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Reuse! Reduce! Recycle!
By: Rachael Dineen
What Do You Do With Batteries After You Have Used Them?
I took a survey on my class and the results were not very good. L Take a look at the graph I made and you can see for yourself.
“Don’t Through It Out, Recycle With A Shout!”
Who, What, Where, and How is Energy Wasted
We use a lot of energy. Let’s make it STOP! I bet you never really thought about how much energy we consume each year. Industries use the most energy to produce their products; some are working hard to reduce energy. What are some things we can do? We can reduce gas, recycle steel, cut down on aluminum, recycle paper, don’t buy chemicals, and stop using cement. We need to act NOW! Energy conception needs to stop; we can’t to save our planet!
Most people know that we use a lot of gas for our cars, but did you know that the U.S. uses more petroleum (gas) than other nations? Gas is a nonrenewable resource and it will run out sooner or later. Energy consumption is happening all over the globe. Americans use a lot of gas on a regular basis. Here are some ways we can make it stop!!
Car pool, ride a bike, walk to places close enough, take the bus.
Ways you can help:
Take the bus because if different people are going to the same places
in so many cars then that uses so much energy, which is called consumption.
But if you take the bus then all the people are in one bus using not as much energy and gases.
Plant more trees, fix leaks around the house, turn off lights when
you are not using them, turn off water when you’re not using it. Turn off small leaks because that adds up to a lot of water put together. A little help can make a big difference in not only our environment but in the whole world!!
What is a Battery?
By: Alex Fontes
Definition: A battery is an electrochemical device with the ability to send chemical energy to electrical energy to give the electric object power.
There are 2 types of batteries:
Primary - the ones that cannot be reused (heavy duty, lithium)
Secondary - rechargeable, those that can be reused (lead-acid)
Batteries contain strong metals such as mercury and lead which will hurt the environment if they are not properly disposed.
Sooo…
Don’t burn batteries, the metals will vaporize and pollute lakes and streams etc. Recycle batteries, if you don’t then the batteries may be burnt or will Jleak into the soil. That is not good for the environment.
So where can I recycle my batteries?
Usually the places were you purchase your batteries you can recycle them too. (Best Buy, Staples, Target, and Home Depot) You can also recycle rechargeable batteries their too. So please recycle all your batteries if you don’t already.
What happens to batteries when they are recycled?
They are crushed into nickel-sized pieces
They take away the plastic parts
They send the plastic to be made into different items
They deliver purified lead to battery industries
A typical lead-acid battery contains about 60%-80 % recycled lead and plastic.
How many batteries do YOU own?
People are buying more and more batteries. The average person owns about 2 button batteries, (mercuric oxide, lithium, alpine) 10 normal batteries (A, AA, AAA, D, D6) and throws away about 8 batteries a year. About 3 billion batteries are sold annually in the U.S. averaging about 32 batteries a family or 10 per person. Americans purchase about 3 billion batteries a year to power small objects. (Like radios and flashlights)
How Can We Use Less Energy?
By Meredith Moriarty
What is energy consumption? Energy consumption is basically the use of energy as a source of heat or power as an unrefined material put in to a manufacturing process. Consumption’s root word is consume, which means to use. We need to use less energy. Americans use too much energy, because of factories and the types of manufacturing. (The smoke and natural gases, etc.)
How can you use less energy? It’s simple – adults can start by:
· Turning off lights when not needed or leaving a room
· Using renewable energy sources as opposed to nonrenewable resources, such as wind power, solar energy or hydropower
· Weather stripping doors and windows
· Buy more energy star products and CFL light bulbs
· Making a fire instead of heat
· Use your car less – try riding a bike or walking to places
Things kids can do-
· Turn off lights
· Turn off computers
· Don’t leave fridge door open
· Don’t use A/C
· Turn heat down- Wear a sweater
· Walk, ride a bike, or carpool
· Unplug cell phone chargers
· Use less electronics- play outside or read a book!
· Using candles or natural light
· Take less time in the shower
We are using more resources than we produce. The U.S. should consider using more renewable resources, such as wind and solar power. We should also buy smaller, more energy efficient cars. Renewable resources such as hydropower and solar energy will always be here for our energy. Nonrenewable resources such as oil, gasoline, and hydrogen will someday run out. We need at least some type of oil or gasoline for living, so we have got to conserve and consume less! Our future depends on you and your energy consumption!
