these components. The Pepsi Company has recently been the first to create a plasic bottle made from only renewable and plant-sourced raw materials. The bottles leave less carbon trace on the planet. Soon product waste like orange peels, potato peels and oat hulls that come from their own food buisness will be used to make these green bottles. They look exactly the same as the old Pepsi bottles, but are 100% recycable and very Earth friendly!

Source:
http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/

Nuclear Power

by Ivy Long





Nuclear power is sustained nuclear fusion. Nuclear power can generate heat and is useful for other jobs. Power plants, ships, and submirines use nuclear power to heat water and produce steam. Nuclear power is used in 6% of the worlds energy. One problem is it can cause serious injuries and sometimes DEATH. So don't try to mess with nuclear power kids it can cause DEATH.

SWEEP

The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project or SWEEP promotes greater energy efficiency in six states including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. The program was founded in 2001 by Howard Geller who was an executive director for Energy Efficiency in Washington D.C. Sweep focuses mostly on utility energy conservation. Later transportation conservation was added. SWEEP is helping promote energy efficiency in the most booming states of the United States at this time.


For more information on SWEEP go to:
http://www.swenergy.org/

Good News for Countries With Less Money

For all those countries that aren't quite developed yet and don't have quite as much money, there is some good news headed towards your direction. There have been new inventions that could capture fog and keep the water. We could turn this into drinking water for countries that aren't as rich as others.

more info at http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-04/new-fog-harvesting-devices-could-provide-clean-drinking-water-worlds-poor