Works Cited

Works Cited

"Ask an Expert about Educating Consumers." Solar Energy Resource Center:. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://www4.eere.energy.gov/solar/sunshot/resource_center/ask/topic/educating_consumers>.

"Climate Change: Basic Information." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://epa.gov/climatechange/basics/>.

"GHGRP 2012: Reported Data." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/ghgdata/reported/index.html>.

"Homes of the Future -- Today." Yahoo Homes. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://homes.yahoo.com/photos/homes-of-the-future-today-1381784913-slideshow/>.

"Large Wind Technology." Wind Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wind/large_wind_tech.html>.

"Marine and Hydrokinetic Resource Assessment and Characterization." Water Power Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://www1.eere.energy.gov/water/marine_assessment_characterization.html>.

"Reducing Waste and Harvesting Energy This Halloween." Energy.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://energy.gov/eere/articles/reducing-waste-and-harvesting-energy-halloween>.

"Renewable." EIA Energy Kids. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=renewable_home-basics>.

"Renewable vs Nonrenewable Energy Pros and Cons." Renewable Green Energy RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://renewablegreen.net/?p=124>.

"The United States Senate Committee on Finance." : Hearings. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=e21eaa77-bf51-6365-58e9-9b2cea6446e5>.

Exploratory Thinking 9: Reducing Waste and Harvesting Energy This Halloween

 The following technique shows how waste can be converted to energy instead of a a harmful greenhouse gas. This is evidence for a brighter future and a step in becoming a less dependent on carbon-based fuel nation.

So how does this process work? Similar to composting, one method of converting waste to energy is called anaerobic digestion. This is a natural process where microorganisms are used to break down organic waste materials in an air-sealed tank, which is heated up to accelerate processing.
This allows the waste material to decompose quickly and produce biogas that can be captured and directed through a turbine to ultimately generate electricity. This electricity can power homes and run vehicles, and the heat that results from the process can be used onsite to reheat the digester.

http://energy.gov/eere/articles/reducing-waste-and-harvesting-energy-halloween

 It appears that most people outside of the energy industry view renewable energy as the panacea to saving the world. Yet in reality, the public support of ‘clean’ energy is not as absolute as the industry may hope for. One of the reasons that may cause this gap between theory and practice is the fact that common knowledge of renewable energy production is rather limited. The majority of the public understands the dangers of environmental pollution and, thus, supports any initiatives to prevent or at least minimize it. The problem is that while most people comprehend what renewable energy means in theory, they know very little about the process involved in its production. They fear it as the ‘unknown’, and that stigma can act as a strong motivation to oppose a renewable energy development.

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/05/19/social-media-in-the-renewable-energy-world/

A paper with some ideas

 http://apps3.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/pdfs/50988.pdf

Exploratory Thinking 8: What can we do?

In order to mitigate the damages of unclean energy, I researched solutions that we can make today in the present.

1. Change five lights

Replace your five most frequently used light fixtures or the lightbulbs in them with ENERGY STAR® qualified products and you will help the environment while saving $70 a year on energy bills. ENERGY STAR lighting provides bright, warm light; generates 75% less heat; uses about 75% less energy than standard lighting; and lasts from 10 to 50 times longer.

2. Look for ENERGY STAR

When buying new products for your home, look for EPA's ENERGY STAR label to help you make the most energy-efficient decision. You can find the ENERGY STAR label on more than 60 kinds of products, including appliances, lighting, heating and cooling equipment, electronics, and office equipment. Over their lifetime, products in your home that have earned the ENERGY STAR label can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 130,000 pounds and save you $11,000 on energy bills.

3. Heat and cool smartly

Heating and cooling accounts for almost half your energy bill--about $1,000 a year! There is a lot you can do to drive down this cost. Simple steps like changing air filters regularly, properly using a programmable thermostat, and having your heating and cooling equipment maintained annually by a licensed contractor can save energy and increase comfort, while helping to protect the environment. Depending on where you live, you can cut your annual energy bill by more than $200 by replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR-qualified equipment.

