Recap: Greener Days Style

Well folks, its about that time. We've been blogging for the past 4 or 5 weeks and giving you our take for becoming a greener planet. We were the ones that got ourselves into this hole and we're the ones that have to do our part to prevent anything else from happening. We have tried to have specific topics of weeks that we emphasize how we go green with a specific topic.We have covered Water usage, Electricity, Trash and Resource Depletion. These topics have been our own that we have come up with to try and put our little twist on to make a different effort to go green in these ways and prevent more harm against the Earth.

We have learned that this is crucial to our environment. Going green has been very positive, but we need more people to be involved. We have learned with Dr. Stasz, this book entitled Eaarth by Bill McKibben that the Earth is a ticking time bomb that is waiting to explode and vanish. He also goes on to say that this planet we live on, currently is not the same Earth, but a totally different place. We think that there is hope and we will be able to bring change to our environment. Throughout these 5 weeks, we have been going away from the normal advertisements of going green and doing our own thing. We want to take the initiative and be creative with ways to turn the environment green. We want to show the facts about these topics to give people the real world perspective of how bad our environment truly is. We hope that we were able to convince you on going green and doing your part to helping this Earth become a better place for our future. Adios, Goodbye, Ciao, it's been real. Thanks for following us on the journey!

B. L. J.= Greener days gang!

Plenty of Fish in the Sea? Think Again.

Plenty of Fish in the Sea? Think Again.

When you think about environmental issues such as the depletion of our natural resources, what comes to mind? Oil, minerals, and our planet’s forests probably come to mind first, but what about are other natural resources that are being depleted? Have you ever heard the phrase “there’s plenty of fish in the sea”? Well due to extensive overfishing of our earths, that is not necessarily the case anymore.

            Overfishing is simply the taking of wildlife from the sea at rates too high for fished species to replace themselves and it is rapidly causing aquatic species to become depleted, endangered or even extinct. At the moment, the fisheries for the most sought after species like orange roughy, Chilean sea bass, and bluefin tuna have collapsed to that point that the species are now on the endangered species list. Did you know that more than 70 percent of the worlds fisheries are “fully exploited”, “over exploited” or “significantly depleted”? In addition, the techniques to get these and other highly fished species across the globe are destructive due to their being unselective practices and using gear that often captures and/or kills non-target species while in the process destroying marine habitats on the sea floor. For example, bycatch and discards are unwanted marine species caught while fishing for another species and are often thrown back dead after capture. These practices are highly disruptive to the food chain which also affects species that are not directly affected by fishermens nets or dredge nets by removing their source of food or their habitat which causes them to compete with other species for food and protection.

            But what is causing this obscene amount of overfishing in the past few years? Two words people: supply and demand. Fish and shellfish make up one of the most diverse and delicious sources of food for the human population and now that it is readily available in grocery stores and at relatively low costs compared to past generations, there is an even greater demand for fish and shellfish than ever before. However, seeing as the majority of the population is not willing to sacrifice their fish-fry Fridays for the sake of replenishing our oceans, what else can be done to stop the depletion of our oceans natural fisheries and the destruction of our marine ecosystems? According to National Geographic, “Many scientists say most fish populations could be restored with aggressive fishery management, better enforcement of laws governing catches, and increased use of aquaculture (the farming of aquatic organisms in order to cultivate new populations of species under controlled condition where they are most likely to thrive).” In other words, fisheries need now more than ever to abide by safe catch limits by placing controls on bycatch and to avoid fishing in parts of habitats that are important to the creation of new species such as spawning and nursing grounds. But there are still doubts whether even these measures will be successful as illegal fishing and unsustainable harvesting are still major issues in the fishing industry. Now while the majority of the population are not commercial fishermen, as a n individual you can try to prevent overfishing from continuing to occur by being informed on the subject and passing along the word, and knowing what you eat and how it is being fished from the sea. Well thats all for now folks, but we hope to see you and all the fish in Greener Days!

Sources:

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/oceans/overfishing/

http://overfishing.org/pages/what_can_I_do_to_help.php

http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/critical-issues-overfishing/

           

Farming in the Works

Farming in the Works:

Are you proud to be an American? It seems that recently The United States has been spotlighted for issues that have not always represented our country in the best of light. From government issues and immigration laws to global trading policy and infrastructure, our country has been ridiculed and a source of controversy to other countries all over the world. However, have you ever stopped to think about what parts of American life are admired by other countries? If we have anything to be proud of it is our film industry and our agriculture industry. While the film industry provides pleasure and entertainment, our American agriculture industry provides a necessity to not only Americans but also people all over the world. That necessity is food.

