- Energy efficiency and conservation are necessary to reduce environmental degradation caused by energy consumption. - Fossil fuel resources are finite and not renewable, yet they are being consumed rapidly without developing renewable alternatives like solar and wind. - Burning fossil fuels for energy generation produces significant air, water, and land pollution including carbon emissions, acid rain, toxic contamination of wildlife and habitats. It also produces radioactive nuclear waste. - Individual actions like turning off lights when not in use, adjusting thermostats, using appliances efficiently, and promoting energy efficiency can collectively make a significant impact on reducing environmental costs of energy consumption.

3. Presented By

4. SAVE ENERGYSAVE ENERGY

5. WHY TO SAVE ENERGYWHY TO SAVE ENERGY
Energy efficiency and conservation are
necessary, because energy consumption
is a major cause of environmental
degradation. All types of energy use
result in environmental costs, it’s just a
matter of degree. And most modern
American activities seem to involve
energy consumption. Our
transportation, food production,
manufacturing, governments, recreation
and household management all
consume energy.
At the same time, our major energy supplies (oil,
coal, and gas) are finite. They are not renewable,
yet we burn through these fuels as if there were
no tomorrow. The energy supplies which are
renewable (solar, wind, thermal) are not being
used as widely or thoughtfully as they should be.

6. Environmental Costs of
Energy Consumption
Air Pollution --- Most forms of
energy generation produce large
amounts of air pollution as a
byproduct (except solar and wind).
The burning of fossil fuels and
biomass will result in carbon dioxide,
sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulfuric
acid, hydrochloric acid, carbon
monoxide, polyaromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH’s, such as benzo-
a-pyrene), ozone and radioactive
emissions. These emissions are a
direct threat to public health.

7. Wildlife Impacts --- All of the
factors above contribute to the loss
of wildlife habitat and to poisoning
of wildlife. Many species are being
decimated to the point of
extinction, with climate change
likely to push many over the edge.
They don’t have time to adapt.

8. Toxic Contamination --- In
addition to the toxic pollutants
listed under air pollution,
many toxic trace contaminants
are released from fuel burning,
including serious contaminants
such as mercury, arsenic, lead,
and chlorinated organics such
as dioxin.

9. Water Pollution --- Fuel
burning also results in fallout
from the air of toxic
contaminants that gradually
build up in the sediments of
wildlife of our rivers, lakes and
streams. Acid rain is still an
active concern in many areas,
poisoning our waterways,
damaging property and
reducing the productivity of
our forests and croplands.

10. Radioactive Waste --- Despite
claims by its proponents,
nuclear energy is far from
“clean,” in that uranium
mining has despoiled many
large tracts of land with direct
radioactive contamination and
wind erosion of radioactive
dusts. After decades of
investigation, the nuclear
industry has also failed to find
a safe means of disposing of
radioactive wastes which are
accumulating too rapidly and
will remain dangerous for
thousands of years. The
potential for nuclear accidents
or sabotage is also a concern.

11. Let's Save Energy!
Using energy wisely means being
efficient. We use energy everyday at
home, at school, at work, and even
when you're playing. By saving energy
you're helping to save the world's
energy resources like gas, oil and
water and you're also saving money on
your utility bills. Best of all, by using
energy wisely we can cut down on
pollutants in the air and water, making
a better environment for everyone.
Think about what would happen if there wasn't enough energy
. . . there would be no light to turn on when it got dark . . . there
would not be any hot water for the shower or heat for your house
in the winter . . . no gas or oil to drive the car . . . so there are lots of
reasons we should save energy.

13. Fight the Light!
Don't leave lights on when no one is in the room. If you are
going to be out of the room for more than five minutes, turn
off the light.
If you know of a light that everyone forgets to turn off, make a
sticker or a sign to hang next to the switch that says "Lights
Out!" or "Don't Forget!"
Where possible, use compact fluorescent light bulbs. Those
funny-looking bulbs produce the same amount of light by
using 1/4 of the electricity. Plus, they last for years and years
without burning out.
There's one light bulb that firefighters in Livermore, California,
never turn off. It uses very little energy and has been burning
for 101 years!

