My response to Wendell Berry

After reading the excerpt titled "The Use of Energy" from his book "The Unsettling of America Culture and Agriculture," I was just amazed. I never sat down and thought about energy in such a way that Wendell Berry did. Berry talked about the differences between the energy that our body uses, and the energy that is produced by man kind. The energy that we use from our body can be recycled, while the energy that is produced by man kind does not. Instead, energy gets changed into different forms that will just eventually harm our planet. He then talks about how important the soil is for humans and the earth. Soil is the circle of life, especially healthy soil. Because the soil is where life will be recycled through, it is full of dead microorganisms, dead plants, and even dead humans. The dead will decompose and get eaten up by bugs and plants, that will soon be eaten again by humans giving them energy, and starting all over again. I always thought of energy as harmless and just something that I took for granted, because I know far more about energy, the way that Berry explained, I am more grateful for energy. Not just energy alone, but also a healthy soil and what it contributes to us that are still living.

America and India comes together

A meeting was held on April 28-30, 2009 at Idaho National Laboratory involving the United States and India. This was the second meeting of the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Energy Working Group, while the first was held on October 2008. In October the U.S.-India Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation agreement was signed with lots of ambitions. This agreement was aimed to help India with its demanding energy needs in a safe environmental way. This will create new jobs for both countries. There were many things discussed at the meeting, such as, understanding of each country’s nuclear energy development plans; including light water reactors; near term reactor deployment; licensing,; management of nuclear waste; research and development programs as well as international best practices.The United States looks forward to working with India and will hold their next meeting in India towards the end of 2009. I think that the world is finally coming together to help each other. This is a smart move that America and India made, because it will benefit both countries. Slowly, more countries will realize that they too will need help to create a safer, more reliable planet for the future. Want to read more? Click Here

U.S. Department of Energy. (2008). Retrieved on November 16, 2009 from
http://www.energy.gov/news/7368.htm

What else is America doing for energy?

President Obama does not want America to be followers anymore, instead he wants Americans to be leaders again. In his eyes, America will get there one day. So far there have been progress towards a better, more green future. Such as, saving the people more money on cars by changing the fuel economy standards for the upcoming 2011 cars and trucks. Also, on Earth Day the President presented a new project that will be built on water of our Outer Continental Shelf that produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. For the first time ever, the nation will be able to tap into our ocean’s resources to generate clean energy in an environmentally sound and safe manner. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have contributed a lot towards the jump start of the new green future, by giving 5 billion to low-income home weatherization projects; $600 million in green job training programs; $100 million to expand line worker training programs; and $500 million for green workforce training, and much more. I love the fact that America is just not sitting around anymore, they are taking action to the increasing problems that energy brings. If we keep our plans and promises, we will be right next to China, and possibly be the country that they turn to when they need help. Want to read more? Click Here

The White House. (2008). Energy and Environment. Retrieved on November 16, 2009 from
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/energy-and-environment/

What's happening in Alaska?

On January 16, 2009,Governor Sarah Palin announced a plan that identifies energy options for Alaska, because Alaska relies mostly on diesel generators; this new plan is designed to help Alaska use more renewable energy instead. Its goal is to have 50 percent of Alaska's electricity generated by renewable energy by 2025. This goal will be achieved only if Alaskans, the legislature, local and regional governments, the University of Alaska, and the private sector to work together. This plan can work if Alaskans use local resources to generate heat and electricity. I think that once Alaska achieves this goal, the other states will start to follow our foot steps. Want to find out more about this article or Alaska's energy projects? Click Here

U.S. Department of Energy. (2008). EERE State Activities and Partnerships. Retrieved on November 15, 2009, from
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/states/news_detail.cfm/news_id=12202

What is China Doing about Energy?

China has recently announced that they have decided to go green and have made a plan. They are expected to boost renewable energy capacity up by 10 percent by 2020. They passed a law requiring power grid operators to purchase from renewable energy producers only. If they cannot afford to purchase renewable energy products, the government will provide incentives. Because China's economy grew so rapidly, it lead to a rise in harmful emission and more power shortages. China's new law was designed to help prevent problems like the power shortages, the environment, and help reduce the dependency on foreign energy sources. According to the law, renewable energy includes: hydroelectricity, wind power, solar energy, geothermal energy and marine energy. According to Yu Jie, China will become the world's leader in renewable energy development and people from all over the world will want to become like China, where it is all about conserving energy. I think that China is great for thinking about this idea. Actually, a lot of other people have thought about it too, but they are the first to take action. If Americans and the other countries do not act fast, we will not be able to ever catch up. And like Jie said, they will become the world's leader.
If you want to read more about this please Click Here.