Our American agriculture is noted worldwide for its high productivity, quality, and efficiency in delivering goods to the consumer. With over 2.2 million farms covering an area of over 922 million acres, American agriculture is a large industry that shoulders the job of feeding the country. From small organic farms to large commercial farms, farmers and ranchers are constantly trying to find ways to increase crop or meat yield and create new ways to manage pests. While the majority of our farmers and ranchers go about their business with the upmost of morals concerning their impact on the environment, there are still other measures that can be taken to further reduce their impact on the environment while not sacrificing the health and efficiency of their products…….

Agriculture and farming is such a vital part of our society and well-being and yet the majority of the population knows little to nothing about the subject. Therefore The Greener Days crew would like to make y’all more knowledgeable about the link between American agriculture and its impact on the environment. We would then like you to use this knowledge to challenge our farmers and ranchers to do better by the environment while still producing the best quality of crops and/ or meat. Do you think this sounds too harsh? Think again- these people are made of the toughest breed and if they can battle elements such as the rain and sun, they will welcome your claims with open arms.

So, next time you go to the supermarket to buy some corn, steak, and potatoes for that perfect hearty American meal, consider where these products came from and how their production impacted the environment. Do a little research on the companies from which you usually buy and see how they manage their livestock grazing, for example. Overgrazing can expose soils, increase erosion, and reduce the filtration of sediment necessary for building stream banks, wet meadows, and floodplains. If farmers and ranchers are adjusting their herds grazing intensity, keeping their livestock out of sensitive areas, and revegetating rangeland and pastureland, they are doing their upmost to reduce their impacts of grazing on water and land quality. In addition to grazing, pay attention to how farmers and ranchers manage pests. Are these farms using toxic pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide formulas that after entering water through direct application, runoff, or wind transport cause contamination, kill fish and wildlife, poison food sources for animals, and destroy the habitats of aquatic organisms? Or are the farms and ranches you buy produce and meat from managing their pests by Integrated Pest Management techniques that are low impact and catered specifically to each plot of land or livestock herd? How are these farms and ranches managing irrigation? By irrigating their crops and watering their livestock through timed practices that are designed specifically with the needs of the certain product, farmers and ranchers can avoid wasting water and by not overwatering crops, agricultural runoff can be decreased or prevented because the soil is able to absorb all the water.

Managing livestock grazing, pesticide use, and irrigation techniques are only three daily practices that farmers and ranchers can improve or change to reduce their impact on the environment while still feeding our bellies. By looking at labels and packaging and researching what farms and ranches across the country are doing to be more green, we are able to commend those that are practicing more environmentally safe agriculture services and challenge those farms that are not to rise to our standards while at the same time still thanking them for all that they do for us.

Sources:

http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/outreach/point6.cfm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_the_United_States

Caution!! Oil Consumption Is At An All-time High!

           In the 21^st century, there are two major problems that are plaguing our earth: overpopulation of the developing world and overconsumption in the developed world. It is all about resources. There are either too many people consuming few resources or a few people consuming too many resources. Any way you look at, the earth does not have enough resources to go around. Resource depletion occurs when all of the natural resources in an area, both renewable and non-renewable have been exhausted. Human beings currently use resources far more quickly than they can be replenished. There are many of the earth’s resources that have crept into the red zone of scarcity, but one that we need to turn our attention to at the moment is oil.

           

            In the 1950’s, M. King Herbert came up with the concept of Peak Oil.  According to M. Kin Herbert, “All oil fields are observed to peak and decline in output; the same process happens with entire nations. Global oil production will peak at some point as well, after which a steady decline in global oil production will occur”. With populations increasing and economic growth of developing countries, the demand for oil will increase as well and there will be less for consumption. Some negative effects of Peak Oil consumption are:

•          increased costs for the production of goods and services
•          inflation
•          unemployment
•          reduced demand for products other than oil
•          lower capital investment

Forecasts have predicted the timing of Peak Oil consumption to occur from now until 2030. With the wide range and uncertainty of surrounding the forecast of Peak Oil consumption, we need to take action on lowering oil the consumption of oil before it is too late.

