Agricultural practices and food production have evolved from hunting and gathering and small-scale agricultural production to the massive high-yield food systems we see today. Thanks to modern energy, new technology, and scientific discoveries, we have succeeded in maximizing and modifying food production to fit people's unique desires. Yet, not all is well in the food industry. Fueled by the desire to provide grocery stores with excessive amounts of aesthetically pleasing produce and meat, unhealthy and environmentally damaging practices like the use of harmful fertilizers and pesticides, the overconsumption of water, and deforestation have become part of the standard around the globe. To make matters worse, about one-third of the food produced worldwide is lost or wasted. With food insecurity rates rising and the impact of climate change creating dangerous obstacles around the globe, changing the way in which we view food and our natural resources has become a necessity. 

Consequently, people everywhere have now taken a step back to analyze their daily habits. While many of these problems require institutional changes and government support for the development of more sustainable systems like vertical farming or aquaponics, there are actions you can take at home to alleviate the impact on the planet. Growing your own food garden, for example, is one of the most fulfilling ways to connect with nature and create a more direct connection with food in your home. 

Eat fresh produce 

By growing your own food garden in your yard, even a small one, with the help of indoor gardening tools like Smart Gardens or Hydroponic kits, if you live in an apartment, you can take full control of the quality of the produce you consume. Often, large food producers will trade quantity and aesthetics for quality and nutrition. By planting your own fruits, vegetables, and garnishes, you can grow ingredients with high-quality soil and skip the harmful chemicals and pesticides that you would otherwise consume. What better way to lead a clean, healthy lifestyle than by ensuring your food is packed with nutrients? You could even take things to the next level by playing around with different types of soils and varieties of seeds to modify the sweetness or overall taste of what you grow. 

Compost

Even when growing your own food, you are likely to end up with some leftovers. Thankfully, if you have a garden, you can use things you would ordinarily throw out, like egg shells, vegetable scraps, stale bread, coffee grounds, or even coffee filters to fuel a compost to add essential vitamins and minerals to your garden. In the end, it's a win-win; you can reduce food waste and improve the quality of the food on your table. 

Save water

According to the 2022 UN World Water Development Report, an astonishing 70% of groundwater withdrawals worldwide are being used agriculturally to produce food, livestock, industrial crops, and fibers. Water, as abundant as it may seem in certain parts of the world, is a limited resource and should be used strategically and with caution. By taking the time to grow a personal food garden for you and your family, you can use different techniques and technologies to make your garden as water-efficient as possible. 

Improving our relationship and creating a more direct connection with food is essential for a prosperous, healthy future. Something as seemingly small as starting your own food garden can allow you to reduce waste, improve the quality of your food, save water, and take back control over what you consume. What you do matters, so take action and start making a difference. To learn more about the connection between human activities, energy, and the environment, visit Resourcefulness.org, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. For information on energy careers and fun energy-related activities, visit Smart Energy Education and Watt Watchers!

Water is essential to all life. We use it in our bodies to carry out cellular processes, in our land to grow food and raise livestock, and externally to keep ourselves and our surroundings sanitary. People lucky enough to live in a water-rich region are so accustomed to having water at arms reach 24/7 they often fail to see its unique value and lasting advantages. From agriculture and manufacturing to electricity and transportation, we need water for everything. So much so that steady access to clean, potable water can determine the prosperity of a community by facilitating gender equality, creating jobs, improving health, generating food, and allowing its members time to gain an education. 

Yet, despite the seemingly endlessness of our oceans, lakes, and rivers, water is a limited resource. While water covers approximately 71% of the Earth's surface, only about 3% is fresh. To make matters worse, about 2.5% of this freshwater is trapped in glaciers, and polar ice caps, are too polluted or are far too deep below the surface to be accessed economically. This leaves only .5% of the Earth's water as fresh and available for human use and consumption. With water demand only rising worldwide, we must take a step back and analyze the long-term impact of our actions. 

The United Nations 2023 World Water Day campaign is all about taking action and accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. Being aware of the problems associated with water is not enough. There needs to be a conscious and active change in your activities. Participating in this means increasing your awareness of the water intensity of the products you consume and the habits you form. Then, make adjustments to ensure you use the least amount of water possible. Everything from the clothes you buy and the food you eat to the transportation and appliances you use needs to be taken into consideration. 

