Energy

Challenging your school to curb energy use and take advantage of alternative energy sources is the number one way you can help save our precious environment and set an example for your students. According to Brandeis University, the average American consumes 6 times more energy than the world average, and 85% of this energy comes from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, all of which contribute to pollution and global warming through carbon dioxide emissions. What if your school could reduce or eliminate its use of fossil fuels for energy?  What if you and your students could take pride in being part of the solution?

The Center for Environmental Education is researching ways you can reduce energy use in your school and consider alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, biomass, and developing fusion technologies.  We are also investigating the facts behind other energy sources that may not be as clean as proponents claim they are, such as new coal technologies that use carbon dioxide sequestration and nuclear power.

In the meantime, to upgrade your knowledge of energy use in general, please visit the U.S. Department of Energy and for information on climate change visit the EPA’s website.  For more on how electricity use affects the environment, check out this link from the EPA.  If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, check out this list of web resources supplied by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association.
 
Do you want to take action right now? 
 
Reduce consumption and consider alternative options that might be available to you, such as purchasing greener energy directly from your current supplier. Visit the EPA’s clean energy site!
 
Find out how clean the energy is that’s currently used in your school by using the Power Profiler.
 
Bring Energy into the classroom through the Energy Kid’s Page full of classroom activities, fun games, and curriculum to educate students about energy facts and energy history.