Renewable Energy World. (2009) . Retrieved on November 14, 2009 from
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea//news/article/2005/03/china-passes-
renewable-energy-law-23531

More Jobs Comes With Renewable Energy

This article talks about how renewable energy can actually create more jobs than fossil fuels already do. In the recent years, renewable energy has given our country over 2.3 million people jobs. There could even be a further 2.1 million jobs for wind power, and 6.3 million jobs for solar power by the year 2030. This means that there would be an additional 20 million jobs! What a great way to invest in a more dependable and stable future. I witnessed the people affected by the recession and do not wish to witness it again.

Hydroelectric power in the U.S.

Hydroelectric energy is still being used in the United States, although the more popular energy is now coal. Hydroelectric energy still accounts for 10% of the U.S. electrical outputs. Critics wants the hydroelectric dams to be destroyed in regards to the high demands for solar and wind power. Also, they want the natural river flow back so more fishes would be restored. Critics think that, because of these dams, the fish's population have decreased. On the other hand, we have supporters of hydroelectric powers. Supporters says that hydroelectric powers reduces air pollution due to the unnecessary need to burn fossil fuels. Not just that, but it creates healthy drinking water for citizens. Another point made by supporters is that if the dams are destroyed, America would rely more on foreign oil.

Want to Know Some Fun Facts?

Fun facts about wind power

-Wind farms currently produce enough electricity to meet the needs of more than 600,000 families in the United States.

-The largest wind turbine in the world, located in Hawaii, stands 20 stories tall and has blades the length of a football field.

-An average wind speed of 14 miles per hour is needed to convert wind energy into electricity.

Fun facts about biomass energy

-Almost half of the renewable energy produced in the United States comes from biomass sources, like wood and paper products.

Fun facts about hydro power energy

-Water power has been used for grinding grain for more than 2,000 years.

-Worldwide, water is the most commonly used renewable energy resource, providing enough power to meet the needs of 28.3 million consumers.

Fun facts on solar power

-More than 10,000 homes in the United States are powered entirely by solar energy.

-Enough sunlight falls on the earth's surface every hour to meet world energy demand for an entire year.

-In the 1830s, the British astronomer John Herschel used a solar collector box to cook food during an expedition to Africa.

Fun facts about geothermal energy

-Volcanoes and geysers are examples of geothermal energy.

-In 1864, a hotel in Oregon heated rooms using geothermal energy from underground hot springs.

How about saving some energy and money?

Want to learn about how you can save money and help consume energy? I have gathered 10 top tips to get you started. It is very important that you read and leave with helpful information.

1) Your thermostat plays a big role. Turn your thermostat to below 74 degrees and that will save you an approximate 5-20% on your heating costs. When you are leaving your house just turn down the thermostat to about 55 degrees and that can also help you.

2) Conserve water! Try to take showers instead of baths. Not just that, but try to cut your shower time in half and that will save you 33% on your water bill. By the way, scientist has said we should not take showers everyday because our body needs that PH on our skin to protect it. If we shower everyday we are washing away our PH. So, consider skipping days to take showers. Use cold water to wash clothes instead of hot. Only use the dish washer when you have a full load.

3) Want to stay warm this winter? You can change the filter on your furnace once a month and that will reduce your heating cost by 5%. Also, stay on top of your game by constantly tuning up your furnace.

4) How about those leaks? You can reduce the amount of energy used to heat your home by simply sealing up leaks and windows.

5) Ever remember to unplug anything? Research has found that even when an electronic is turned of but plugged in, it is still eating up electricity. Either you remember to unplug individual electronics or plug them into strips, that way it is easier to unplug just one.

6) Sealing up your windows with clear plastic bags can reduce heat loss. If you have windows to the south, you can leave the blinds open to let sunshine in to help keep the place warm and close them at night to help keep chills out.

7) Lights, Lights, Lights! You've heard of this already and you will hear it again. Change from regular light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs. Fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less energy than regular ones, and lasts up to 10 times longer. Also, just turning off the lights in a room when leaving is helpful too. Even more helpful is if everyone does their work in the living room instead of their own individual rooms.

