Building Green Homes
If fossil fuels continue being consumed at the current rate, this is the estimated time until depletion.
Our carbon footprint helps to determine the impact we have on earth's atmosphere.
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere both directly and indirectly as a result of human activity.[1] It measures the number of earth's that would be needed if everyone on earth consumed the same amount of resources as the person calculating the footprint. In the U.S. home energy use accounts for 27% of your carbon footprint!
[1] Time for Change, "What is a Carbon Footprint-Definition", Accessed 20 Sept. 2014
Why Should You Care
About Energy Efficiency?
This graph displays the tons of CO2 emmissions per capita in the United States for each of the categories listed. After travel, housing emitts the most carbon emissions.
Most of the energy consumed in our
homes comes from the burning of fossil fuels, which are
non-renewable. Fossil fuels are made up of the remains of
dead plants and animals from thousands of years ago, fossil fuels
are considered non-renewable because they will run out one day. In addition to running out, the burning of fossil fuels for energy generates greenhouse gases which damage the ozone layer. Very little energy comes from renewable, clean sources like solar or wind energy. Only 13% of all electricity produced in the U.S. is from renewable resources, which is why it is so important to recognize how much energy we use in our homes. The demand for energy is increasing but the resources are running out. Renewable resources are becoming the future of energy.
Here is a TEDx Talk about Energy Efficient Homes with Scott Bergford, who builds homes that are certified to the highest ranking of sustainability and energy efficiency.
