Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Life and Numbers
Lots of people, myself included, tend to think only of things that pertain to them. It is much harder to put things in perspective, and imagine the picture in general. Kill-A-Watt project will include the facts provided below to give the readers an understanding of how their own consumption play a role in the welfare of the world.
Unplug your gadgets:
-Appliances and portable tools draw energy even when they are not "on".
Although it might seem like they do not require much energy (how much
could an electric toothbrush, a laptop and a lamp consume?). However,
together they might use more power than a refrigerator. If the equipment
is connected to a remote control, it is drawing power 24/7. Turning
those items off will save a lot of energy.
- If every American home (and college campus) would have the most
energy-efficient refrigerators, 10 large power plants could be
eliminated. When you are buying something, check the efficiency ratings
for it. Look fot the Energy Star (TM) label for the most efficient
appliances.
Facts:
-turning down the thermostat even by 2 degrees prevents the release of 500
pounds of carbon dioxide.
-Fuelwood provides nearly one-third of the energy needs of developing
countries.
-The U.S consumes more energy per person than any country in the world;
with only 6% of the world's population, it uses almost 30% of the world's
energy
-Since 1950, the Earth's population hasd doubled, and the amount of fossil
fule burned for energy has quadrupled.
-The U.S. uses fossil fules for 85% of it's energy. At the rate they are
being burned, coal reservees are estimated to last 130 to 200 years;
natural gas, 60 to 120 years; and oil, 30 to 50 years.
-New York State uses nuclear power for nearly 40% of itsa electricity.One
nuclear plant can generate over 30 tons of highly radioactive waste
annually.
-Renewable sources of energy only provide 2% of the total energy nowadays.
-Each week, the average American consumes the equivalent of 300 shopping
bags filled with natural resources.
Compiled based on the information provided by American Museum of Natural History, www.amnh.org
Unplug your gadgets:
-Appliances and portable tools draw energy even when they are not "on".
Although it might seem like they do not require much energy (how much
could an electric toothbrush, a laptop and a lamp consume?). However,
together they might use more power than a refrigerator. If the equipment
is connected to a remote control, it is drawing power 24/7. Turning
those items off will save a lot of energy.
- If every American home (and college campus) would have the most
energy-efficient refrigerators, 10 large power plants could be
eliminated. When you are buying something, check the efficiency ratings
for it. Look fot the Energy Star (TM) label for the most efficient
appliances.
Facts:
-turning down the thermostat even by 2 degrees prevents the release of 500
pounds of carbon dioxide.
-Fuelwood provides nearly one-third of the energy needs of developing
countries.
-The U.S consumes more energy per person than any country in the world;
with only 6% of the world's population, it uses almost 30% of the world's
energy
-Since 1950, the Earth's population hasd doubled, and the amount of fossil
fule burned for energy has quadrupled.
-The U.S. uses fossil fules for 85% of it's energy. At the rate they are
being burned, coal reservees are estimated to last 130 to 200 years;
natural gas, 60 to 120 years; and oil, 30 to 50 years.
-New York State uses nuclear power for nearly 40% of itsa electricity.One
nuclear plant can generate over 30 tons of highly radioactive waste
annually.
-Renewable sources of energy only provide 2% of the total energy nowadays.
-Each week, the average American consumes the equivalent of 300 shopping
bags filled with natural resources.
Compiled based on the information provided by American Museum of Natural History, www.amnh.org
posted by Kseniya at 8:06 AM
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