8) Do you warm up your car at least 20 minutes before driving it? That is a habit that you should NOT do. Its an easy way to waste fuel, and energy. The best way to warm up your car in the winter time is letting it warm up for 30 seconds and driving it. Speeding is a big energy waste. If you switch from driving 75 mph to 65 mph, you will use 15% less fuel.

9)Vacuum the refrigerator at least twice a year to keep the compressor running efficiently. Make sure you do not leave the fridge or oven doors open. Keep the fridge's temperature to about 36-38 degrees only, and do not overload the fridge or freezer.

10) This may not save money, but it will definitely play a role in saving energy and the planet. Bring your own reusable shopping bag to the store. Whether you are shopping for food or clothes. Buy paper products instead of plastics if you must use disposable. Use a water bottle instead of constantly buying plastic bottles.

So spread the word and help save energy and the money in your bank!

Check this out!--->

In one energy blog, another student wrote about energy too. He talked in detail of how they built their own heating system in their cabin. The idea of your own heating system is pretty incredible and unique. I think that if I had a cabin I would do the same thing too, because I would not worry too much about the bills. Not just would it save me energy, it would also save me money. I think that if America would be taught how to build a little heating system generated by the wind, we all would consume less energy. People are lacking this idea because they are not being educated as to how important this can be and how it can benefit us in the long run. Want to read more on his blog? Click Here --->http://suppliedenergyuse.blogspot.com/

My BP calculator results

I went onto the BP website and found out an estimated guess of how much energy I use in one year. According to the BP energy calculator, I use about 20170 kwh/year. What is a kwh? A kwh is a unit for measuring energy over time. The average household uses 21600 kwh/year, but the government considers 4140 kwh/year to be a good low energy usuage. So, if that is the case then I will really look into what I can do to change that number. I did not know that I was using that much energy, although that seems to be pretty average. But, again that is why America needs to change the way that they use energy. If you are interested in calculating your energy usage go to http://www.bp.com/productlanding.do?categoryId=6941&contentId=7050870. Come back and tell me your results!

My thoughts on Thomas Freidman's thoughts

"The New Sputnik"

Thomas Friedman, who is a columnist for The New York Times,wrote about the big decission that China made. China had decided to "go green". All of the people that live there are no longer able to do anything due to the pulluted air. China knows that if they do not start changing to cleaner energy, they will die from their own developments. Friedman mentioned that this action taken by China is a wake up call to us, like when the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik, the worlds first Earth-orbiting satellite, in 1957. We are falling behind China just like we were with the Soviet Union. China's politicians realized that they have a pollution problem while America's politicians are more focused on the coal and oil industries.

I think that what Thomas Friedman is saying is right. We, as Americans, need to wake up and smell the air. We need to take action as to what we can do to help save energy and our world. For the past few months while shopping I realized that they are selling reusable bags everywhere you turn, and in every store you go into. But, everyone who is shopping still does not want to spend $1.99 on a reusable bag. Instead, they want to use plastic bags. It made me aware that because of people's decision like this, that is why America is falling behind on improving the air quality. Little decisions like walking to school and the grocery store can help save energ. So think about it, what are you doing right now to help America be on top of their game?

What is Energy?

Energy gives us the ability to move and do things. It gives us light, warms our bodies, lets us drive, keeps our food refrigerated, and much more. An important source of energy comes directly from the sun, because as humans, we do not make energy in our bodies. Therefore, we have to eat plants that store energy from the sun as sugars. Our bodies stay warm by using the sugars as energy to make heat. Also, energy keeps things moving. Such as, cars, sail boats, and toys. Cars use the energies stored in gasoline; sail boats uses the wind to help move them around while at sea; and toys uses the energies stored in batteries.We need energy to run our t.v, listen to the radio, switch the lights on and off, but only in the form of electricity. We make electricity by burning coal, oil, gas, and even trash. We are able to make this by using the energy from the sun, wind, and falling water. Sometimes, we use heat from inside the earth to make energy. Did you know that it is the same energy now as to when the earth started? When we use energy, we do not use it up, but instead we change it into different forms. There will always be the same amount of energy in the world, more of it will be changed into heat instead. Most of the heat will go into the air, and it will be harder for us to use it.