4. Seal and insulate your home

Reduce air leaks and stop drafts by using caulk, weather stripping, and insulation to seal your home's envelope and add more insulation to your attic to block out heat and cold. A knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs and significantly enhance home comfort with comprehensive sealing and insulating measures.

5. Reduce, reuse, recycle

Reducing, reusing, and recycling in your home helps conserve energy and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from resource extraction, manufacturing, and disposal. If there is a recycling program in your community, recycle your newspapers, beverage containers, paper, and other goods. Also, composting your food and yard waste reduces the amount of garbage that you send to landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Visit EPA's Individual WAste Reduction Model (iWARM) to learn about the energy benefits of recycling, rather than landfilling, common waste products.

6. Use water efficiently

It takes lots of energy to pump, treat, and heat water, so saving water reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Saving water around the home is simple. Three percent of the nation's energy is used to pump and treat water so conserving water conserves energy that reduces greenhouse gas pollution. Reduce the amount of waste you generate and the water you consume whenever possible. Pursue simple water-saving actions such as not letting the water run while shaving or brushing teeth and save money while conserving water by using products with the WaterSense label. Did you know a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day? Repair all toilet and faucet leaks right away. Running your dishwasher only with a full load can save 100 pounds of carbon dioxide and $40 per year. Be smart when irrigating your lawn or landscape. Only water when needed, and do it during the coolest part of the day; early morning is best. See EPA's WaterSense site for more water saving tips.

7. Be green in your yard

Composting your food and yard waste reduces the amount of garbage that you send to landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. EPA's GreenScapes program provides tips on how to improve your lawn or garden while also helping the environment.

8. Purchase green power

Power your home by purchasing green power. Green power is environmentally friendly electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and the sun. There are two ways to use green power: You can buy green power, or you can modify your house to generate your own green power. Buying green power is easy. It offers a number of environmental and economic benefits over conventional electricity, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, and it helps increase clean energy supply. There are a number of steps you can take to create a greener home , including installing solar panels and researching incentives for renewable energy in your state .

9. Calculate your household's carbon footprint

Use EPA's Household Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator to estimate your household greenhouse gas emissions resulting from energy use, transportation, and waste disposal. This tool helps you understand where your emissions come from and identify ways to reduce them.

10. Spread the word

Tell family and friends that energy efficiency is good for their homes and good for the environment because it lowers greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Tell five people and together we can help our homes help us all.

http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/home.html

Exploratory Thinking 7: Why is it important to research?

Why is it important to research?

This research is important in important because of the benefits that it provides:

Environmental Benefits

Renewable energy technologies are clean sources of energy that have a much lower environmental impact than conventional energy technologies.

Energy for our children's children's children

Renewable energy will not run out. Ever. Other sources of energy are finite and will some day be depleted.

Jobs and the Economy

Most renewable energy investments are spent on materials and workmanship to build and maintain the facilities, rather than on costly energy imports. Renewable energy investments are usually spent within the United States, frequently in the same state, and often in the same town. This means your energy dollars stay home to create jobs and fuel local economies, rather than going overseas.

Meanwhile, renewable energy technologies developed and built in the United States are being sold overseas, providing a boost to the U.S. trade deficit.

Economic Development

According to two studies by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)², if the U.S. were to supply 10% of its electricity from renewables by 2020 the following would occur:

• Consumer savings: $22.6 billion to $37.7 billion in lower electricity and natural gas bills
• Jobs: 91,220 new jobs—nearly twice as many as generating the electricity from fossil fuels
• Economic development: $41.5 billion in new capital investment, $5.7 billion in income to farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners, and $2.8 billion in new local tax revenues
• Healthier environment: reductions of global warming pollution equal to taking from 25 million to 32 million cars off the road, plus less haze, smog, acid rain, mercury contamination, and water use

Energy Security

After the oil supply disruptions of the early 1970s, our nation has increased its dependence on foreign oil supplies instead of decreasing it. This increased dependence impacts more than just our national energy policy.

