Energy!

Energy is one of the most fundamental parts of our universe. We use energy to do work. Energy lights our cities. Energy powers our vehicles, trains, planes and rockets. Energy warms our homes, cooks our food, plays our music, and gives us pictures on television. When we eat, our bodies transform the food into energy to do work. When we run or walk, we "burn" food energy in our bodies. When we think or read or write, we are also using energy.

But our energy use has had a huge environmental impact. This impact is the greenhouse effect. Burning fossil fuels to generate electricity or heat produces carbon dioxide, which is the main greenhouse gas. If you want to reduce the impact of your home, you have to either reduce your energy consumption or use sources of energy that don’t produce carbon dioxide. Whenever you save energy, you not only save money, you also reduce the demand for such fossil fuels as coal, oil, and natural gas. Less burning of fossil fuels also means lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary contributor to global warming, and other pollutants.

10 Ways to Save Energy:

1. Turn off the Switches- Do you really need the lights, radio, TV and computer on when you are not home? Do they all need to be on when you are at home? Without them on all the time will save heaps of energy.

2. Avoid Opening the Fridge- Can't decide what to eat? Check the cupboards and think about what's in the fridge, don't look. An open refrigerator door uses more energy than a closed one.

3. Support Local Vendors- The stove uses more energy than the other appliances in your house. Eating out or using the microwave instead is an energy saving meal.

4. Be Social- Instead of everybody watching Buffy alone, watch it with friends. This way one TV is in use, not two or three or four.

5. Visit the Library- Once again, sharing electricity lights is better than every one using them.

6. Slam it Shut- Keeping windows & doors tightly closed allows you to heat or cool inside your house, not outside.

7. Go Shopping for Energy Efficient Products- Buy energy efficient florescent lights. Regular bulbs expend more energy heating a room than lighting it.

8. Wear more, or less Clothes- By wearing more clothes, you will be able to turn down the heater & save energy. Wearing fewer clothes during the summer will keep you cooler and you can raise the AC temperature.

9. Open the Curtains- Save on heat by letting the sun do some of the work during the day.

10. Use a full load- in washing machines, dryers and dishwashers. They use lots of energy. Wash clothes in cold water (up to 90% less greenhouse gas emissions). Beware of over drying & air dry when feasible.

Sustainable Living!

According to the council, householders contribute between 30 and 50% of all pollution through everyday activities – like washing, shopping and driving. Almost 75% of resources are wasted through inefficiency and ignorance. In order to have everyone living sustainable, everyone needs to get into the habit of sustainable living through the choices they make about getting to work or school, shopping and pottering around the house. Making a difference doesn’t mean changing your lifestyle significantly. It just means to be vigilant about little things, like shopping locally to cut down on transport emissions, remembering to wrap rubbish in newspaper rather tan plastic and turning off lights!!! By following these small actions on being sustainable will significantly reduce our impact on the earth!!! So start living sustainable!!

Sustainable Living Tips:

• Shop Locally, and buy organic.
• Avoid excess packaging.
• Buy reusable items, not disposable.
• Say no to plastic bags – carry small items or use a cloth bag.
• Reduce emissions by 20% by leaving the car at home one work or school day a week.
• Switch off lights every time you leave a room.
• Switch off unused appliances and save on standby power.
• Close doors, windows and curtains when heaters are running.
• Save 20 litres for every minute less in the shower.

Each year, 1920 litres of fuel is used by an average car on Australia’s roads and emits 4.33 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. Science shows that 17 native mixed species trees can, over their lifetime, absorb the Carbon Dioxide emitted by the average car in a year, locking up the carbon in the wood, and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere.

­ You (or your parents if you don’t have a car) can help our environment and save money by following these energy smart driving tips:

• Drive smoothly with the flow of the traffic and save up to 10% of fuel cost or 1 litre per 100km.
• Keep your tyres correctly inflated and save up to 5% of fuel costs or 0.5 litres per 100km.

• Keep your car well tuned and save up to 5% of fuel costs or 0.5 litres per 100km.

If you’re thinking about getting a car either now or in the future, have a good look around and try getting a car that is energy efficient. Not only will you be saving your cash, but you will also be significantly helping our environment!!

The ECOmmodore is a full-sized family car that dramatically reduces fuel consumption and exhaust emissions by using a parallet hybrid-electric drivetrain.

Environment Careers:

Environmental Science

Environmental scientists record and measure features of the environment and study, assess and develop methods of controlling or minimising the harmful effects of human activity on the environment.

Prerequisites: VCE units 3 & 4 – English, one of chemistry,

biology, physics, environmental science or geography and a study score of at least 20 in any mathematics.

Personal Requirements: ability to problem solve, communicate and work as a team member.

To find out more information on Environmental Science see your careers advisor.

Environment Careers Expo:

When: Mon June 3^rd 2002
Where: RMIT Uni, Storey Hall
Who: Yr 10-12, uni students, graduates, teachers, parents, people who would like to work in the environment sector.

More info: Contact Zoe Shurgold on 9925 2739