We understand knowing where to start can seem overwhelming at first. But there is no need to worry. We have you covered. Here are three easy ways you can take action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis. 

Use less energy

You might not think of water use when you turn your lights on. However, the power plants responsible for powering your home often require extreme amounts of water for mechanical power and cooling. So, turn off the lights when you leave an empty room, unplug your appliances when not in use, and opt for more energy-efficient appliances. These will all allow you to save valuable gallons of water. 

Eat and drink responsibly.

The agriculture industry is responsible for 70% of global water consumption. Additionally, deforestation, fertilizer and pesticide pollution, and carbon emissions from livestock all complicate our ability to access our water resources. For these reasons, being conscious of the types of products you buy by ensuring sustainable practices are being used to produce the products you consume can make a massive difference regarding your impact on the world's water resources.

Reduce contamination and pollution. 

Highly polluting products like industrial chemicals, soaps, and agricultural waste can make water in nearby regions unsafe for human consumption. This can cause severe health problems for people worldwide, although most often in rural and low-income communities, and further exacerbate the existing difficulties in accessing clean water. By reducing your consumption of industrial products and supporting companies that produce products through sustainable and ecologically friendly practices, you can help ensure the available water stays clean and safe for everyone. 

Conserve water

The easiest way to help combat the water and sanitation problem is to conserve water at home. Adjusting your habits by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth and filling buckets with water in the shower while you wait for the water to heat up can make a huge difference. 

Smart Energy Education is proud to celebrate World Water Day in 2023. Visit our website here, as well as Watt Watchers and Resourcefulness, to learn more about energy resources, energy careers, and more! And don't forget to follow us on Facebook. 

The Industrial Revolution brought about a sequence of events that dramatically changed the planet's trajectory. After centuries of consistency, the days of monarchies, travel on horseback, and buying clothes strictly out of necessity slowly faded into the past. New technologies and the ability to use natural resources to maximize and produce energy made it possible for inventions like the steam engine, electric generators, and the incandescent lightbulb to bring humanity into a new age. In a short span, factories made it possible for clothing to be more accessible to the average person. Trains and then cars became standard methods of transportation. Suddenly, crops could be grown in abundance like never before. 

The ability to use the power of energy to make manufacturing goods, transportation, and producing food more efficient eliminated obstacles communities had faced for centuries. Cities grew into the clustered, bustling areas we are familiar with today. Likewise, medications and health improved, and the quality of life for many was greatly enhanced. Parallel to these strides forward came new inventions meant to make our lives easier and solve existing problems. 

Plastic is one such invention. Plastic is created with fossil fuels and was invented as a diverse synthetic material that can be used for nearly any product. Its durable, water resistant, made to last, and cheap to produce, making it a popular medium for everything from containers and water bottles to clothes and home decorations. 

Unfortunately, using fossil fuels to create energy, goods, and more has proved to have adverse side effects on the environment. In the case of plastic, the fossil fuels used throughout its production release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, increasing the severity of the greenhouse effect and contributing to global warming and climate change. At the same time, most plastics produced worldwide are single-use, meaning they are discarded nearly immediately after they are sold. These plastics are then disposed of in landfills or the ocean, where they can take 400 years to decompose, all the while releasing additional CO2 into the atmosphere, damaging wildlife and exacerbating the already damaging cycle of contamination, human activities, and the environment. 

To make matters worse, because plastic takes so long to break down, eventually, tiny little pieces of plastic end up being released into the environment. These are known as microplastics and are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Their effects on the human body have not been well-researched at this time. Yet, they have been detected in commonly eaten fish, drinking water, beer, and even in the air. 

While plastic continues to be an ongoing, imminent problem, some nations have begun to take action to reduce its impact. With African countries like Kenya and South Africa leading the way, there is hope for a plastic-free future. 

Kenya's strict ban on single-use plastics includes a $40,000 fine for companies that don't comply. In Rwanda, a national ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags was instituted in 2008, and in Cameroon, non-biodegradable plastics were banned entirely in 2014. While implementing and enforcing these laws have been challenging, innovative solutions are being developed to tackle the problem. In 2023, nations like Canada and England announced their own efforts to combat the plastic crisis.

