Journal: Energy Challenge

Online ENVS 100 – Module JOURNAL Assignment

Journal 8 – Energy Challenge

For at least 5 days, work on all of the following tasks. You'll need to start the week before it's due! Part A: Assessment – Due by Wednesday night + Part B: Action – Due by Friday night

Part A: Assessment – Due by Wednesday night

➢ What Contributes to My Energy Use?

• While doing this week’s readings and while completing the journalling activities below, brainstorm a list of the many different ways – big & small, direct & indirect – that you use energy*. Jot them down as you think of them! Aim for 30+ different ways. You may use websites/readings to get started (~5 ideas), but mostly use your own brain ☺ !

• Enlist your friends and family onto your Energy Brainstorming Team. Can your team brainstorm the longest list? The most creative ideas? If you know any kids, they may be particularly enthusiastic.

*By energy, I’m referring to conventional and renewable energy resources such as fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal), nuclear, solar, hydroelectric, etc. (I do not mean food energy!)

➢ What Is My Carbon Footprint?

• Use the Cool Climate carbon footprint calculator (https://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/calculator) to estimate your carbon footprint. (Expand each section.) Record the data that you inputted. Look at the bar graphs on each page. What are the largest contributors to your carbon footprint? Which findings surprised you?

• Play around with the numbers, to see how adjusting your lifestyle a little (or a lot) changes the carbon footprint. For example, try sliding the food bars in the Shopping section, and changing the miles driven by a modest amount in the Transportation section. Which of the lifestyle changes seem easily do-able? What would it take to make some of the others more acceptable?

➢ BONUS (optional, extra credit) – What Are And Will Be the Effects of Global Warming in Washington State?

Peruse the Washington State Department of Ecology climate change website (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange) and consider the questions below.

Click on the link for “EFFECTS IN WASHINGTON” and answer questions #1-2: 1. Summarize the 4 major impacts of climate change on Washington State. 2. Describe at least 2 specific examples of the results of each impact.

Dams generate 72% of the state's electricity (compared to the national average of 7% from dams). Higher temperatures will directly affect power demand by reducing demand for heating in winter (when Northwest hydropower is cheap) and increasing demand in summer for air conditioning (when Northwest hydropower is more expensive). Click on the link for “FACING THE CHALLENGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE” and "Facts about Washington’s retreating glaciers and declining snow pack" to answer questions #3-7: (Note: You might need to refresh/click twice.)

3. What percentage of the Pacific Northwest’s CO2 emissions comes from transportation? What are the other top 3 sources of emissions?

4. How many glaciers have disappeared from the North Cascades since the 1950s? 5. How has the mass of glaciers changed since 1983? 6. How has the snowpack changed in the North Cascades? Why does it matter? 7. How have the numbers of wildfires changed in Washington?

Click on the link for “ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE” to answer questions #8-10: 8. How are average temperatures predicted to change for Washington State by 2040? 9. What changes are predicted for precipitation patterns and water supplies? 10. Describe 4 of the predicted impacts from climate change on the economy of Washington State.

➢ REFLECT on what you learned. Post your list, data, and reflection to the JOURNAL 8 board by Wednesday's deadline.

Continue to Part B: Action…

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Part B: Action – Due by Friday night

➢ What Can I Do to Reduce My Energy Use? What Can I Do to Help Others Reduce Their Energy Use?

Throughout the week, you and your Energy Brainstorming Team will brainstorm these 3 lists. Jot down ideas as you think of them! You may use websites/readings occasionally, but mainly use your creativity!

1. How many different ways – big & small, direct & indirect – can you think of to save energy?

2. What should be done to encourage/require people – individuals and businesses – to conserve energy? What policies should be implemented (e.g., tax breaks for ____)? What educational/outreach efforts would you recommend? What would motivate different people and companies (e.g., environmental impacts for ____ vs. cost savings for ____; data for ____ vs. photos for ____)? When might you use “carrots”, and when “sticks”? Etc…

3. What can you do to help educate others about what you’ve learned? Why did I encourage you to enlist a team?

➢ I Commit to...

Commit to Shrinking Your Carbon Footprint. (Research online, and select from your brainstormed lists, if you wish!):

1. What do YOU commit to doing to help reduce YOUR energy use? Now do it! ☺

Yes, really…Do it. Pick at least one small thing you really truly honestly will do now, this week: Turn down the thermostat by 2°F? Replace a blown-out lightbulb with a compact fluorescent bulb? Turn off your computer every night? Combine multiple errands into one trip? (Or you may be ready to plunge in and do more…but it’s often best to start small and be successful, then grow from there. What else do you commit to also doing, going forward?

2. What do YOU commit to doing to encourage OTHERS – individuals, groups, and businesses – to conserve energy?

Write a letter to the editor? Explain the environmental and cost savings to a community of faith? Make an energy- tips fridge magnet for your forgetful roommates or a homeless shelter? (Etc.) Now do it! ☺

➢ REFLECT on what you learned. Thread your lists, commitments, and reflection to your original (“Part A”) post on the JOURNAL 8 board by Friday's deadline.

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Here are some resources you may find very useful – Please do search for additional ones, also:

The Great Energy Challenge - http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/energy/great-energy-challenge/

Conserve At Home & Conserve At Work - http://www.mytpu.org/your/ & http://www.mytpu.org/your-business/

Your Home Energy Calculator - http://www.mytpu.org/your/ways-to-save/calculate-your.htm • Knowledge is power, especially when you know your estimated electric bill. Answer a few questions about your home, lights,

appliances, water heater or space heater and you'll see an estimated energy cost. Use these calculators: Home energy calculator. Lighting calculator. Appliance calculator. Water heating calculator. Space heater calculator.

• You can find more detailed answers to your energy questions here: Home energy library; Interactive energy home • The sooner you complete the calculator exercise, the sooner you can start making adjustments to get your energy costs down.

Learn more about saving energy and money at home.

EnviroHouse - http://www.cityoftacoma.org/envirohouse (Interior Design students: It’s worth the trip!) • The City of Tacoma EnviroHouse is a permanent model home showcasing green building and natural landscape ideas,

materials and techniques to create a healthy home and planet. The EnviroHouse champions the benefits of sustainable living and building practices to homeowners, builders, suppliers, landscapers, real estate agents and the general public, highlighting readily available products for new and existing homes and yards.

• The EnviroHouse offers visitors a way to see and touch a wide variety of green building and sustainable living products. Whether you’re planning a full remodel or simply need to replace an old appliance, the EnviroHouse features more than 150 "green" interior, exterior and landscape ideas, including: • Recycled-content carpet, countertops, furniture and tile • Water- saving showerhead display • Recycled-content sidewalk and decking • Non-toxic paint and natural bulletin boards • Synthetic turf, natural grasses, native plants and recycled-content mulch • Cork and bamboo flooring • Weather-controlled irrigation system • Energy-efficient windows, lighting and appliances • Insulation options using recycled or organic products • Solar electricity • Composting systems for food, yard and pet waste

• FREE and open to the public! Hours: Wed-Fri 10:00-3:00, Sat-Sun 11:00-5:00. Location: City of Tacoma Landfill, 3510 S. Mullen St. Information: (253) 573-2426 or [email protected]

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