Mark your calendars now, for on March 28th, the World Wildlife Fund is leading their third annual “hour of darkness.” No, not a satanic cult rite, but in fact a short, global shout out that folks everywhere care about this big orb we live on. For one hour on Saturday night (8:30-9:30pm local), you’re asked [...]
Tag Archive > electricity
It’s not all fun and games. Or is it?
Is anyone else feeling the February blahs? I thought that this might be a good time to infuse our energy conversations with a little levity. After all, there’s no reason that saving the planet can’t be enjoyable, too! So to that end, here are a few discoveries that will not only educate and inform, but [...]
Easy Ways for Renters to Help Save the Planet
I’ve noticed that a lot of the articles about energy efficiency seem to focus on homeowners. Caulk this. Insulate that. Buy EnergyStar. But what of those poor schmucks amongst us who are still renters? We live in old buildings, don’t have a clue where our hot water heater is, and would kill for a washer [...]
What is a Watt Worth?
I was flipping through my bills the other day when I paused to look over my electric bill. With all of this talk about energy, I realized that I didn’t know much about my own personal energy use.
I know how much I pay each month to Pacific Gas & Electric, but how much energy do [...]
Keep a Cool Head with a Living Roof
So far, I’ve written mostly about nifty new ways to create energy. But the supply side is just one half of the equation. The other side is the increasing demand for energy.
While great steps are being made to find new and cleaner sources of energy all around us, the exponential use of power necessitated by [...]
Why Should We Care About Coal?
For me, the word “coal” conjures up images of hardened, black-faced men shoveling lumps into an ancient steam engine. Or perhaps corseted ladies in turn-of-the century England dusting black dust from their hems. “Why would we even talk about coal today?” I asked, “Who USES the stuff anymore? Didn’t we outgrow that along with [...]