Reduce – Reuse – Recycle

The best way to save energy is to follow 3 simple rules: 1) reduce anything you can, such as the amount of trash or water you use; 2) reuse as much as possible, like plates and silverware; and 3) recycle a lot, like paper, bottles, and cans. if you follow these simple rules, it's easy!

Sun Heat

Summer is almost here, and that means swimming! My family owns a pool. It would take a lot of energy to heat the pool in our backyard. Luckily, we have the sun to do that job for us. It saves us a lot of energy and money. Even if you do not have a pool, you can still use the sun during the summer. Saving energy can occur when you keep the windows open to let in cool air, or hot air, depending on the temperature inside and out.

Top Ten Tips to Save Energy

According to About.com, these are the top ten tips to save energy.

1. Setting Your Thermostat-Install a programmable thermostat compatible with your heating and cooling system. Make sure to set it comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer.




2. Lower Your Water Heater Temperature- Follow the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees farenhiet.




3. Using Power Strips-Plug your electronics into power strips. When turning off these electonics, power down using the power strip to prevent stand-by mode from drawing electricity unnecessarily.




4. Washing Clothes or Dishes- Follow the full load guideline. Never use the dishwasher or washing machine unless it houses a full load.




5. Power Down Computers and Monitors- Turning off monitors and computers when they are not being used can save energy and do not damage the computer.




6. Drying Dishes-Air dry dishes rather than using the heated drying cycle.




7. Washing in Cold Water-Wash your clothes in cold water. This decreases heating bill and is better for your clothes as well.




8. Use Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs-These lightbulbs do not use less energy but they do last longer.




9. Take Showers-Take short showers instead of baths. Also, use cold water to take a shower.




10. Look for the Energy Star Label- Buy products that have an Energy Star label.

http://www.saveenergy.about.com/

Water Saving Methods

Here are some methods to save water:

• Throw the old water from a pet's bowl onto trees and plants instead of dumping it down the drain.




• Wash your pets on the lawn to water the lawn and wash your pet.




• Make sure fountains, swimming pools, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.




• Set a kitchen timer for when you are watering your lawn so you do not overwater your lawn.




• Soak pans and pots instead of using running water to wash them.




• After steaming foods, use left over water to make a soup or cool down water to drink it to get your eight glasses of water.

www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php

Energy Saving Methods

Here are some methods to save energy:

• Ensure outdoor lighting is off during the daytime.




• Clear out your car; extra weight can decrease gas mileage.




• Cover hottubs when not in use.




• Remember, it pays to invest in energy saving. Try to install solar panels to save money and save energy.




• Don't buy a refridgerator or a freezer that is too big for your family's use.




• The microwave uses 20% less energy than an oven so heat your food in your microwave.




• Recycle your printer's toner cartidges.




• Use fans to cool your home instead of overusing your AC to cut on electricity in your home.

www.savewithces.com/365in2008.html

The rooftop Eco system

After realizing that the temperature was permanently going up, Chicago got a brilliant idea... put up infrastructures on skyscrapers. These won't be enough to stop it altogether, but it will help. If more cities could put more money int putting these kinds of things up, then the atmosphere would just be a wee bit cleaner. We could even make these on houses, apartments, and even service buildings. If we have them on apartments, it would make a great place for people to hang and encourage them to not be using the computer or whatever else they're doing.

More at http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2011-05/preparing-climate-change-chicago-adapting-itself-warmer-weather

Submarines?

By Mallory Coats

There are many things on land that are energy efficient but what about energy efficiency underwater?

Submarines can't hold enough fuel and they are under water so they can't use solar power, and not very many use hydro power, so what do they use?

They use nuclear energy! And they have a recycling system so they don't dump nuclear waste into the ocean! so it's like an endless supply of awesomely epic energy!

Energy Saving Tips

Here are some energy saving tips:

• Use rechargalbe batteries, instead of disposable ones.




• Use rags and hand towels instead of paper towels and napkins.




• Plant leftover Christmas trees in your backyard.




• Refill your bottles of water and continue to use them to reduce the use of plastic bottles.




• Use public transportation.




• Recylce your engine oil.




• Collect rainwater to water plants after the rain stops.




• Try to wait to turn on lights until the sun officially goes down and it is dark.




• When you are on vacation, turn your thermostat down to 60 degrees.

www.savewithces.com/365in2008.html

energy shoes

Did you know that you could do your part in saving the earth by the shoes that you decide to wear? Not only are you able to buy shoes that are made in energy efficient factories and sold in energy efficient stores, but also some shoes are softer on the concrete so that sidewalks don't have to be replaced as often.

Eco Friendly Hotel!

