Libraries
We Recommend - About the Environment
Welcome to GreenSpace, the library's source for locating information about our environment. Here you'll find shortcuts to catalog and article searches, news, recommended websites, plus tips and ideas for saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling, and more.
Latest News: AIRE - Climate blog | ENN | New York Times* | Washington Post (*Registration is free, but required)
It's not THE environment,
It's OUR environment.
Find Materials/Research Environmental Topics:
>> Search ACORN for books, videos, and more about our environment
>> Find articles about our environment with the Research Portal
Facts to Face - Save Energy, Save Money - Save the Planet
Wise Water Use - Professor Robert Farr's AIRE Tips: Shower
Drought conditions are present in nearby areas. "While droughts tend to be less spectacular than other types of natural disasters, they actually affect more people in North America than any other type of natural hazard. In addition, droughts are more costly to the United States than any other type of disaster, with losses of $6 to $8 billion every year."
Source: Virginia's Emergency Web site. Learn how drought affects everyone's life — and see what you can do to use water wisely. [more]
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
CFLs use only 1/4 to 1/3 as much electricity as regular bulbs, while producing the same amount of light. CFLs cost more to purchase than old-style bulbs, but CFL prices are falling...and they are available in a great variety of shapes and sizes. [more] Note: For safety reasons, burned out CFL bulbs should not be discarded in household trash, but taken to Arlington County's household hazardous materials (HHM) facility for safe disposal.
> > Before you buy, try the "bulb finder" and more at How to Choose the Right Light.
Over eight million tons of trees are consumed each year in the production of paper catalogs. If it seems like the postman is delivering most of those to your door, consider Catalog Choice. This free service can reduce your mailbox clutter, while helping save natural resources. Registration is free but required.
Fresh AIRE Hits the Big Screen, with the Energy Efficiency documentary. Read and watch.
Use less hot water
It takes a lot of energy to heat water. You can use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year) instead of hot.
Consider A Hybrid - Looking to buy a new car? First, check out our Consumer Subject Guide for Cars. Next, calculate your own cost of driving. Then, review the "Greenest vs. Meanest" ratings. For many reasons, you may consider a hybrid, which runs on a combination of a gasoline engine and electric motor. [more] And don't forget to watch tips from Professor Robert Farr, "Our Environmental Czar."
Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner. It can save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. [more]
Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible.
You can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide when you air dry your clothes for 6 months out of the year. Read more basic household energy efficiency tips.
"Watts killing you?"
Ask for a Kill A Watt™ meter next time you’re in an Arlington Public Library. Or search the library catalog, and reserve one with the Place Hold button. Take it home and connect your appliances and measure how efficient they are. Figure out your electrical costs by the hour, day, week, month, year. Then you can consider if power hungry appliances can be replaced with more energy efficient ones, or if some just need to be unplugged when not in us. According to EnergyStar, 40% of all electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Need more details? See this user’s review.
Buy locally grown and produced foods
The average meal in the United States travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate. Buying locally will save fuel and keep money in your community. Seek out and support local farmers markets, like Arlington's. They reduce the amount of energy required to grow and transport the food to you by one fifth. Find more farmer’s markets in the metro area with a search of the USDA site. And don't forget, to buy in season -this handy chart will help you remember!
Unplug electronics from the wall when you’re not using them.
"Even when turned off, things like hairdryers, cell phone chargers and televisions use energy. In fact, the energy used to keep display clocks lit and memory chips working accounts for 5 percent of total domestic energy consumption and spews 18 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year!" [learn more]
We all contribute to global warming every day. The average American generates about 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually, from personal transportation, home energy use and from the energy used to produce all of the products and services we consume - It adds up quickly. Calculate your personal impact to see how much CO2you produce each year. Then learn how you can take action to reduce or even eliminate your emissions of carbon dioxide.