14. Turn off the TV when no one is watching it. The same
goes for computers, radios and stereos - if no one
using it, turn it off. Turn off all the appliances at the
surge protector/control strip - that four- or six-plug
extension chord that you plug all your computer
things into. Some devices, like modems or other
networking boxes are drawing small amounts of
power all the time. Check with your folks first, but
the best thing to do is turn them ALL off at the surge
protector.
Don't Leave Things Turned On

15. It's a Matter of Degrees!It's a Matter of Degrees!
In warm weather, the thermostat at home should be set at 78
degrees. (Don't do this, of course, if it will cause health problems for
anyone in your family.) When no one is home, set the thermostat at
85 degrees. That way, you'll reduce the need for air conditioning and
you will save energy. If you have ceiling fans or other fans, turn them
on. The blowing air can make you feel 5 degrees cooler, without
running the family's air conditioner. Fans use a lot less electricity
than air conditioners!
In cold weather, wear warm clothing and have your thermostat set to
68 degrees or lower during the day and evening, health permitting.
When you go to sleep at night, set the thermostat back to either 55
degrees, or turn it off. When you leave home for an extended time,
set the thermostat at 55 degrees or turn it off, too. That way, your
family can save from 5 percent to 20 percent on your heating costs.
(Don't do this, of course, if it will cause health problems for anyone
in your family.)

16. Here are a few things you can do to startHere are a few things you can do to start
saving more energy:saving more energy:
The lights and television use electrical energy so when you leave the room, shut them off.The lights and television use electrical energy so when you leave the room, shut them off.
During the day when it is brighter outside, open the curtains and use the sunlight instead of
turning on the lights.
During the day when it is brighter outside, open the curtains and use the sunlight instead of
turning on the lights.
Don't leave windows or doors open when the heat or air conditioning is on. This makes the
furnace and AC have to work harder to heat and cool a room.
Don't leave windows or doors open when the heat or air conditioning is on. This makes the
furnace and AC have to work harder to heat and cool a room.
When you have a sunny day, help hang the clothes outside instead of using the dryerWhen you have a sunny day, help hang the clothes outside instead of using the dryer
Turn off the dishwasher right before the drying cycle and let the dishes air dryTurn off the dishwasher right before the drying cycle and let the dishes air dry
Plant trees and shrubs. Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) are best to block the
sun in the summer and, when the leaves fall, they let the sun shine through in the winter
helping to warm your house.
Plant trees and shrubs. Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) are best to block the
sun in the summer and, when the leaves fall, they let the sun shine through in the winter
helping to warm your house.
There are a lot more ways to save energy and it's important that everyone pitches in. Check
out our checklist on things your family can do to save energy. Together we can all save
energy!
Don't leave the refrigerator door open. Decide what you want BEFORE you open the door.

18. In the Bathroom
Wasting water wastes electricity. Why? Because the
biggest use of electricity in most cities is supplying
water and cleaning it up after it's been used!
About 75 percent of the water we use in our homes is
used in the bathroom. Unless you have a low flush
toilet, for example, you use about five gallons to seven
gallons of water with every flush! A leaky toilet can
waste more than 10,000 gallons of water a year. Wow!
Drippy faucets are bad, too. A faucet that leaks
enough water to fill a soda bottle every 30 minutes will
waste 2,192 gallons of water a year.
Another simple way to save water AND energy is to
take shorter showers. You'll use less hot water - and
water heaters account for nearly 1/4 of your home's
energy use.

19. In the Kitchen
According to researchers who are paid to
study such things, a load of dishes
cleaned in a dishwasher uses 37 percent
less water than washing dishes by hand!
However, if you fill up one side of the sink
with soapy water and the other side with
rinse water - and if you don't let the faucet
run - you'll use half as much water as a
dishwasher does. Doing the dishes this
way can save enough water for a five-
minute shower!
If you need to warm up or defrost small
amounts of food, use a microwave instead
of the stove to save energy. Microwave
ovens use around 50 percent less energy
than conventional ovens do. For large
meals, however, the stove is usually more
efficient. In the summer, using a
microwave causes less heat in the kitchen,
which saves money on air conditioning.
Don't keep the refrigerator door open any
longer than you need to. Close it to keep the
cold air inside! Also, make sure the door
closes securely. There is a rubber-like seal
around the door that you can test. Just close
the door on a dollar bill, and then see how
easy it is to pull out. If the dollar slides out
easily, the door is probably leaking cold air
from inside.
Is there an old refrigerator sitting in the
garage or someplace else at home? Old
refrigerators are real energy hogs! An old
refrigerator could be costing your family as
much as 4800 a year to operate. Urge your
parents to replace it if they don't need it, and
remind them that one large refrigerator is
cheaper to run than two smaller ones.