We have to use less energy because in later years, there will be no more resources to let us be warm and ride in cars. Sure, there’ll be renewable resources, but we need to save our nonrenewable resources. We are consuming a lot of energy right now because of;
· Cars
· Heating
· TV, computer, cell phone chargers, etc.
· A/C
· Lighting
Nonrenewable resources are just that: nonrenewable! We have to use our energy more efficiently. Energy is used in the process of making many household items such as stainless steel countertops and silverware. Energy is for using, not wasting!
Overall, we need to consume our usage of energy more efficiently. It’s just as simple as turning off a light switch!
How Can We Save Energy?
By Laura Francis and Kaitlyn Brown
We asked kids in our 5th grade class, some questions. Here are the results that we got:
Do you think we could live without energy?
Most voted no, some voted yes.
What do you think the best way to save energy is?
Choices: Recycle, shower, carpool, or T.V.
What is the most common way that you save energy?
Choices: Recycle, shower, carpool, or T.V.
What do you think we could live without?
Choices: Light, cars, T.V., or ,heating
What do you think you could not live without?
Choices: shower, sink, cars, computer or, printer
How Efficient Are You?
By Shannon Lyons and Jaelyn Kenneally
What is energy efficiency? Energy efficiency is when you try to use less energy but get the same benefits. All of us use energy everyday- for transportation, cooking, heating and cooling rooms. Businesses use energy too. Energy efficiency makes you feel comfortable in your home and environment because you are doing something good for the planet. You don’t have to sacrifice to be energy efficient.
Are you energy efficient? Take the quiz below to find out. Each statement below is worth 5 points. If a statement is true add 5 points in your head. If a statement is sometimes true for you, add 3 points. If a statement is not true at all DO NOT add any points for that question.
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Use compact Fluorescent light bulbs instead of regular bulbs.
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Limit shower/bath time.
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Put lids on pots while cooking.
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Turn off water while brushing teeth.
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Use public transportation (walking, buses, running, carpool, etc.)
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Turn off lights when you leave the room.
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Use energy star products.
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Install double paned windows.
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Use blankets instead of heat.
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Open windows instead of using air-conditioning
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Read information instead of getting it on computers or/and T.V.
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Use space heaters.
0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60
ENERGY HOG on your way… so close… hip, hip, hooray Your there!
Energy is an important recourse…so SAVE it…and use it wisely, please!
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
By: Isabelle Racette and Zoe Cogswell
Picture a city. A busy, noisy city. You and your friends probably think a city is pretty, especially at night. But we think of how much energy it uses. How does it affect the environment? What will happen if we, as the United States, keep it up? What could we do to improve it? You probably heard of news about saving bills, and try to use fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent ones. This is all called energy efficiency. The fluorescent light bulbs last longer, and they waste less energy. You can find them in local stores around your Neighborhood. The incandescent light bulbs don’t last as long, and you have to change your light bulb more frequently. You might know how much energy the Earth uses. But did you know that the average American uses three times as the world itself! Some people are talking about going green, but some people don’t know about it yet. If your one of these people who don’t know about these magnificent light bulbs, you can take a look at Home and good stores like Lowes, or the home depot. There is also something called an air leak. An air leak is wind or air that travels into a house because of a window, or a door. They are very common here in America. Here’s a fun experiment to do at your house:
Air leak experiment:
1. Take a feather and walk near your windows and doors. When you feel the feather go forward, try and follow the Way the feather is pointing to.
2. Great you found your first air leak
3. If it is a window then buy clear plastic for the outside, if it is a Door buy a door sweeper.
4. Now look for another air leak
Ten things kids can do to save the earth
1. Bike or walk whenever possible
2. Recycle
3. Turn off lights when your not using them
4. Don’t litter
5. Take a shower instead of a bath
6. Plant a tree
7. Build a house for the birds in your environment
8. Ride the school bus
9. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
10. Turn off electrics
By, Isabelle Racette and Zoe Cogswell
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