Consider setting your thermostat around 68 degrees or so in winter. And install a programmable set-back thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home overnight and/or when you are not home. They can help you save up to $100 per year! [more]
Energy Saving & Green Living
Energy Resource Guide for Virginia
http://www.energyguide.ext.vt.edu/
Save yourself some energy--The Virginia Cooperative Extension has already gathered a detailed collection of "the best available web resources on energy. Discover the best available web-based resources on energy. Review recommended listings representing various universities, state and federal agencies, and energy related organizations. Access Using the Energy Resource Guide for Virginia Website for a summary of the resources on this site."
Energy Savers - U.S. Department of Energy
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/
"Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home." Find how-to info on conducting a home energy audit, a major appliances shopping guide, plus tips on insulation, heating and cooling, windows, and water heating, lighting, home office and electronics, driving and cars, and renewable energy.
Green Matters
http://www.greenmatters.com/gm/index.html
"Simple answers and guidance for busy people going green."
Home Energy Saver - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
http://hes.lbl.gov/
Find the best ways to save energy in YOUR home! Just put in your zip code and receive a "comparison of the energy costs of an average home and an energy-efficient home in your area," and learn how to save money on heating and cooling your home, hot water heaters, lighting, and appliances..
Water Heating - American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/waterheating.htm
Everything you ever wanted to know about hot water heaters, which "next to heating or cooling ... is typically the largest energy user in the home." Discusses types of water heaters (storage, demand, heat pump, indirect, and solar), selection, efficiency, cost comparison, and upgrading your current water heater.
Global Warming / Climate Change
10% Challenge - City of Burlington, VT
http://www.10percentchallenge.org/
A voluntary program to raise awareness about climate change and to reduce Burlington's greenhouse gas emissions by ten percent. Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy says "A small state can lead the way in the effort to stop climate change. By taking the 10% Challenge, Vermonters can be part of the solution, and set an example for other states.
Climate Change - EPA
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.html
EPA's Climate Change Site offers comprehensive information on the issue of climate change in a way that is accessible and meaningful to all parts of society – communities, individuals, business, states and localities, and governments.
Global Warming 101
http://www.globalwarming101.com/
Polar explorer Will Steger leads this online expedition to "put a face on a complex and sometimes seemingly remote issue. Through an interactive website students will witness the impacts of global warming on human beings and the Arctic ecosystem in which they live." Also committed to "bringing the most accurate, informative and readable information on subjects like global warming, climate change, sustainability, green chemistry and more."
Global Warming Research – Ask.com
http://www.ask.com/web?o=0&qsrc=6&l=dir&q=Global Warming Research
Use this search engine’s saved search feature to quickly check updates and overviews for Global Warming, Climate Change, and more. Narrow the search with right-side links
Stop Global Warming
http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/default.asp
Online grassroots movement aims to bring citizens together for solutions to global warming. Practical, do-able steps we can all take to reduce emissions.
Overview
Energy & Environment - New York Times
NYTimes.com/Energy
The new Energy & Environment section launched February 2009 with "comprehensive news, analysis and insights. Refer to new topic guides on biofuels, coal, wind energy and more. Also, watch a new series of videos tracking the progress of making a 60-year-old home more energy efficient."
Environment & Environmental Quality
http://science.gov/browse/w_123.htm
Gateway to authoritative selected government science information about Air/Water/Noise Quality, Cleanup, Climate Change , and more.
One World Many People: An Atlas Of Our Changing Environment
http://grid2.cr.usgs.gov/OnePlanetManyPeople/index.php
Compelling satellite images that document dramatic changes to our planet due to global warming and the exploitation of natural resources. Based on the book of the same title.
One-Stop Research – National Geographic Society
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/onestop/?fs=crane.nationalgeographic.com
Find maps, photos, articles, and info which discuss environmental issues.
Science Topics
http://www.usgs.gov/science/
See the sections for Ecology and Environment and Environmental Issues for info from the U.S. Geological Survey. Or search their resources by keyword here: http://search.usgs.gov/
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