           

           Luckily, The Oil Depletion Protocol was proposed by Dr. Colin Campbell, a prominent petroleum geologist and founder of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO), in 1996. This protocol is an international agreement that will enable nations of the world to cooperatively reduce their dependence on oil. By agreeing to the protocol, nations agree to reduce oil imports and exports by a specified amount each year, about 2.6 percent; signatory nations will help mitigate the negative consequences of an over-reliance on cheap oil and help prepare for a global decline in the world’s oil supply. This will produce, in effect, a global rationing system. If the entire world adopted the Protocol, global consumption of oil would decline by almost 3 percent per annum, thus stabilizing prices, preserving the resource base, and reducing competition for remaining supplies. It is time to take action now, before it’s too late.

To Read The Oil Depletion Protocol by Dr. Colin Campbell Go To: http://richardheinberg.com/odp/theprotocol

T.Y.G.

Taking Root: Stopping Resource Depletion and Moving Forward towards Living a Greener Lifestyle

"Taking Root." What do you think of when you hear that phrase? To me I immediately picture taking something by force and acting upon it. It's a very aggressive phrase if you stop and think about it. "Taking Root" is not for the faint of heart. It's for those who have the courage to seize it. The past few weeks, I've been challenging myself to "take root" and change my lifestyle by going green. As of today, May 3, 2012 at 11:20 AM, I am proud to say that I've been "Taking Root" in my daily life. It is far from easy, so I think that it's okay to share it with the world.

Thinking about the phrase "Taking Root" from a different perspective, it is also a mental challenge and not just physical. I've been battling my inner demons over going with the flow with the social norm and taking the easy path versus stepping out of my comfort zone and not giving a crap over what anyone thinks. I am also proud to say that I took the tough path. Know when I think of "going green," I don't just shrug it off and put it off for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. I've been slowly and surely adopting greener habits, which are now ingrained into my conscious. There's no way I'm going back to the way I was before.

Throwing the "status quo" out of the window and taking the rocky road were some of the themes we explored in Global class today. We watched part of a documentary called, wait for it.... Taking Root. It followed the journey of the Nobel Peace Prize winning Kenyan named Wangari Maathai. She founded the the Green Belt Movement, a grassroots non-governmental organization based in Nairobi, Kenya that focuses on how environmental conservation can help develop communities and create peace. And you want to know how the women involved in the movement did that? By planting trees. Yes, I kid you not. By helping to empower Kenyan women, the Green Belt Movement fights deforestation and helps build economic development that can help these women. Since the movement started in 1977, over 40 million trees have been planted. 


However, Wangari and the Kenyan women could not simply just plant a tree. They had to fight against Colonialism and the power struggle that was going on in Kenya in the time, along with the crucial fact that women were supposed to be submissive in society. But Wangari did not take no for an answer. She defied the status quo that had ruled the country for hundreds of years while not taking an easy path to get solutions.

Wangari Maathai "took root." Wangari Maathai took action. Wangari Maathai did not ignore the problem. Wangari Maathai fought to find a solution.


For this last week of blogging, my group wanted to focus on resource depletion. Well the way to stop resource  depletion is for YOU, YES YOU READING THIS, to "take root." I'm far from being perfect at it, but after 5 weeks, I can say that I am taking root. The tides are changing.

So my message for you is to go forth and take root in your community. It is time for you to join me in conserving what we take for granted, natural resources. Times are changing for the better, so stand up and go forth and implement that change! Don't worry, you won't be alone. I'll be taking the journey with you.

Until the next time we meet.

S.P. 

Save our Air

Have you ever stopped to think about trees? And I mean really think about them? I will be the first to admit that I never really did. Now, however, I am forcing myself to do so. Most people really believe that the world could ever run out of trees, and while it is somewhat of crazy thought, at the rate we are cutting them down, we are starting to really make a dent. And think about the consequences of losing all of these trees. Not only are we taking away the beauty that mother earth has provided us, but we are also taking away our oxygen.  Now I don’t know about you, but the last time I checked, I couldn’t last for very long without oxygen.