Human activities have a significant impact on the planet. What we dump into our oceans and lakes, what we burn into the air, and what we bury under the ground ends up in the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the food we eat. Ridding the world of toxic waste is paramount for a healthy future. 
To learn more about the impact of human activities on the environment and energy resources, visit Resourcefulness.org. Also, discover amazing energy careers and energy-related activities through Smart Energy Education and Watt Watchers. Also Available on Instagram and Facebook!

Coral reefs are often associated with white sandy beaches, uniquely patterned fish, and brightly colored corals just below the water's surface. We think of corals as the finishing touch to a tropical paradise full of crystal-clear ocean water. But did you know that coral reefs are some of the most complex ecosystems on the planet? The many different types of corals that exist can be found in both shallow, clear water as well as murky, deep, cool water and are responsible for supporting the life of millions of organisms and marine life. In fact, scientists estimate that there are millions of undiscovered species that could be the key to the development of revolutionary medications for everything from cancer and viruses to bacterial infections. 

The Great Barrier Reef alone contains over 400 species of coral, 1,500 species of fish, and 4,000 different species of mollusks. The coral triangle, the most biodiverse coral reef on the planet, is home to 30% of the world's reefs, 37% of the world's coral reef fish, six of the seven marine turtle species, blue whales, sperm whales, 600 different species of corals, and more. In addition to their biodiversity, coral reefs provide an important layer of protection to coastal communities by absorbing the impact of the waves crashing on the coast, reducing the damage caused by storms.

Unfortunately, coral reefs are also highly delicate ecosystems. Human activities have proved detrimental to their survival. For example, without certain levels of grazing fish to keep algae from overgrowing, the corals are unable to obtain the nutrients needed to thrive in their environment, impacting their health significantly. This makes overfishing and using explosives to kill many fish at once extremely destructive to the reef, making it even more difficult for it to grow and thrive. Cruise ships, dredging, and land development similarly carve corals from the ground to make room for docks and alter the landscape. To complicate matters even more, the beauty of corals has become a popular aesthetic. Consequently, leading to their removal for aquariums, jewelry, and at times recreational misuse through touching and breaking during swimming and snorkeling. 

It's also important to remember that there are harmful activities we participate in daily far from the shore that make it extremely difficult for coral reefs to grow and thrive—primarily CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and plastic waste. As CO2 is released into the atmosphere, it cannot escape due to the greenhouse effect. The excess CO2 then causes excess heat, which is absorbed primarily by the world's oceans. Corals are impacted because they have more difficulty creating new coral in this warmer environment. At the same time, the excess CO2 itself also gets absorbed into the planet's oceans. This phenomenon leads to ocean acidification. Shell builders like oysters and corals rely on creating new skeletons and shells by combining calcium and carbonate from their environment. However, as the ocean's acidity increases, it becomes nearly impossible for the shells and skeletons to form. 

Communities worldwide rely on the biodiversity of coral reefs for food, tourism, and recreation. With an estimated 100 million dollar value, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. fisheries from coral reefs are a significant source of income for people around the globe. They are an essential part of the economy and the ecosystem and should be protected at all costs.  

For more information on energy and the impact of human activities on the environment, visit Resourcefulness.org, and don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. If you really want to make a difference, discover amazing energy-related careers and activities through Smart Energy Education and Watt Watchers. 

The modern-day person can walk into a grocery or convenience store and buy products with ten ingredients they have never heard of before. In fact, there are some common ingredients that can be found in most of our everyday products whose origin and environmental impact are a mystery to the average person despite their significance. One such ingredient is palm oil. 

As an odorless, colorless, semi-solid oil at room temperature that is resistant to oxidation, palm oil can be used as a natural preservative and help maintain the perfect creamy consistency in countless products ranging from ice cream and butter to lipsticks and deodorants. Its stability at high temperatures makes it an ideal ingredient for cooking, and can even be found in some types of gasoline. 

On top of the useful properties mentioned above, the oil palm tree is one of the highest-yielding crops in the world, meaning it can produce high quantities of oil through minimal amounts of land. Palm seed oil has therefore become a cheap alternative to vegetable oils such as olive, grapeseed, or coconut oil. This final factor makes palm oil one of the most versatile and profitable ingredients on the market. These combined properties have made palm oil one of the world's most commonly used ingredients and can currently be found in nearly 50% of the packaged goods in stores. So, why is palm oil a problem? 

