Energy Conservation

1. Energy Conservation Creating a Healthy Environment For Tomorrow, and Saving Money for Education Today • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

2. Do We Have a Choice ? Courtesy of Tom Toles and UB Guide to Campus Ecology • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

3. Energy Demand in Schools • US school districts spend $6 billion each year on energy, second only to salaries1 1.5 billion of this, on average, is wasted due to energy inefficiency2 • A study of 851 schools found: From 2000 to 2001, when inflation was 3.4 percent, per pupil expenditures for energy rose from $137 to $166 (22 percent)3 • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

4. The Influence of Small Changes… • A few days after a big blackout in 2003, the University at Buffalo was quick to respond to an emergency request from the regional grid to cut back its electricity use. • Maintenance personnel took steps to turn off equipment and lights that were not absolutely necessary. IN 1 DAY, the savings amounted to: $11,157.36 • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

5. Changing Your School’s Energy Use • Top energy performing schools use 3Xless energy than the least efficient schools! • First Steps: Perform an Energy Survey or Audit Implement a Policy or Resolution Start with No Cost or Low Cost Options • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

6. Easy Solutions-No Cost Courtesy of PG&E • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

7. Easy Solutions-Low Cost Courtesy of PG&E • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

8. Easy Solutions-Investments Courtesy of PG&E • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

9. Energy Star • Products meet strict energy efficiency standards set by US EPA and the US Department of Energy • In 2005 the US saved enough energy to: Avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 23 million cars Saved $12 billion on utility bills Helped avoid 28,000 megawatts (MW) of peak power • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

10. Demand Cleaner Energy! • Contact your Board of Public Utilities to see if clean, local renewable energy sources are available • Incorporate renewable energy into the power pool that serves your needs • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

11. StudentInvolvement • Create signs to educate about saving energy • Write articles in the school paper • Research projects examining energy usage over time • Contests between student groups • Science projects dealing with energy Courtesy of APOGEE Interactive • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

12. Success…Now What? Evaluate energy conservation after changes Estimate financial savings Reinvest your savings for future projects Publicize your success • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

13. Why Is Energy Conservation Important? • Energy production has negative effects on the environment and human health Courtesy of the Department of Natural Resources in Maryland • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

14. The Products of Fossil Fuel Use • Greenhouse Gas emissions increased 16% between 1990 and 20041, and carbon emissions are expected to grow 45% between 1990 and 20152 • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

15. The Most Recent Data in 2003 Indicates… • US Energy Sources released: 256.4 million metric tons of Methane 228 thousand metric tons of Nitrous Oxide 1021.1 million metric tons of Carbon Dioxide 142.4 million metric tons (carbon dioxide equivalent) of Hydrofluorocarbons, Perfluorocarbons, and Sulfur Hexafluoride • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

16. Health Concerns Air Quality Smog NOx and SOx In the United States, about 2/3 of all sulfur dioxide and ¼ of all nitrogen oxide comes from electric power generation that relies on burning fossil fuels like coal Particulate Matter A mixture of particles that can adversely affect health Toxins Arsenic and Mercury Photo Courtesy of David Suzuki Foundation • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

17. Why Do Greenhouse Gases Matter? Courtesy of tiscali.reference • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

18. Why Do Greenhouse Gases Matter? • Historic link between carbon dioxide concentration and temperature rise • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

19. What Does the World Look Like with Global Warming? • One study suggests that with minimal climate warming,18% of the species studied would become extinct; with moderate climate warming, about 25% would become extinct; and with maximum warming, 35% would become extinct1 • The climate of Greenland may warm enough during the next few centuries to eventually eliminate the Greenland ice sheet,raising sea level by 7 meters (23 feet)2 • Sea ice cover in the Arctic is declining by 9 percent per decade3 • The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has increased by 80 percent worldwide during the past 35 years4 Sea Ice 1979 Sea Ice 2003 • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

20. In Summary… • Energy production includes environmental and human health costs. • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

21. In Summary… • You have the power to make a difference “Humankind has not woven the web of life.  We are but one thread within it.  Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.  All things are bound together.  All things connect.”  ~Chief Seattle, 1855 • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org

22. Questions? • P.O. Box 6806 Falls Church, VA| o 703-237-2249 |f 703-237-8389 | www.chej.org