critical thinking report for environment
Week Nine/Ten Energy and Water
“I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out until we tackle that.” Thomas Edison
Think Global – Act Local
http:// www.energy.gov/public-services/homes/home-weatherization/home-energy-audits
Energy Efficiency
| Area | Action |
| Electronics | Turn off computers and monitors when not in use. Plug all electronic devices into power strips, and turn strips off when devices are not in use. Screen savers do not save energy. Instead, switch computers to sleep mode or turn off monitors. |
| Temperature | Lower your hot water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Set your thermostat as low in winter and as high in summer as is comfortable. Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed. During winter, keep south-facing windows unshaded during the day and shaded at night to maximize heat gained from sunlight. Avoid placing lighting fixtures or large electronic devices near an air-conditioning thermostat, as the heat from these devices may interfere with the thermostat temperature. |
| Lighting | Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Open blinds to use direct sunlight instead of indoor lights when possible. Install occupancy sensors, dimmers, or timers to lighting fixtures. |
| Insulation | Invest in insulation for walls/windows |
Product categories must contribute significant energy savings
Qualified products must deliver the features and performance demanded by consumers, in addition to increased energy efficiency
If the qualified product costs more than a conventional, less-efficient counterpart, purchasers will recover their investment in increased energy efficiency through utility bill savings within a reasonable amount of time
Energy efficiency can be achieved through broadly available, non-proprietary technologies offered by more than one manufacturer
Product energy consumption and performance must be measured and verified with testing
Labelling would differentiate products
https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlbsGxe93e8
Energy Star Certification Guidelines
Energy Efficiency in Event Production
After testing, leave equipment off until 30 minutes before use
Handle equipment/cords with care
Bigger is not better
Position equipment strategically
Reuse when possible
Turn equipment off as soon as possible
https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhenC3AvH-Q
Energy Efficiency in Catering/Food Service
| Area | Action |
| Cooking | Keep your refrigerator at 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Regularly defrost manual-defrost freezers. Make sure refrigerator doors are tightly sealed. Keep items in refrigerator wrapped and contained. Keep a lid on cooking pans to conserve heat. Do not put small cooking pans over large burners. Keep range-top burners clean. |
| Service | Buffet, French, or family-style service allows diners to choose their own portions, creating less food waste. Keep lids on buffet chafing dishes to conserve heat. |
| Cleaning | Air dry dishes when possible. Only use the dishwasher when full. Do not wash silverware, dishes, or napkins that you are sure are untouched. |
Renewable Energy Sources
| Energy | Opportunities |
| Solar | Solar PV power generates electricity with solar panels. Solar thermal power generates water heat. Solar panels create an impressive display. Let the sunshine in! Create skylights and windows to use passive solar power to light and heat a room or tent. |
| Wind | Wind turbines can provide site-specific wind energy. Turbines make a striking, powerful look on an outdoor event site. Many local energy companies offer wind power already. |
| Hydro | Hydroplants make scenic and unique venues for events run on renewable energy. Look into microhydropower solutions from either running water or rainwater. |
| Biofuel | Filtered waste vegetable oil (WVO) from deep fryers can provide fuel. Work with your local generator rental company to find generators that can run on biodiesel. |
| Human | Bicycle pedal power can generate electricity. Simple machines such as push mowers operate without electricity. Wind-up radios and other devices require only a little elbow grease. Bicycles and pedicabs are eco-friendly alternatives to cars and cabs. |
https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtXS0WyqN8s
Renewable Energy
Alternative Utility Providers
https ://www.greenmountainenergy.com /
https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/our-story/our-company-mission /
Renewable Energy - Solar
Icon Energy displays solar thermal heating technology at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.
Solar Power
Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
Solar Thermal
Passive Solar Power (daylighting)
The SolarPump, a solar-powered charging station, in use at South by Southwest 2010. Beth Ferguson, 2010, SolDesignLab.com.
Total existing solar-panel systems in US Homes and Businesses
Series 1 2005 2010 2014 20000 156000 644000
Renewable Energy - Wind
http:// science360.gov/obj/video/de111fd3-5fb6-49ae-a02f-11558b417011/green-revolution-wind-power
http://inhabitat.com/wind-energy-made-beautiful-with-these-silent-wind-tree-turbines/
Renewable Energy - Hydro
Renewable Energy - Biofuel
A biofuel is a fuel that is produced through contemporary biological processes, such as agriculture and anaerobic digestion, rather than a fuel produced by geological processes such as those involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum, from prehistoric biological matter
https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQFKYp0p8po
Renewable Energy - Human Power
Guerilla Cinema provides pedal power for a movie screening at the Take One Action film festival.
http://www.fireflycleanenergy.co.uk/media-section/videos-archive/
https:// www.ted.com/talks/monica_araya_a_small_country_with_big_ideas_to_get_rid_of_fossil_fuels#t-6134
SAFE DRINKING WATER
Which consumes the most water?
A: a 10 minute shower
B: a handful of 10 almonds
C: a quarter pound hamburger patty
D: a washing machine load
SAFE DRINKING WATER
Without water, life would not exist. It is a prerequisite for all human and economic development.
Yet today, 780 million people – about one in nine – lack access to clean water. More than twice that many, 2.5 billion people, don’t have access to a toilet.
There has been significant public attention paid to the issue of water scarcity, and for good reason. Although water is a renewable resource, it is also a finite one. Only 2.53 percent of earth’s water is fresh, and some two-thirds of that is locked up in glaciers and permanent snow cover. But despite the very real danger of future global water shortages, for the vast majority of the nearly one billion people without safe drinking water, today’s water crisis is not just an issue of scarcity, but of access.
https:// www.youtube.com/user/water
Water Efficiency and Conservation
Catering
Only use the dishwasher when full.
Scrape, don’t rinse food off dishes.
Melt ice or frozen foods in a still basin, not with running water.
Cleaning
Only use washing machine when full.
Reuse indoor cleaning water for clean outdoors.
Water Efficiency and Conservation
Outdoors
Position sprinklers strategically.
Water the grounds in the morning to reduce heat evaporation.
Do not cut grass shorter than 3 inches.
Plumbing
Detect and repair all leaks.
Adjust flush valves and install dams on toilets.
Rainwater Harvesting
| TECHNIQUE | DESCRIPTION | BENEFITS |
| Rain Gardens | Landscaped areas that absorb runoff from nearby buildings | Absorbs about 30% more water than a plain grass lawn. Reduces storm water runoff |
| Porous Pavements | Permeable substances that treat water & allow it to drain into the soil | Filters oil out of storm water. Reduces storm water runoff. |
| Green Roofs | Rooftop gardens | Reduce runoff. Increase access to plants for urban dwellers. Keeps buildings cooler. |
| Storm Water Planters | Small, contained vegetated areas that collect and treat storm water using bioretention | Filters pollutants. Provides plants in urban areas with limited space. |
| Rain Barrels | Containers that collect rain water for later use | Commercial or municipal irrigation. Reduce runoff. |