What is Earth Day?

Recently came across this great 3 minute video about the history of Earth Day.
Check it out...

Today's Energy Insight

Even though it may not feel like it,

next week is April and that means

Earth Day is just around the corner!

Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22nd. This observance was founded by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson and was first organized in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution. In 2011 it was the 40th anniversary of the very first Earth Day.

From the Nelson Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison:

<<< Nelson had just toured the oil spill devastation on the coast of Santa Barbara and was flying to San Francisco when he read an article about recent popular teach-ins held on college campuses. The format struck him as a promising way to communicate this growing public concern to elected officials in Washington D.C. and state government. He imagined that:

"If we could tap into the environmental concerns of the general public and infuse the student anti-war energy into the environmental cause, we could generate a demonstration that would force the issue onto the national political agenda."

Separate teach-ins were already planned at San Jose State, Dickinson College (Pennsylvania), and the University of Michigan—all organized campus-wide events drawing attention to ecological crises. Nelson aimed to unite these efforts and then extend them beyond the college campus. He announced his intentions at a speech in Seattle on September 20, 1969 and several major media outlets immediately broadcast the idea to national audiences.>>>

What are you going to do to celebrate Earth Day this year?

Today's Energy Insight

How many gallons of gasoline are refined from

one 42 gallon barrel of crude oil?

A)  9      B)  19      C)  29      D)  42

Scroll down to check your answer...

One 42 gallon barrel of crude oil, when refined, produces about 19 gallons of gasoline, 10 gallons of diesel fuel and 15 gallons of other petroleum products.

So how can one 42-gallon barrel of crude oil yield over 44 gallons of petroleum products you ask? This gain from processing crude oil is similar to what happens to popcorn, which expands or gets bigger after it's popped. When refined, crude oil increases its yield to be more than the original quantity. Who knew?

Game Show coming in April!

Charge Ahead ENERGY Chase Game Show

As part of our district’s participation in the SEE ® program, OUR SCHOOLS have access to this fun, interactive GAME SHOW ACTIVITY for two weeks beginning April 7^th. Use this activity for student organizations, classrooms, or staff meetings to spread the word about  the importance of saving energy in an exciting way!

To schedule the Game Show activity, please contact the Energy Efficiency Coordinator at extension 8104 or send an email to sheri_brunner@rdale.org.

Today's Energy Insight

Thank you to Earth: The Operator's Manual  for this insight...

Click here to go to their website
or
Click here to go to their Facebook page.

Today's Energy Insight

Which technology listed below can provide us with a smooth transition to safe, economic and carbon-free energy?

• Electric Cars
• Solar Power
• Nuclear Power
• Clean Coal
• Hydrogen Fuel Cells
• Wind Turbines
• Natural Gas

 

 Scroll down for the answer...

The answer is: None of the above.

There isn't a single technology that will give us an easy transition to carbon-free energy for home cooling and heating, transportation, manufacturing and all our country's other energy needs. Every source of energy has its own drawbacks and benefits. To make a transition to new forms of energy, it will involve many different technologies, along with improvements in efficiency and changes in infrastructure.

Today's Energy Insight

You've probably heard the water saving tip about turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or washing the dishes. Well, here is a water conservation tip you may not have thought of...

When you are waiting for water to heat up in the shower or at the kitchen sink, there is an easy way to put that water to use rather than just letting it run down the drain.

Catch the water in a bucket or watering can and use it to water house plants. Just a simple way to use water that otherwise is wasted.

Have you got a creative way you conserve energy or natural resources? Email sheri_brunner@rdale.org and share your energy insight!