Electricity
Week 27
The Environmental Impact of the Electricity System
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Light bulbs, appliances, hot showers, heating and cooling all require electricity to fulfill our most basic needs. In fact, even during my Appalachian Trail thru hike, I was dependent on my phone and flashlight on a daily basis. Come to think of it, I can't recall a day spent without some form of electricity. Read more →
15 Easy Ways to Conserve Energy and Cut Down Your Electric Bill
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This week I learned about the environmental impact of our electricity system and it is not pretty! Eventually, I hope to convert to renewable energy sources like wind and solar, but until then, I'm making a few small changes at home to reduce the amount of electricity I use. Since residential use accounts for 38% of electricity consumption, this is one of the weeks where individual changes can actually make a big difference. Read more →
How to Make a Fold-up Clothes Drying Rack
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This week, while researching the environmental impact of our electricity system, I learned that my clothes dryer is the second highest energy consuming appliance in my home, after the refrigerator. I found 15 ways to cut back on my electricity usage at home, one of them being to air dry my laundry. So, I asked my Dad to help me figure out a simple way to DIY a compact clothes drying rack that could easily hang on my wall and fold up out of the way. Read more →
Letter Asking for Action Against Climate Change
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Earlier this week, I found out that electricity generates the second largest share of greenhouse gas emissions, which led me to do a little more research on the environmental impact of our electricity system. In short, most of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, like coal and natural gases. This burning emits greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which traps heat that would normally be released into space and in turn, warms the planet. Read more →