Native to tropical regions and initially discovered in West Africa, the palm tree fruit is currently grown primarily in South East Asia. Unfortunately, despite the crop's ability to produce large amounts of oil with minimal land, its drastically high demand has made it one of the primary drivers of deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia, which currently produce 85% of the world's palm oil. 

These and other tropical regions have a delicate and essential ecosystem that relies on their tropical forests. Local species like the endangered orangutan rely on the forest for food and shelter. Additionally, the Earth depends on forests and jungles to absorb carbon dioxide and solar radiation. Rainforests produce 20% of the planet's Oxygen and return 50% of its precipitation into the atmosphere through evaporation, serving as a critical regulator of rainfall around the globe. 

By tearing down acres of rainforest to plant palm oil trees, exorbitant amounts of CO2 are released into the atmosphere. At the same time, the amount of Oxygen produced is being reduced, and native species' habitats are broken down to nothing. To make things more problematic, the harvesting process in palm oil-producing countries has been known to use child labor and other unethical practices. Unsustainable palm oil production does more than promote deforestation. Additionally,uprooting thousands of acres of rainforest to make room for palm oil trees over time disrupts the region's water cycle. A lack of greenery to absorb rainwater leads to excessive runoff. This drastically reduces the amount of water available to evaporate back into the atmosphere, impacting rain patterns in surrounding regions and leading to excessive runoff. Natural disasters (link natural disasters post here) like floods are then much more likely to occur. 

The ingredients used to create the food, cosmetics, and anything else we use in our daily lives come from somewhere. We may not always see the raw ingredients or even know their origin, yet, their impact may be greater than you imagine. Palm oil may be one of the most revolutionary ingredients discovered and utilized in modern-day products. Yet, if it is not produced ethically and sustainably, its downsides far outweigh its benefits. Understanding its environmental, social, and cultural impacts is extremely important. 

To learn more about how human activities impact the environment and the world's energy resources, visit Resourcefulness.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook. For information on energy careers and fun energy related activities visit Smart Energy Education and Watt Watchers.

Global warming has become one of modern history's most talked about topics. When combined with the plastic epidemic, water scarcity, deforestation, and pollution, there are more concerns surrounding the health of our planet and the future of civilization today than ever before. So what causes global warming, and what does it have to do with natural disasters? Global warming is primarily attributed to the magnification of the greenhouse effect sparked by excess carbon emissions released during human activities. Everything from agriculture, industry and transportation to the expansion of communities contributes to the problem. 

The greenhouse effect, normally responsible for the regulation of the Earth's temperature, has received an influx of CO2 in the past 200 years since the start of the industrial revolution. This change in the atmosphere has then resulted in excess heat and the warming of the planet. Natural occurrences like storms, hurricanes, and floods, whose events and intensities are ordinarily entirely out of our hands, are further fueled by the newfound heat absorbed from the atmosphere. 

Droughts 

Droughts are an ordinary part of the weather cycle for many regions. However, increasing temperatures caused by global warming have resulted in unusual weather patterns followed by extreme water shortages in places where extensive drought is ordinarily unheard of, like Europe. Such severe weather kills vegetation and makes it difficult or, at times, impossible for agriculture professionals to do their job. Additionally, the hydropower communities rely on for electricity becomes less efficient, depleting the electricity resources for people worldwide. Without sufficient water for crops or cattle or enough energy to power people's homes and businesses, communities have to resort to burning even more fossil fuels—increasing prices and further contributing to the problem of global warming and climate change. 

Floods 

The increasing atmospheric temperatures reached by burning fossil fuels create an environment that can hold more water in the air. This means larger storm clouds and significantly heavier rains. The combination of melting glaciers, a lack of greenery to absorb excess water due to deforestation, and more aggressive storms then leads to a greater chance of extreme weather and uncontrollable flooding, even in regions nowhere near the ocean, rivers, or lakes. 

Hurricanes 

According to NASA, hurricanes need warm water, low, vertical wind sheer, lots of air moisture, and a pre-existing disturbance like a cluster of thunderstorms to form. While global warming may not influence the rate of hurricanes at this point, the heightened heat in the atmosphere leads to increased moisture in the air, which can fuel and increase the intensity of those that do form.

