The Earth’s temperature may increase by 4 degrees Farenheit by the end of this century. It doesn’t sound like much, but that actually is a lot for a planet like ours.
Four extra degrees in planet temperature means that by 2080, up to three billion people could suffer water shortages. 200 to 600 million could face famine. 20 to 30% of all species on this earth may be on the brink of extinction. Sea levels could rise as much as 23 feet, bringing many coastal cities underwater. That’s a lot of scary numbers from just four extra degrees.
But we can spin the numbers game in a positive way, too. Imagine if each and every one of us put in even a little effort to go green—shaving off some energy usage there, some gas mileage there. Multiply those small actions by millions, and all those numbers of decreased energy consumption add up to create a brighter picture of a more sustainable, healthier planet.
Take this quiz to educate yourself on green facts and figures that’ll save you money, decrease your carbon footprint and inspire you to green your life.
(Statistics Source: The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook by David De Rothschild)
HOME
- Do you work at home? If yes, good for you! If not, consider getting a job that lets you do e-mails in your pajamas. Not only is it more comfortable, it’s also greener, too. If ________ people worked at home full-time and didn’t commute, we’d eliminate 3 million tons of CO2 every year.
A: 1 million
B: 5 million
C: 10 million
- Solar panels may be the wave of the future, but right now it’s a little expensive for most people. As a cheaper alternative, how about greening your roof? Plant some flowers and orchids on the top of your home, or just lay your roof with a simple lawn of green grass. A green roof absorbs heat and can decrease your energy cost by _____.
A: 40%
B: 50%
C: 60%
- As you’ll learn this week, there are many ways to cut energy costs in your home. By taking the extra time to make the equipment and architecture in your home more energy-efficient, you can cut your annual energy cost by ______
A: 46%
B: 56%
C: 66%
WORK
- Don’t rush too soon to buy a new computer. There’s a lot of energy-guzzling material packed in those little laptops. A single computer takes ____ times as much energy to produce than an automobile or a refrigerator.
A: 3 times
B: 5 times
C: 10 times
- Not only should you not buy computers frequently, you should shut off your computer as much as possible overnight. If one million shut off their computers overnight instead of leaving it idle, we would eliminate ______ tons of CO2 every year.
A: 4,500 tons
B: 45,000 tons
C: 4.5 million tons
- Since computers are going to be around for a while, we should at least try to eliminate paper usage by using e-mails and PDFs, and not printing. Ppaer makes up ____ up total waste.
A: 15%
B: 25%
C: 33%
TRAVEL
- Consider taking the bus, riding a train, or carpooling before you go anywhere by car. How many gallons of gas are idled away each year by Americans while stuck in traffic?
- 2.3 million
- 230 million
- 2.3 billion
- A round-trip flight between Boston and Washington D.C. generates 776 pounds of CO2 per traveler. In contrast, that same trip with the Amtrak Metroliner produces only ____ pounds of CO2 per traveler.
A: 512
B: 360
C: 100
- If you have to fly, try to fly direct without transfers, and avoid short flights. Just the take-off part of the flight consumes ____ % of the total fuel.
A: 25%
B: 35%
C: 45%
All finished? Check your answers and see how green your home, work and travel knowledge is!
CORRECT ANSWERS:
HOME
1. Do you work at home? If yes, good for you! If not, consider getting a job that lets you do e-mails in your pajamas. Not only is it more comfortable, it’s also greener, too. If ________ people worked at home full-time and didn’t commute, we’d eliminate 3 million tons of CO2 every year.
A: 1 million
B: 5 million
C: 10 million
Bottom line: virtual offices are the way to go.
2. Solar panels may be the wave of the future, but right now it’s a little expensive for most people. As a cheaper alternative, how about greening your roof? Plant some flowers and orchids on the top of your home, or just lay your roof with a simple lawn of green grass. A green roof absorbs heat and can reduce your heating and cooling costs by _____.
A: 40%
B: 50%
C: 60%
Bottom line: A green roof saves money, helps the planet, and makes your rooftop pretty.
3. As you’ll learn this week, there are many ways to cut energy costs in your home. By taking the extra time to make the equipment and architecture in your home more energy-efficient, you can cut your annual energy cost and total emissions by ______
A: 46%
B: 56%
C: 66%
Bottom line: A more energy-efficient house saves your retirement account and the planet.
WORK
4. Don’t rush too soon to buy a new computer. There’s a lot of energy-guzzling material packed in those little laptops. A single computer takes ____ times as much energy to produce than an automobile or a refrigerator.
A: 3 times
B: 5 times
C: 10 times
Bottom line: Take pride in your old computer.
5. Not only should you not buy computers frequently, you should shut off your computer as much as possible overnight. If one million shut off their computers overnight instead of leaving it idle, we would eliminate ______ tons of CO2 every year.
A: 4,500 tons
B: 45,000 tons
C: 4.5 million tons
Bottom line: If you’re not using it, turn it off. Simple as that.
6. Since computers are going to be around for a while, we should at least try to eliminate paper usage by using e-mails and PDFs, and not printing. Paper makes up ____ of total waste.
A: 15%
B: 25%
C: 33%
Bottom line: Don’t be Xerox-happy. Print only when absolutely necessary.
TRAVEL
7. Consider taking the bus, riding a train, or carpooling before you go anywhere by car. How many gallons of gas are idled away each year by Americans while stuck in traffic?
- 2.3 million
- 230 million
- 2.3 billion
Bottom line: Being stuck in traffic alone is no fun anyway.
8. A round-trip flight between Boston and Washington D.C. generates 776 pounds of CO2 per traveler. In contrast, that same trip with the Amtrak Metroliner produces only ____ pounds of CO2 per traveler.
A: 512
B: 360
C: 100
Bottom line: If you must travel far, trains are your friend.
9. If you have to fly, try to fly direct without transfers, and avoid short flights. Just the take-off part of the flight consumes ____ % of the total fuel.
A: 25%
B: 35%
C: 45%
Bottom line: Those multiple transfers are annoying anyway. Keep it long, and keep it direct!
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