20. Shocking News About
Batteries
Did you know that Americans use an average of about eight batteries a year per person?
Batteries that are thrown away produce most of the heavy metals - dangerous substances
like lead, arsenic, zinc, cadmium, copper, and mercury - that are found in household trash.
These metals are toxic. They can be harmful to humans and wildlife. When discarded
batteries from our trash wind up in landfills, these dangerous metals can seep into the
ground water and eventually into the food chain. So, instead of throwing batteries in the
trash, we should all take them to a toxic waste disposal area, if at all possible.
Turn off the toys and games (like GameBoys TM) that use batteries when you are not
playing with them. That makes the batteries last longer, and you won't need as many of
them.
Forty percent of all battery sales are made during the holiday season. Ask for holiday gifts
that do not require batteries.
Ask your parents to buy rechargeable batteries and a recharger.

21. Think About What Your
Family Buys
If you buy things that can be used over and over instead of buying disposable items that are used once
and then thrown away, you will save precious natural resources. You'll also save energy used to make
them, and you'll reduce the amount of landfill space we need when they are thrown away.
Those same savings happen you buy things that will last instead of breaking right away. Well-made
items may cost a little more to begin with, but they are usually worth the money because they last for a
long time, and you don't have to replace them.
When your family goes shopping, think about taking bags with you. Only about 700 paper bags can be
made from one 15-year-old tree. A large grocery store can use that many bags before lunch! Plastic
bags start out as either oil or natural gas. Oil and natural gas are non-renewable resources. This means
they can't be reused, and when they are all gone, they are gone forever. And throw-away bags add a lot
of pollution to the environment. If plastic and paper bags are used once and go to landfills, they stay
there for hundreds of years Some stores offer discounts for people who use their own bags. For every
bag reused, they give money back - usually about five cents for each bag.
With your parents, pick a spot in your house to store bags that you get from the grocery store. These
bags can be used to carry things to friends' houses or for trash linings. After bags wear out, recycle
them.

26. Try ORGANIC fresh fruits and vegetables. Generally things with the fewest ingredients on the label are the
safest bet.
If you can't ride a bike or don't own one, try to walk to places as much as possible, but if you need
transportation, see if you can use mass transit (like a train, bus, or subway). Since more people use
them (so less people are using cars), less fossil fuels are being released.
Generally, don't waste anything (this does not mean eating every left-over you find; you can pack it in
containers and put it in the refrigerator or freezer). If you know of some poor people, they could appreciate this
a lot and look up to you for it. Help your neighbors! And, if you are sure you don't want it anymore or that your
fridge/freezer is full, try putting it outside of your house, or somewhere close to starving animals. They would
be more than happy to gobble it up. For example, bread from your breakfast that you just can't eat anymore -
break it down and leave it outside for the birds.
Although recycling is great, it's even better to conserve. That means reusing paper as much as
possible, or refilling your water bottle instead of buying a new one, and so on.
If you are just getting a soda, or something else that does not require a bag (or if you're just not going to use
it), don't take one. Otherwise, use scrap fabric to sew a 'Bag Bunny' to hold plastic bags to be reused.
When grocery shopping, bring your own bag(s) (cloth ones are the best kind). Some places even give
slight discounts for you bringing in your own bag. Some shops also make you pay for those plastic
bags, so you'll be saving money as well as do good deeds!
The next time you order a beverage, bring your own mug (or buy one of theirs). Not only will you save
15 cents, but you will also help by not wasting cups.

27. Ask your local Waste Management Service if you could help out. Maybe you could make fliers and put them
around town, to make people aware of the earth. Start a day where you and the town will pick up garbage
If possible, drink your tap water! You'll have more cash in your pocket and reduce the chances of a
factory creating more unnecessary bottles, meaning less energy as well as resources used up.
If you don't have time and space for clothes that you no longer need, donate them to charity! Every
time you do, you make a lonely soul a grateful spirit, as well as motivate others to do good!
Although recycling Before you recycle something, like an aluminum can, it's best to wash it out first.
Did you know that one aluminum can can be recycled 10 times?
Before recycling aluminum cans, take off the tabs and save them. There are many hospitals that will
accept them and use them to make medical equipment.
Spread the word! Start a club at school, a fund raiser, or anything else that would help make people
aware of the environment.
When it comes to saving the planet's water, don't be boring! You're more likely to use something if
you like it, so buy a colorful water bottle or decorate your glass bottle with pretty glass paint!