Such extreme weather impacts us all. It makes it difficult to produce food, access water, and ensure safe and reliable shelter and can impact multiple sectors of society worldwide. Finding sustainable energy alternatives and living a more resourceful lifestyle is paramount if we want to ensure a healthy future. To learn more about the impact of energy resources on the world, visit Resourcefulness, and to learn about energy careers and fun energy-related activities for kids, visit Smart Energy Education and Watt Watchers.  

2022 was a huge year for energy. An expected shift to renewables, halted following the energy crisis in Europe and further aggravated by the Russian war on Ukraine, left the energy sector in a scramble to get things back on track. The continued increase in the production of nonrenewable energy, such as coal, which is expected to reach its peak in 2023 as reported by the IEA, forecasts that co2 emissions will reach an all-time high in the coming years. 

Thankfully, the current energy prognosis is being taken more seriously now than ever. International pledges to contribute to the cause and reverse the world’s fate by reducing carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050 offer a glimmer of hope. The obstacles faced in 2022 have highlighted the importance of shifting to renewable energy to secure a more sustainable future. Additionally, investment in wind and solar has increased their efficiency and cost-effectiveness, allowing them to better compete in the market and become a progressively economical and ethical choice for businesses worldwide. Thanks to these trends, 2023 is set to provide ample opportunities in the energy sector. 

Trade Careers 

According to the Bureau of labor statistics, trade careers in wind and solar are expected to rise steadily. For example, a growth rate of 44% for wind turbine technicians and a 27% increase in solar photovoltaic installers in the next ten years forecasts the chance to make a steady, well-paying salary without a four-year college degree. Additionally, with the power to maximize the infrastructural efficiency of everything from homes and businesses to intricate city layouts, city plumbing, electrical systems, and more, trade professionals with clean energy credentials are already playing an essential role in the future of sustainable energy and will continue to do so throughout 2023.  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is the digitalization of human decision and problem-solving capabilities so that they may be performed independently by a digital platform. The application of AI is important because it offers the ability to provide consistent technology solutions. For example, a modern-day short-term weather forecast utilizes the current day’s weather activities to predict those of the following day. Additional predictions are combined using the initial weather condition to create various weather outcome possibilities. 

The time and effort needed to make these changes and develop different possibilities can be significant. Lacking data, additionally, reduces the accuracy of the outcomes. For these reasons, researchers like atmospheric sciences professor Dale Durran at the University of Washington believe AI could be the missing link when improving the reliability of weather forecasting technology. 

By using AI, significantly more simulations can be run to represent a much broader range of weather outcomes over longer spans, increasing the accuracy of the predictions. If applied successfully, AI could be used for much more than weather forecasting and become a game changer for long-term sustainability in clean energy and the shift to renewables. Consequently, computational engineering, programming, and software development, while not strictly energy-related careers, will have a significant and increasingly important role in the energy sector. 

Electric Vehicles (EV)

Electric Vehicles were a hot topic in 2023. Launched into the spotlight by Tesla’s initial model in 2008, over time, EVs have proven to have the potential to provide a cleaner alternative to cars run on fossil fuels. However, the source of the vehicle’s electricity will determine the co2 emissions of the vehicle and should be considered before purchasing. 

Moreover, 2023 will be a significant year for new EV technology. With a wider variety of options, consumers can weigh the pros and cons of an EV to help reduce co2 emissions. New technology, such as that involved in the development of battery technology, will offer unique career opportunities and, through their ability to make a vehicle more efficient, will provide a secondhand contribution to renewable energy.

For more information on energy, water, and energy careers, visit Watt Watchers and Smart Energy Education. And don’t forget to follow the Smart Energy Education Facebook page for updates on all our projects, scholarship opportunities, blog posts, and more!

You may not think of glaciers very often. After all, to the average person, they are little more than giant chunks of ice floating around somewhere far away. And in a sense, those who think this are correct. A glacier is fundamentally nothing more than the accumulation of snow compacted over thousands of years to become solid ice. The ice’s density allows the glaciers to float slowly, creating massive rivers of ice that can, over centuries, carve and reshape entire landscapes. Yet, they do much more than float around and break down rocks. Their role in Earth’s delicate environment is much more significant than one might initially consider. 

How do glaciers impact the environment? 

