Energy Efficiency & Conservation
What's the problem?
As global populations soar and countries become more advanced, our demand for energy and resources continues to rise at a high rate. This demand has mostly been met by the use of non-renewable resources, such as petroleum, natural gas and coal. While burning fossil fuels like these releases energy, it also releases harmful gasses —carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone— that exacerbate climate change. Our greatest hope is to replace or at least decrease the use of fossil fuels in order to limit their environmental impact all the while still meeting our energy needs. Sustainable innovation and development of our industries and infrastructure (UN SDG 9) will greatly help us in doing so. This is integral in meeting UN SDG 7: ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. According to the US Energy Information Administration, 79% of all US energy is still produced by burning fossil fuels. This means we still have a whole lot of work to do!
Why should we care?
Earth could suffer greatly if we don’t shift from non-renewable to renewable sources. We depend on five main energy sources: natural gas (34%), petroleum (35%), coal (10%), renewable energy (12%), and nuclear electric power (9%). Most of these sources release greenhouse gasses. Moreover, each stage of their extraction and processing can pollute drinking water, cause sinkholes, and release dangerous gasses. This threatens environmental and public health. These negative consequences also have inequality implications. Health issues linked to fossil fuel pollution, for example, disproportionately affect low income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities.
What can we do?
To solve this problem, we as a society should work towards a fossil fuel phase-out by conserving non-renewable energy sources and becoming more reliant on renewable energy. To make our energy use eco-friendly, we can begin by changing our individual habits. Turning off lights and electronics when not in use is an easy start. In South Florida, air conditioners use the most electricity in homes. As such, we can look into investing in a programmable thermostat or simply raise the temperature a few degrees. Doing so can save significant energy and money. These habits (turning off electronics, switching to LEDs, etc.) can be implemented by schools, leading to a more energy and cost efficient campus. On a larger scale, we can support companies who are reducing their fossil fuel usage. We can also push for large institutions like universities to divest from fossil fuels and make shifts to more sustainable energy practices. To see big changes like these, it is important to have conversations with family and friends about how to make our habits more energy efficient!
Green Schools Challenge Activities:
STE(A)M Activity - Electric Vehicles, Are We Ready?
CREATE YOUR OWN - Submit Lesson Plan click here
Points for participation will be based on a rubric. Download here.
