Poem

Look Outside, see the trees
Watch the flowers in the breeze
Things won't be like this in a year or two
If polluting is all we do
Seize the night
Seize the day
Things won't always be ..........

by Josie Greveling

Chevy Volt

Our Guest blogger this week is Josh Iloff

The Chevy volt has a rechargeable energy storage system comprising multiple linked modules. The Chevy volt has 149 HP (horse power). The top speed is around 100 mph. the distance you can go on just the battery power is 38 miles, the overall distance is 380 miles. The designer of the car is Bob Boniface. The car is front wheel drive. The years 2011 and 2012 the Chevy volt only on electricity could go 35 miles in 2013 it could travel up to 38 miles and in 2014 it can now travel up to 83 miles on electricity only that’s not including gas mileages. As of January 2014 the Chevy volt is the most fuel efficient car with a gasoline engine sold in the United States. The charge times vary between 10 to 12 hours. The brakes is power four-wheel vented disc with ABS; electro-hydraulic; fully regenerative to maximize energy capture; dynamic rear brake proportioning.  The generator cooling is 7.3 liters. The battery pack cooling is 7.0 liters. The gas tank is only 9.3 gallons. The oil system plus the filter can hold up to 3.5 liters. 

Economics

Becoming energy efficient is more than just about keeping the environment clean, it's also a huge effect on the economy. The definition of energy efficiency is to use less energy and still get the same services done, so by becoming energy efficient, you reduce the amount of energy consumption.
Reducing the energy consumption means we spend less money on energy and by spending less money, it leaves more money in the pockets of the people. The people can then go out and spend the money they make on other things like food or clothing.
Another way becoming energy efficient does is make jobs. To become energy efficient, we need to get rid of flaws in our energy system, like light bulbs or housing insulation for example. In order to do that, we need to employ people to go out and help solve these problems. Also, it leads to the production of more efficient products making jobs in factories as well.
The last way it effects the US economy is that you can report what you've spent on becoming energy efficient in your tax report to benefit you. According to Judkis from the US News, "You can also take advantage of a number of tax credits for energy-efficient home purchases."
These are just some ways the economy is effected by becoming energy efficient.

Incandescent Light Bulbs are now Illegal in the USA

According to USA TODAY, incandescent light bulbs are now no longer manufactured or imported in the USA as of January 1, 2014 to support the use of CLF and LED light bulbs. I'm glad the government has taken action and banned incandescent light bulbs from the USA. You might not think this is a big change but it really is. Approximately 17% of the USA energy is used for lighting. If every light bulb is replaced with CFL and LED light bulbs, we would cut our energy consumption by as much as 13%. That's the energy we lose just as heat because of the design of the incandescent light bulb.
People believe that incandescent light bulbs shouldn't be banned because they like the "warm light" it gives off but there's a solution to that, there are CFL light bulbs that give off the exact same light color as incandescent bulbs.
Another reason people complain about the CFL light bulbs is due to their shape. They think the shape is ugly unlike the incandescent light bulbs but I think that's a foolish reason. I believe it's foolish because you can't really tell the shape of a light bulb when its being used unless you stare at the light bulb, which isn't good for your eyes.
Finally, people buy them because they are cheaper when purchased at the store. These people don't look at the long term cost of the bulbs though. CFL light bulbs last about 5 times longer and use about 1/4 the energy. LED light bulbs last about 10 times linger and use 1/5 the amount of energy.
This is why I'm glad to find out that the incandescent light bulbs have been banned here in the USA now!

3 Great Reasons for Becoming Energy Efficient

There are many ways you can benifet from being energy efficient. Some people don't realize this but it's true. The top three reasons for becoming energy efficient are:

1. You spend less money being energy efficient- Who doesn't like to save money? Being energy efficient allows you to save money because you lower the amount of energy you use. For example, you would save money on gas if you buy a hybrid car.

2. It helps improve the economy- We would spend less money on fuel, and it also makes thousands of jobs for people to make buildings and other things more efficient.

3. It helps reduce the amount of pollution released- We would need to burn less fossil fuels to generate electricity at power plants and our cars would use less fuel to run. Also, I don't think you would like living in a city covered in smog.

Review of "Climate Change our Impact on the Planet"

Climate Change our Impact on the Planet, by Simon Scones, describes global warming's effects around the world. It gives facts, images, and quotes to inform the reader about it. It also states that becoming more energy efficient might help stop climate change. If you are interested in learning about climate change I would highly recommend that you check this book out.