Glaciers hold 68.7% of the total freshwater found on Earth and can be found primarily in polar regions. In fact, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), 91% of glaciers are found in Antarctica, while the rest float around in regions like Greenland, Alaska, South America, and New Zealand. These giant masses of ice supply fresh running water to the environment as they slowly melt throughout warmer, dryer seasons. This allows for life to flourish and survive harsh conditions year around. Additionally, as glacial water melts, its exceptionally cold temperature creates a dense body of water compared to the rest of the ocean. This allows it to sink to the bottom of the sea and travel south. As this happens, the warmer water that’s had some time to heat up with the sun and the atmosphere rises to the top and heads to the poles, primarily the North pole, where it will freeze and sink over time. This constant movement of water is what brings us ocean currents. 

Sea Level 

If a glacier is unable to replenish its volume at the same rate as it melts, the quantity of water being released into the ocean will substantially increase. This has led to a rise in the Earth’s sea level, resulting in extreme and abnormal flooding in coastal regions. In some cases, such as the Solomon Islands, these ecosystems and communities have already begun to disappear entirely. Those who survive the floods, rains, and hurricanes are often left displaced and with millions of dollars worth of damages. 

Tides and currents 

As glaciers melt at increasing rates, not only does the sea level rise, the water becomes more even in temperature. This means that some of the extremely cold water that would usually sink to the bottom of the ocean and travel south is no longer cold enough to do so. Without these temperature changes, ocean currents cannot move at the same rate as before, slowing down or stopping ocean currents altogether in some areas. Consequently, the warmth normally brought to the northern hemisphere from southern regions does not make the trip, leading to dangerous, extreme temperatures and weather patterns that exacerbate climate change. 

How can you help keep glaciers intact? The release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere primarily contributes to the Earth’s rising atmospheric temperature. As a consumer, the impact of the manufacturing, agricultural, and production processes of the products we consume should be considered before buying. This means opting for products that require less processing and energy, using transportation that releases less or ideally no greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere and eating foods that are produced using sustainable practices. There are more sustainable ways to create and use energy, which is essential for the survival of the world’s glaciers and a more sustainable future. Visit Smart Energy Education, Watt Watchers and Resourcefulness.org to learn more about our energy resources and how you can make a difference.

The importance of clean energy and a healthy environment is everywhere nowadays. The average person is likely to encounter at least one campaign advocating for green practices through content on social media, advertisements, or even through their school or work. Vocabulary like conservation, sustainability, and efficiency are used repeatedly and often interchangeably. However, to truly grasp the goals of ecological movements and campaigns, understanding what each one means can come in handy. In light of new information surrounding green energy and sustainable practices, people around the globe are fighting to be part of the conversation. So what is the difference? And how can one get the most out of their conservation, sustainability, and efficiency efforts?

Conservation

Conservation in the context of energy and environmental movements refers to the actions that reduce energy consumption and, over time, reduce or eliminate waste—for example, taking shorter showers, turning off the lights when you leave a room empty, and turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth. By conserving the available energy, you can avoid overconsumption and save water, fossil fuels, natural gas, or other forms of energy that would have otherwise gone down the drain without being put to good use. 

Sustainability 

Sustainability can be defined as practices that ensure the longevity and accessibility of the resources used over time. For example, a fishing company that considers the fishes’ migratory patterns and mating seasons to avoid overfishing and ensure the survival of enough fish for generations to come is implementing sustainable practices. Similarly, clothes manufacturers who use materials derived from renewable resources, like wool, cotton, or linen, can produce clothing that is less damaging to the environment, especially when the item reaches the end of its life and likely end up in a landfill. Natural fibers ensure new fibers can be grown using eco-friendly practices. This ensures they have enough new plants to produce the clothes needed to sustain their business while continuing to create a biodegradable product, unlike synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, which can take years, even centuries, to decompose entirely.  

Efficiency

Scientifically, efficiency is defined as the practice of using resources in such a way that you get the maximum output with the minimum input possible. For example, a car that gets 40-50 miles per gallon is much more efficient than a car that only gets 10-20 miles per gallon. In the end, both vehicles can likely drive the same distance. However, the first will do so using much less energy. Efficiency is important because it can motivate people to improve the systems they have to save money, time, and resources, improve technology and standard practices, and lend a helping hand to the environment in the process. 

For more information on energy conservation, sustainability and efficiency, visit Watt Watchers and Smart Energy Education. And don’t forget to follow the Smart Energy Education Facebook page for updates on all our projects, scholarship opportunities, blog posts and more!

