Electricity

Nearly 30 percent of the Puget Sound region's greenhouse gas emissions come from our energy consumption - energy burned to heat, cool and light our schools and homes, and keep our appliances running.

Though locally-generated hydropower currently provides most of the electricity for our region, we also rely on fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil for our other energy needs. Without changes in the way we produce or use power, emissions from these sources are projected to grow significantly in the coming decades - accounting potentially for over half of the projected increases in greenhouse gases through 2020.

The solution? Use less power, more efficiently - and invest more in clean alternatives. Through conservation, improved energy efficiency, and the development of clean, "green" renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, we can reduce our use of fossil fuels - and related greenhouse gas emissions.

Through these activities students will learn to calculate how much electricity is used for lighting their classroom, as well as the resulting CO2 emissions. Students will also learn about energy efficiency and conservation, and how these strategies can be used to reduce emissions.