So here we are, cutting down all these trees and slowly extinguishing the valuable air that we breathe. And for what? Some overly large buildings that we don’t need; but that is not what I am here to talk about because, lets be honest, we personally probably can’t do to much to change that. Instead, what I am here to talk about is paper. I discussed a couple of weeks ago how astonished I was about the amount of paper we go through. But lets think about it this way, one person estimated that a single pine tree (what it seems most paper is made of) can produce 80,500 sheets of paper. That may seem like a very large number, but think about all of those large corporations that print out hundred page manuals, or all of the books you read. In retrospect, that number is probably much smaller than everyone thinks it is. Multiple trees are most likely gone through each year because we as a society has this obsessive need to print out every little bit of information on a piece of paper.

Now here is my second question. If we are a world of technology and are always advancing, why do we still feel the need to print everything out? People love the Internet, and their e-mails, so why not put them to good use? Classrooms should become 100% paper-free, everything turned in electronically. Those large corporations, instead of printing out a workers manual for every employee, shoot it too them in an email. When we buy a new gadget, have the instructions on a disk to pop in your computer instead of those booklets that no one really understand anyway. The books that we read, instead read them on those kindles that everyone is raving about.

Next time you reach for that print button, seriously think to yourself, is there any other way for me to accomplish my goal besides printing. Do this, make the right decision, and you would be helping to save one of our planets most precious resources. One that saves our lives everyday.

A.M.Y. 

It's not all about ME

I’m a water waster, I will admit it.  After I come back for a run there is nothing I want to do more than to jump in the shower with all my clothes on.  I do have slightly more self control than that, but still I spend a lot of time post work out in the shower.  I start the water cold to cool off, and then slowly turn it up till the hot water is soothing my sore muscles; the whole time not doing anything but standing in the stream of the water.  In reality I could probably be in and out of the shower in four minutes, but I stand around relaxing instead, knowing I have enough time to do so before my next class.  Does it occur to me that people may be parched in some foreign country, or that some take baths in rivers? No the only thing I am thinking about is myself; and that way of thinking cannot go on any longer.

In the eighteen hundreds people used to take baths all in the same tub with the same water.  The people bathing would take turns starting with the males and go in decreasing age order, then switching gender and repeating the process.  This was a very simple way in which they were able to conserve water.  Nowadays we know that this was not very sanitary, so I am not suggesting we do this now but there are other ways to help conserve water.  For example, whenever my family is headed out of the house my sister and I always brush our teeth first.  Instead of us both separately turning on the water we could both stick our toothbrushes under the faucet simultaneously.   This may only be a small amount of water but over time those little bits of water will amount to something larger.  Also as mentioned earlier in the blog the toilets here at Elon have a two way flush as a way of conserving water.  And they are so powerful that I rarely find the need to ever push it down.  I can assure you even saving the tiniest amount will make a difference.  I know you frequently hear people saying turn off the water when you brush your teeth and wash your face, but have you ever really done it? And would it hurt you to turn it off? Probably not.  Changing the planet and conserving its resources are things we need to work on as a whole globe, and its time to stop only thinking about our wants and needs. WE NEED TO BE IN THIS TOGETHER, because if the planet goes down so do all of us.  So in order to change I have to remember it’s not all about me.

TC  

The 'Ole Bike

The summer breeze is blowing through my hair while the early birds sing their own tune. The streets are vacant at this hour of the day, so I decide it isn't too risky to ride in the street. Although I wasn't too happy to be riding my bike to morning practice, work right after, and to afternoon practice each day, I made a promise to myself that I would go a whole summer without driving my car anywhere within riding distance. 

I have to admit, the more I rode my bike throughout the summer, the more I looked forward to it. It became my time to reflect, think, relax, and enjoy the world around me in a light I have never seen before. Plus, I became in unusually good shape after three months of riding approximately 8 miles a day, as opposed to the zero I used to ride. 

You see, it all started with the gas prices three summers ago. Their prices just kept on rising! I was lucky that my parents let me have my own car. Sure it was my dad's old one with the outside was rusting, the air conditioning not working (which is another reason I took my bike), and the radio broken, but it got me from point A to B and that is all that mattered. However, I felt guilty that I was driving to everyday places that I could easily ride my bike to. So I made that promise to myself, and each year I try to go another summer without taking my car, but I can never hold myself to it. 