Renewable energy provides reliable power supplies and fuel diversification, which enhance energy security and lower risk of fuel spills while reducing the need for imported fuels.  Renewable energy also helps conserve the nation’s natural resources.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/why

Price Stability
Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro and geothermal do not entail fuel costs or require transportation, and therefore offer greater price stability. In fact, some electric utilities factor this into their retail electricity prices, exempting customers that buy renewables from certain fuel-related charges.

Reduce First

Energy efficiency is a key step to reducing our impact on climate change and creating a sustainable energy future. Every time you flip on a light switch, use your computer, take a hot shower, or turn on your heater, you’re using energy. The average U.S. home uses about 11,000 kWh per year,1 and a large portion of that energy is wasted. By using less energy without sacrificing comfort, you can save money while helping the planet.

Small changes can add up to big savings. Here are 5 actions you can take today to start saving energy:

1. Use compact florescent (CFL) light bulbs in your home and workplace
2. Turn down your water heater to the warm setting
3. Unplug your cell phone and laptop chargers when you’re not using them
4. Use the energy-savings settings on the appliances you have and buy Energy Star–labeled appliances when you replace them.
5. Replace the filters in your furnace and air conditioner

http://buycleanenergy.org/why

Exploratory Thinking 6: Green House Gas Report

In order to build my logos, I will provide data concerning the amount of greenhouse gases produced and its effects that it has on the environment.

For reporting year (RY) 2012, over 8,000 facilities and suppliers reported to the greenhouse gas reporting program. Among these reporters, 7,809 facilities in nine industry sectors reported direct emissions to the atmosphere, with emissions totaling 3.13 billion metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e), or about half of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The facilities reported direct emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Additional facilities reported GHG quantities associated with products they supplied. Facilities also reported the quantity of carbon dioxide received for injection underground.

Overview of GHG Data Reported in 2012
Direct emitters
Number of facilities reported	7,809
Reported direct emissions (billion metric tons CO2e)	3.13
Suppliers of fuel and industrial gases
Number of suppliers	883
Underground injection of carbon dioxide
Number of carbon dioxide injection facilities	86

The table below lists the source categories in each industry sector that reported direct GHG emissions and summarizes the reported GHG emissions.
Select the industry sectors in the table below for a profile of sector emissions.

Industry Sector	Number of Reporters	Emissions (Million Metric Tons CO2e)*
Power Plants	1,611	2,090
Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems	2,058	217
Refineries	144	173
Chemicals	463	170
Waste	1,611	100
Metals	297	107
Minerals	369	107
Pulp and Paper	232	42
Other	1,419	123

^a The data presented here reflects data reported to the GHGRP as of 9/1/2013.
^b Biogenic emissions are NOT included in the total emissions.

The table below lists the greenhouse gases that are reported to EPA and the source categories that reported the largest quantity of each gas.

For this Greenhouse Gas:	The Source Categories Contributing Most to Reported 2012 GHG Emissions Are:
CO2	Electricity Generation, Stationary Combustion
CH4	Municipal Landfills, Petroleum & Natural Gas Systems
N2O	Nitric Acid Production, Electricity Generation, Adipic Acid Production
Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases
SF6	SF6 from Electrical Equipment Use, Magnesium Production
NF3	Electronics Manufacturers
HFCs	HCFC–22 Production and HFC–23 Destruction
PFCs	Aluminum Production, Electronics Manufacturers

http://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/ghgdata/reported/index.html

Exploratory Thinking 5: What's the current siutation??

I want to establish the problem at hand and really hammer the effects it has and what is causing the problem.

Humans are largely responsible for recent climate change

Over the past century, human activities have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The majority of greenhouse gases come from burning fossil fuels to produce energy, although deforestation, industrial processes, and some agricultural practices also emit gases into the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around Earth, trapping energy in the atmosphere and causing it to warm. This phenomenon is called the greenhouse effect and is natural and necessary to support life on Earth. However, the buildup of greenhouse gases can change Earth's climate and result in dangerous effects to human health and welfare and to ecosystems.
The choices we make today will affect the amount of greenhouse gases we put in the atmosphere in the near future and for years to come.


http://epa.gov/climatechange/basics/