Prior to 1800, the population around the globe changed and grew at a relatively slow rate. The world population from 10,000 BC to 1700 only grew at a rate of about .04% annually. This growth rate remained consistent until after the 1800s. Starting at this time, however, a drastic jump can be seen on an international scale, with an increase from an estimated one billion people in 1800 to the 8 billion people who now inhabit the earth. 

The world population is now eight times what it was 222 years ago. In fact, it is estimated that 6.5% of all people born in the history of humanity are alive today. Such a drastic change is astonishing and can be credited to a variety of factors. Everything from scientific breakthroughs and improved medical practices to enhanced understanding surrounding hygiene, diet, and exercise have allowed the world to expand its population like never before. 

However, a unique characteristic of 1800 stands out as one of the primary factors responsible for the advances that gave us the advantages needed to grow as quickly as we did. The industrial revolution, which started in the late 1700s in Great Britain, marks a critical period for economic and technological advancement. Catapulted by the rise in coal production, the Industrial Revolution brought about a shift in the political and social tendencies of Great Britain. 

As a powerful energy source, coal facilitated the production of goods, products, and transportation through machines. The rise of the steam engine and large-scale factories, for example, enabled a new economy. Subsequently, the economic power in the region was distributed more evenly, strengthening the middle class. In facilitating the way we produce products, transport goods, and people, and grow food, people around the globe were able to improve their lives. The results of modern energy included the ability for more people to survive the world’s challenging ecosystems. Consequently, paving the path towards a faster-growing population. 

However, it’s important to note that economic prosperity leads to increased energy consumption. Likewise, rising population rates also lead to higher energy demand. In effect, this creates a system in which a booming economy and increasingly dense populations can often lead to the overconsumption of resources and environmental harm. With global warming, pollution, and dwindling essential resources like water, communities everywhere risk experiencing events like natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and food shortages like never before. 

So, what does an 8 billion population and counting mean for the future of energy? Increased population and shifting lifestyles mean more trade, cars, flights, food, and housing necessities. However, decreased greenhouse gas emissions are needed to reduce the impact of climate change, which poses a significant danger to communities worldwide. 

In a world with so many people and a yearly growing population, the need for innovative solutions, energy education, and sustainability practices are higher than ever before. The simple act of recycling and being mindful of the products you purchase, ensuring they are made responsibly, can make a huge difference. Even better, taking on an energy-related career, whether it be a four-year degree or a trade certification, can put you in a position to propel positive change from the inside. 

For more information on energy, energy careers, and fun energy saving activities, visit Smart Energy Education and Watt Watchers of Texas. And don’t forget to follow the Smart Energy Education Facebook page for updates on all our projects, scholarship opportunities, blog posts and more!

Why should we care about water?

As is discussed frequently in Smart Energy Education, water and energy share a unique and important relationship. We need energy to access water, and we need water to access energy. This connection, otherwise known as the energy-water nexus, is a pillar in our societies and intimately impacts the comfortability of our lives. We use water for everything from hygiene, cleaning, and watering our lawns to the cooling of the power plants that provide us with electricity and industrial processes that manufacture the products we love. Not to mention the water used to create energy through methods like hydroelectric dams. 

Additionally, water plays a key role in the health and balance of the environment. For example, as the water around the equator warms up and the water from the glaciers at the Earth’s poles melts, the warm water rises to the ocean’s surface, and the cold water sinks to the bottom, causing the ocean currents to come to life. These currents are then responsible for transporting warm water and carbon dioxide (which the ocean also absorbs from the atmosphere) more evenly around the globe. 

However, as greenhouse gas emissions increase the hot air and carbon dioxide trapped in the atmosphere, the excess heat absorbed by the ocean’s water can warm up the glacial water to abnormally high temperatures, keeping it from sinking as it usually would. Consequently, ocean currents can slow down or even cease movement altogether. This can cause changes in weather conditions and rising sea levels, leading to natural disasters like floods, droughts, and abnormal rain patterns. 

For these reasons, having a clear representation of where our water is, how much there is, where it is and where it will be in the future is essential to provide communities with a much-needed advantage. 

What is the NASA SWOT Mission? 

71% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. Yet, despite our water resources’ constant influence on our lives, data regarding water quantities are limited. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission is set to help NASA provide the very first global surface water survey. Through a satellite, researchers will be able to do everything from measuring the height of the water found on the Earth’s surface, including bodies of freshwater like rivers and lakes as well as the ocean, to collecting data on ocean features, specifically those less than sixty miles across. The spacecraft will even be able to observe in three dimensions the entire length of rivers wider than 330 feet. Additionally, they will be able to gather information on how global warming influences freshwater reservoirs, rivers, and lakes—allowing communities to better prepare in case of water-related natural disasters. 

The mission, set to launch on Thursday, December 15th, has been taken on with the help of an international and multidisciplinary team including NASA, Centre National D’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), along with contributions from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and United Kingdom Space Agency. Once launched, it will initiate one of the most in-depth investigations of the world’s water resources in history. 

In the face of climate change, increasing energy consumption, and an increasing population, the location, and accessibility of these essential water resources is crucial. If you are interested in learning more about water and energy, go to Smart Energy Education and Watt Watchers for resources, blogs, activities, and more! To learn more about the SWOT mission, visit their website here.

By now, we all know the story of Thanksgiving by heart. The pilgrims aboard the Mayflower arrived in America in 1620, hoping to start a new life. However, upon arriving, they found themselves ill-suited to handle the environment awaiting them. Hunger and disease ran rampant, eventually taking the lives of nearly half the settlers. That is until a member of a local native tribe decided to lend a helping hand and teach the newcomers how to grow corn, catch fish, extract maple from trees and avoid poisonous plants. Ultimately this new information gave the pilgrims the resources necessary to survive and eventually thrive in their new surroundings. 

Thanksgiving is now celebrated each year to remind Americans to be thankful for their food, drinks, homes, and the kindness of others. Yet, the underlying message of this historical event is that understanding your natural resources and learning how to obtain energy from them can change lives. You can have the best soil in the world, but if you don’t know how to harvest seeds, you won’t be able to eat from the land. Likewise, you can be surrounded by trees, but if you can’t make a fire, the trees will do little to provide heat. Thanks to the knowledge the pilgrims learned from the natives about their natural resources, they were able to create a better life. Likewise thanks to modern energy, the average American can now provide elaborate dinners for their families on Thanksgiving that the pilgrims could have only dreamed of. 

A modern-day Thanksgiving celebration typically involves travel to visit family, food, drinks, lights, ovens, fireplaces, speakers, and air conditioners running all day long. A huge amount of energy is involved. And with the renewed ability to gather, as we did pre-pandemic, the celebrations are expected to be over the top in 2022. However, as fun as this can be, the excessive waste that can accumulate during the Thanksgiving season is substantial. 

How can you reduce your environmental impact on Thanksgiving? 

Consider all the potential sources of waste that could result from your Thanksgiving celebration. 

The Menu 

The first thing that likely comes to mind is food waste. Leftovers are great, but an excessive amount leads to food being thrown in the trash. To avoid this, be diligent and get the exact headcount of your guests, then use a food quantity calculator like the one provided by Save The Food to calculate the precise amount needed to feed your party. 

Dishes

Thanksgiving requires a lot of hard work from the hosts of the party. When planning your dinner, it might be tempting to replace your standard dishes with disposable plates, cups, and silverware. Yet, with plastic and paper pollution on the rise, taking the time to wash the reusable dishes you have is a great way to reduce the environmental damage Thanksgiving can cause. 

Lighting and temperature control 

Any party you host is likely to result in a high energy bill. This is usually due to lights being left on in unoccupied rooms and open doors letting the AC out. To avoid unnecessary energy use, consider shutting off the lights and locking the doors in rooms you don’t want people to enter. You can also make a small decorative sign to remind your guests to turn off the lights when they leave the bathroom. Additionally, if luck is on your side and the weather is nice, consider shutting off the AC and opening the doors and windows. This could be especially handy if you have a yard and people will be coming in and out as they please. 

Our ability to harvest energy has changed the quality of life we can now enjoy. So this Thanksgiving, let’s not only give thanks to our family, friends and food, let’s also give thanks to the amazing natural resources that make our modern way of life possible. And more importantly, let us ensure we take the extra steps necessary to protect them and sustainably celebrate this upcoming holiday season.

For more information on energy and fun activities on saving energy in your home visit Watt Watchers and Smart Energy Education. And don’t forget to follow the Smart Energy Education Facebook page for updates on all our projects, scholarship opportunities, blog posts and more!