Resource depletion is a huge concern in our crumbling world. Maybe not so much for our country as to others, but we have seen many prices rise due to the product's recent scarcity; and it is scary. 

Even though we got rid of the old third-family car and got a new eco-hybrid vehicle with a working air condition system, radio, and with no rust, I have decided that I am going to try, yet again, to go another summer without taking the car. And I mean REALLY try. There are some places that are too far to ride a bike to, but those places in riding distance, I am going to make sure I take the 'ole bike. 

Besides, it is about time I reflect on what I am doing with my life. What is my major again? 

M.T.C.

It's Electric: Back to the Future( Cars Edition)

I was walking to class when I happened to check out this hybrid car in the parking lot that was in the spot labeled "fuel efficient cars only" I was pretty impressed at the fact that Elon has taken a step to promote those who drive fuel efficient cars that they get the VIP treatment. Electric cars have been the focus of the future. They are cars that are supposed to run on electricity and save on using gas and fossil fuel to make the gas. Even though many car companies are experimenting with this, they have found some positive results on electric vehicles. Here are some facts about them, according to fueleconomy.gov:

Electric vehicles (EVs) are propelled by an electric motor (or motors) powered by rechargeable battery packs. Electric motors have several advantages over internal combustion engines (ICEs):

• Energy efficient. Electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels—internal combustion engines (ICEs) only convert 20% of the energy stored in gasoline.
• Environmentally friendly. EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants, although the power plant producing the electricity may emit them. Electricity from nuclear-, hydro-, solar-, or wind-powered plants causes no air pollutants.
• Performance benefits. Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation and stronger acceleration and require less maintenance than ICEs.
• Reduce energy dependence. Electricity is a domestic energy source.

EVs face significant battery-related challenges:

• Driving range. Most EVs can only go about 100–200 miles before recharging—gasoline vehicles can go over 300 miles before refueling.
• Recharge time. Fully recharging the battery pack can take 4 to 8 hours. Even a "quick charge" to 80% capacity can take 30 min.
• Battery cost: The large battery packs are expensive and may need to be replaced one or more times.
• Bulk & weight: Battery packs are heavy and take up considerable vehicle space.

However, researchers are working on improved battery technologies to increase driving range and decrease recharging time, weight, and cost. These factors will ultimately determine the future of EVs.

So as we have seen, Electric vehicles have been the future and what we need to strive for in order to become a green planet. Our focus this week has been electricity and how to make a difference by conserving it or going to alternative energy because of it. Electricity is something that we, as humans are trying to look forward to in the future. It's alarming that many of these cars are still running on gas. We must be the generation that takes that step to making change and buying these type of cars. It's nice because you can charge your car up in your own house and it will run for a long time. 

There are a lot of powerful things that Electricity can do. It is our future and we should not shy away from it. We need to accept it and do more to promote alternative energy, like electricity. Even though we want you to use electricity, conserve it as well, because it is important for our future. 

B. L. J.= Static Shock

Extreme Makeover: Green Home Edition

            There are many things that cause global warming, and one of the lesser known causes is electrical pollution. You’d be shocked to know that electricity causes pollution in many ways, some worse than others. In order to create electricity, fossil fuels need to be burned. Fossil fuels are made up of dead plants and animals. Two examples of fossil fuels are petroleum and oil. When these fossil fuels are burned, they release many pollutants into the air, water and land. Some of these chemicals are also called greenhouse gasses. The production of electricity is also responsible for:

•          63% of sulfur dioxide emissions that contribute to acid rain
•          22% of NOx emissions that contribute to urban smog
•          39% of carbon emissions that contribute to global climate change
•          33% of mercury emissions that pose significant health risks

 Petroleum, one of the sources of energy we use the most, is used for transportation and making electricity and many other things. Even it is know that this source of energy gives off a lot of pollution, it used for 38% of the United States’ energy.

           

           One of the greatest electrical users in the United States is an American home. In 2010, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 11,496 kWh, an average of 958 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month. Tennessee had the highest annual consumption at 16,716 kWh and Maine the lowest at 6,252 kWh (US Energy Information Administration). The reason for these high numbers of electricity usage comes from:

•         Turning on a light
•          Watching T.V.
•          Listening to a stereo
•          Washing or drying clothes
•          Riding in a car
•          Heating a meal in the microwave
•          Using an air conditioner

But don’t fret! There are many simple and easy ways to change our homes from energy guzzlers to the epitome of sustainable living.

