Throughout this semester, my Environmental senior seminar class has discussed energy in multiple capacities. For one of our first class meetings we read the article “Hydrocarbons in North America” by J. David Hughes which informs the reader about the United States' current energy situation. Hughes' article says that “North America's massive energy diet is largely made up of hydrocarbons— a full 83 percent comes from oil, gas, and coal, and if we include nuclear energy, 91 percent comes from nonrenewable fuel sources” (Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century's Sustainability Crisis).
As society grows we increase our use of these hydrocarbons. The result is that our dependency on its suppliers also increase. In fact, the United States requires international trade to meet its energy needs. This dependency is unhealthy, to say the least. Check out the video below from Bill Moyer's Journal which shows the dependency we have on foreign energy sources in the Middle East.
So, my new challenges beginning today include:
- Assess current energy consumption habits. Walk from room to room in your home. List everything in each room that uses energy to operate (i.e., electricity, oil, gas batteries). Put a star next to any item that you would ordinarily use in the remaining four day of your No Impact Experiment.
- Next to each starred item, indicate if you are going to ELIMINATE or MITIGATE your usage of that item. Not sure how to live without your fill in the blank? Brainstorm and spark a conversation with others online.
- Unplug! Turn it off. Power down. Go off the grid. For the truly adventurous, turn off your electricity completely and see what happens.
- Ask yourself throughout the day: What is the hardest part about reducing the amount of energy you use?
- Write down five things for which you are grateful.
(Source: No Impact Experiment How To Manual)
The first thing I did today was assess my current energy use habits. As directed, I went from room to room in my apartment to see what items I use that require energy. I also noted what type of energy each of these items require and starred items that I ordinarily use. Beside each starred item, I note how I will lessen my energy use with this item either by 1) mitigating or 2) eliminating. Below are my results.
- Bedroom: alarm clock (AA battery)* mitigate
- Bedroom: wall clock (AA battery)* eliminate
- Bedroom: lamp (electricity)
- Bedroom: PC (electricity)* mitigate
- Bedroom: cell phone charger (electricity)* mitigate
- Bedroom: mini-fridge (electricity)
- Bedroom: overhead light (electricity)* mitigate
- Bathroom: hairdryer (electricity)* mitigate
- Bathroom: overhead lights (electricity)* mitigate
- Kitchen: overhead lights (electricity)* eliminate
- Kitchen: stove and oven (electricity)* mitigate
- Kitchen: microwave (electricity)
- Kitchen: refrigerator (electricity)* mitigate
- Living room: TV & DVD player (electricity)
- Living room: overhead lights (electricity)* mitigate
- Living room: 2 lamps (electricity)
Since putting the challenge to mitigate and eliminate energy into effect, I directly experienced the difficulty to maintain my lifestyle. So many items that I starred I do not know how to survive without. My alarm clock is vital. Without my computer, I could not get any work done or access the Internet (as I am doing right now). All the starred kitchen related appliances let me eat. I suppose from one perspective I have a long way to go in lessening my environmental impact. On the other hand, my results show me that society has become accustomed to consuming energy. Thus, I can now see on a personal level what Bill Moyers is pointing out in the above video for our entire country. We as a whole are a nation dependent on energy. As energy resources are depleting, we must learn to adapt in order to survive and end situations like those currently taking place in the Middle East.
In addition to that observation, I have also noticed that the greatest challenge of today's task is to find a substitute of energy consuming items that meet the same function. I know to a large degree, I am unable to see solutions because I am engrossed in my present lifestyle. But, I do see a few possibilities such as letting my hair dry naturally and eating foods that do not require cooking. I've also come to realize that I do not always need to flip the light switch. Natural sunlight is a great source of light.
At the same time, some solutions would require consuming in order to substitute my current items for new ones. One that I have thought about during today is purchasing a wind-up clock. While this solution would answer today's challenge, it goes against Sunday's consumption challenge. It is amazing how interconnected all these issues are and how one solution may lead you to the next one to solve.
To close today, I will share with you five more things for which I am grateful:
- my dog, Sally, being with me since I was eight years old
- the ability to read and write
- being able to speak in English and Spanish
- my church family at Ashland UMC
- the Environmental Studies program at Wofford College
Until tomorrow,
Krista
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