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. This exponentially increasing demand has mostly been met by the conversion of non-renewable resources, such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal, into usable energy. While burning fossil fuels like these releases energy, however, it also releases harmful gasses -- carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone -- into the atmosphere, exacerbating the effects of climate change. Our greatest hope is to replace fossil fuels, or at least decrease our dependence on them, in order to limit their environmental impact while still meeting our energy needs.. Sustainable innovation and development of our industries and infrastructure, as dictated by the United Nations in their Sustainable Development Goal 9 (shortened UN SDG 9), are essential in this pursuit. This is doubly integral in fulfilling 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 will suffer greatly if we don’t shift from non-renewable to renewable sources. We depend on five main energy sources to fill our energy needs: petroleum (35%), natural gas (34%), renewable energy (12%), coal (10%), and nuclear electric power (9%). Most of these sources (4 out of 5) release greenhouse gasses. Moreover, each stage of their extraction and processing can pollute drinking water, cause sinkholes and other hazards, and release yet more dangerous gasses, all of which threaten environmental and public health. These threats also don’t affect all communities equally. 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 instead becoming more reliant on renewable energy. We can begin by changing our individual habits. Turning off lights and electronics when not in use is an easy start. In hot areas like South Florida, air conditioners are a major drain of electricity in homes. Raising the temperature a few degrees, or investing in a programmable thermostat, can save significant energy and money. These habits (turning off electronics, switching to LEDs, etc.) can also be implemented by schools to create a more energy- and cost-efficient campus. Taking a step further, MAST@FIU’s Biscayne Bay campus installed a high-tech solar canopy, which provides shade for the students while also reducing the school’s carbon footprint and saving them an estimated $5,500 a year in energy costs. On a larger scale, we can support companies who are actively reducing their fossil fuel usage, and push for large institutions like universities to divest from fossil fuels and make shifts to more eco-friendly 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 - Where Does Our Electricity Come From?
CREATE YOUR OWN - Submit Lesson Plan click here
Points for participation will be based on a rubric. Download here.