            So during summer vacation or the next time your home, try some of these tips to reduce your carbon footprint and your utility bill (yet another perk of going green):

•          Hang your clothes up to dry, either indoors or out
•          Turn your refrigerator down (but not so far that you find food spoiling too quickly – that, of course, is also wasteful).
•          Invest in compact fluorescent light bulbs. If you are able, have skylights or sun pipes installed.
•          Cook outside whenever possible. Patio grills are relatively inexpensive. Or you can go to a local park or forest that has public grills or fire pits.
•          Use timers on your lamps.
•          Sweep whenever possible instead of running the vacuum cleaner.
•          Landscape with trees and shrubs that will shelter your home from the wind in the winter and provide shade in the summer.
•          Unplug electrical devices when they are not in use, especially those electronics that have a rechargeable battery (if it’s blinking, it’s using electricity).

The reality is, seven people restricting their electricity usage for the betterment of the environment can only have a limited positive effect, but a society-wide shift of less energy use can lead to significant reductions in pollution and another step forward for a sustainable planet.

For more tips on cutting down electricity in your home go to: http://www.ourgreenerlife.com/2010/10/how-to-cut-down-on-electricity-in-your-home/

T.Y.G.

Electricity: Electrifyingly Scary

Go stand outside and take a deep breath. Inhale and exhale the air. What did you think? Did you smell "fresh" air? Well if you said yes, you are totally WRONG. There is nothing fresh about the air we're breathing right at this very moment. You can thank your buddy electricity, because he has everything to do with it.


Electricity generation is the dominant industrial source of air emissions in the United States today. Fossil fuel-fired power plants are responsible for 67% of the nation's sulfur dioxide emissions, 23% of nitrogen oxide emissions, and 40% of man-made carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions can lead to smog, acid rain, and haze.


Look at this:

Can you believe that coal fueled 42% of 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of energy generated in the United States? That's trillion, with a "T"! What makes it so bad is that coal is a source of nonrenewable energy. When coal is burned, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury compounds are released into the atmosphere, into the air we breathe!

On top of that, oil and other fossil fuels are used to create electricity so that we can live by what we define as "comfortable." To make matters worse, these forms of energy are in short supply, and have been at the center of world conflicts with the Middle East, especially over the greed of oil.

Did you know that U.S. electricity use in 2011 was more than 13 times greater than electricity use in 1950? 

Check this out:

We are polluting the air we breathe by wasting so much energy and electricity for what? To just be able to stay up 45 minutes longer to catch the evening news or read a book? (That might not be why, but you get what I mean.)  It's just not worth it.

That is why it is so crucial for us to understand the importance of cutting back on electricity use. If we can unplug items when they're not in use, keep lights cut off, and not use so many power strips, then maybe our air will stop being so polluted. As we've reiterated before, the purpose of the "Going Green" team is to help save the planet, which ultimately means YOU! This means that we need to clean up the air that is a necessity for human life to thrive! Therefore, cut back on electricity use! Trust me, your lungs will thank you later.

S.P.

Power!

Electricity is defined as the physical phenomena arising from the behavior of electrons and protons that is caused by the attraction of particles with opposite charges and the repulsion of particles with the same charge. In other words, electricity is a form of power. Now while electricity is a major form of power on this planet, there is another form of power that has an even greater impact on earth. That power is oil. Oil, gasoline, fuel- these are the real powerhouses that drive our global industrial economy and its impact on earth has a magnitude far greater than that of electricity.

However, while electricity has a relatively low impact on the environment, oil is one of the leading contributors to our current environmental problems. All over the world carbon emissions from oil powered machinery is spewed into the environment, trapping heat and casing the planet to gradually get warmer. A phenomenon also called global warming that has the capacity to and has already melted glaciers, acidified the seas, and forced dozens of species into extinction. But what can we do to stop these things from getting worse?