By Rhyan Montgomery

The Whitepod Resort in Les Cerniers, Switzerland has an interesting eco-friendly concept that has not been seen in hotels before.The resort hotel rooms are located in small white pods. The aim of the Whitepods is to create a suistanable way of tourism that helps guests be connected to the nature surrounding them, but have minimal impact on the environment. There is a limit on water usage and electricity is barely used because of the wooden stoves and oil lamps. They try to use as much local and suistanable materials and fuels as they can. The resort also tries to educate guests on how to preserve the environment. The rooms even have organic bedding! This resort allows you have a comfortable vacation, connect with nature, and also keeps you aware of minimal impact you are having on the environment and the energy you are saving!

Sources:

http://www.envirogadget.com/

Some Ideas that Occurred to me That could Work

I know that this may seem far fetched, but maybe instead of burning coal, we could use animal feces. We wouldn't end up depriving plants of their deserving food, because not everyone uses feces to feed their plants. Another far fetched idea could be to use recycled newspaper to put in the center of doors rather than metal, because newspaper is a better insulator than metal. Or paint buildings white for in the summer to help keep the heat off and have black tarps to use in the winter that cover your roof.

U.S. Energy Milestone

The U.S. is reaching incredible milestones when it comes to electric vehicles. They have to date installed over 1800 electric vehicle charging stations. This was marked by the 500th installation of the ChargePoint electric vehicle charging station in Los Angeles. This was the latest in the Thirty seven million dollar ChargePoint Ameica program. The program hopes to provide 4600 public and home charging points this year. By 2013 they hope to have installed 22,000 residential, commercial, and home charging points along wiht the deployment of 13,000 electric vehicles.

http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/4097/

Potato Power

by Ivy Long

This could be a magic formula for the future power generation. scientists are now testing an organic electric battery based upon potatoes. These are eco-friendly batteries based on the hidden power of the potato. Potatoes with low electrical power are used for lights. Not only potatoes have the power to do this some other vegetables may also have a lot of electrical power.

Solar Powered Keyboard

By: Rachel Skillicorn

Normal keyboards, as everyone knows, rely on rechargeable batteries and they have to have a wall charger to make them work. Now all you have to do to keep it going is place your keyboard in a sunny place so you don't have to change the batteries frequently. This is another smart invention.

Energy Efficiency Battles

Five million bulidings in the U.S. are responsible for 20% of the nations energy use and greenhouse gas emmisions. These cost nearly 100 billion dollars annually. Energy efficiency improvements are helping to save energy, reduce harmful emissions, and protect the health of Americans. It has become a competion between many companies to see who can be the most energy efficient. This competition is called "Battle of the Buildings". 26 different types of commercial buildings, some of which are over 100 years old, have been included in the contest. Competitors have the ability to share strategies and ideas through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Out of the 245 competitors, a select few will be chosen as finalists in July. In November, the building with the highest reduction of energy use will be recongized as the winner.





BY RHYAN MONTGOMERY :-)

The Greenest Cities in America

By Kaila Thieman

The greenest states in America might have surprised you, but what about the greenest cities in America, and what makes them enviroment friendly?

The top ten greenest cities are:


Chicago, IL


Portland, Or


Seattle, WA


Washington,DC


Atlanta,GA


San Francisco,CA


New York City,NY


Grand Rapids,MI


Los Angeles, CA


Boston,MA

These cities each have to show that they conserve water, use green resources, use some soloar power, and save energy in other ways. Denver, Colorado is number 19 later down on the list.

Door Snake

By:

sawyer

A door snake goes under your door or window and blocks the cool or warm air from escaping or entering your house. It keeps your energy bill down and saves a lot of money. It also saves energy by using less of it. The "Door Snake" is cheap and effective. It helps save money and energy.

Green Bedroom

By Mallory Coats

Many people are talking about energy effiecent homes but they never seem to focus on specific rooms like living rooms or bedrooms. Here are some ways that you can make your bedroom green.

1. Paint it green. duh


2. make sure your walls have good insulation


3. use natural or compact fluorescent lights


4. install a ceiling fan


5. make sure your windows don't leak air ... caulk them.


6. use organic cotton bedding

Energy Awareness At School

A way to get energy saving awareness at school is by putting posters all around the school. There's many different designs you can play around with. If you're creative and use bright colors then it will draw attention to your poster and will get people interested in the point you're trying to get across. This strategy also works at work too.

Walmart Solar power

by Ivy Long

Walmart is taking steps into the fields alternative energy. In 2007 Walmart joined the enviormental defense fund. Walmart was hoping to have thin film solar panels. the advantage of these solar panels are they are less costly ,are light weight ,and easy to put up.