Let’s think about it y’all- what do we as Americans living in such a mobile society do every day? That’s right- we drive. We drive our cars, SUVs and pick-up trucks everywhere. As a result, we are constantly pumping CO2 into the atmosphere through our exhaust pipes and it is taking a toll on our planet. So make some changes people, and by changes I don’t mean sacrifices, but changes for the better. So here comes a few ways to reduce the C02 emissions solely from our automobiles:

1. Carpool: A shout out to all the soccer moms out there; use those mini-vans and endless amount of cup holders to carpool with other children, parents, or families. You never know, you may even make some friends along the way, no pun intended. However this idea goes for more than just the Dodge Caravans out there, just about anyone going anywhere, to work, school, vacations, or friends houses can find another people headed in their direction. Many cities even sponsor carpooling by setting up rideshare programs that allow people to carpool in an easy, fast, and safe way. Think about how much less traffic congestion would occur on roadways if people carpooled together, and parking as well, you might even be able to find a parking spot without having to drive around for 30 minutes. Better yet, this would tremendously reduce the CO2 emissions from car exhausts and help make the planet greener and cleaner.

2. Switch it up: To all my fellow farmers out there, there was a time when revving your diesel engine was cool, but it is not today! Now y’all just look plain dumb. Diesel fuel produces far more carbon emissions than regular grade fuel because diesel is less refined and therefore thicker, dirtier, and more importantly, more toxic to the environment. So if you’re pick-up can take regular, switch and switch now. I promise you your machine’s performance will not suffer.

3. Two words: Public Transportation. Use it!!!

4. Prove the rest of the world wrong and show that Americans are not lazy by walking. Walk to work, school, a friends house, etc and you will not only be making yourself healthier but also the environment by reducing your carbon footprint in each step you take.

5. Any boaters out there? Why not stop polluting the air and water by harnessing the power of the elements. Use the power of the sun a.k.a solar panels to keep your boat afloat. Or keep your boat sailing by another one of mother nature’s gift; the wind.

6. Go for Gold!: If you really want to reduce your CO2 emissions why not just eliminate it entirely by driving one of those classy electric cars. More and more charging stations are popping up all over the country which makes it easier to be greener. If that’s too ambitious for you, why not try for the silver and consider a hybrid car in your future? Gas mileage is fantastic and while your car still does run partially on gasoline, the amount of C02 your car would emit would decrease exponentially!

Alright now, so while power is necessarily a good thing, it has bad forms as well, consider some of history’s most famous dictators and you will believe me. That is why it is a good idea to consider when there is too much power, as in the case of oil, or even more specifically the CO2 emissions it derives just from automobiles and what to do about. If you care about your life at all, which I would believe most of you as I’m guessing you’re not all existentialists, then really consider some of the above choices to reduce our carbon emissions and make our planet healthier. That’s it for now and I hope I see y’all in Greener Days.

The Phantom

Do you remember last week when we discussed my curiosity? Well this week it happened again. The result of this curiosity led me to discover this: in my own room in Brannock my roommate and I have a total of 27 outlets in our door room. Now this is obviously not just outlets on the walls, this also includes the plugs that are included in extension-cords. Nevertheless, there are still 27 places that an appliance or form of technology can be plugged in; 27 places for channels of electricity to pass. And that is just n our room alone; we must remember that we live in a suite style dorm that has four rooms. If every room has approximately the same number of outlets, that is a total of 108. That seems like a lot of electricity. And think about that on a bigger scale, like a house; that to me seems excessive.

But that is the way that our world works now a days. Everything that we love to use can’t be used unless it is plugged in and sucking up our valuable electricity. Now let me make myself clear in saying that I am not asking anyone to stop using his or her toys, it is obvious that that is unfeasible. What most people don’t realize though, is that even when these things aren’t on or being used, if they are still plugged in, the electricity is still flowing. This is known as phantom electricity. If everyone unplugged everything when it wasn’t being used, think about the amount of electricity we would be saving.

Now I understand that we can’t unplug everything; for example we obviously need to keep the refrigerator plugged in, but there are ways to prioritize what stays and what can be unplugged. While obviously things like phone chargers should always be put away since there is no reason for having them out, bigger things such as TVs are more of a question. There are devices such as Watt Meters that people can buy that measure how much electricity an appliance uses, even when not turned on. This could give you more of a general sense of what uses the most energy and allow you to make smarter decisions about what to unplug when not in use. I read one person say that when her family started doing this, they saved around $40 dollars a month on their electricity bill; so not only are you saving the environment, but you are also saving yourself money.

A.M.Y.