“I want to drain your electricity” Vampire power doesn’t drain your blood, but rather electricity and your wallet. Also know as standby power or phantom load, vampire power refers to the energy usage of electrical appliances and chargers simply by being plugged in. Appliances can still draw power while being turned off or inactive. CellContinue reading “Vampire Power”
Author Archives: UTD Eco Reps
Saying No to Single-Use Plastics
Recently, a student petition has been gaining traction on UT Dallas’s campus. Already, the cause has gained 825 signatures – and the number grows everyday. Led by ECO, a student organization that works for Environmental Conservation on campus, the petition is titled: “No More Plastic Waste at UTD.“ I’ve always tried to avoid single useContinue reading “Saying No to Single-Use Plastics”
The 5 R’s
Many of us probably have heard about the 3 Rs from a young age. In elementary school, you’re taught the framework ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’. These terms were first popularized in the late 1970s followed by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The goal of this act was for theContinue reading “The 5 R’s”
Remote Volunteering
With the extended quarantine and the uncertain nature of this summer, a lot of once easily-accessible volunteer opportunities and hours are now gone. And in a time of crisis, the demand for help and benefit volunteerism can provide has only risen. Remote volunteerism has been an option for years, but now, when many people cannotContinue reading “Remote Volunteering”
Leave No Trace
“Leave only footprints, take only photos” As we near the summer, people are going to be spending more time outdoors, appreciating nature and the beauty of flora and fauna. People enjoying nature is an amazing thing, but if we aren’t aware of how our actions affect our environment, we can have unintentional effects while hiking,Continue reading “Leave No Trace”
The Human Side of Sustainability
By now, many people have heard what has happened to the canals in Venice in wake of the COVID-19 quarantine. The waters have become clear from lack of pollution and people, and according to many online sources, wildlife such as swans and even dolphins. Smaller stories, of animals such as monkeys, horses, and elephants wanderingContinue reading “The Human Side of Sustainability”
Social Distancing, Not Nature Distancing
Connecting with nature in wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Dr. Saad Omer, a professor of infectious diseases at Yale School of Medicine, has encouraged people to continue exercising outside in wake of the coronavirus outbreak. He states: “Social distancing doesn’t mean nature distancing. Go out, as long as you have distance,” in a March 18Continue reading “Social Distancing, Not Nature Distancing”
Coronavirus: A few things that stifled America
On March 4th, 2020, psychology and political scientist Philip E. Tetlock retweeted a concise but powerful contrast of two predominant perspectives on the coronavirus pandemic: “base-rate” thinking and “growth” thinking. Base-rate thinking is more experiential; it assesses a situation based on historical outcomes. Thinkers relying on this perspective predominantly assumed the coronavirus as not muchContinue reading “Coronavirus: A few things that stifled America”
Sustainable Self-Care Ideas
With everything that is going on right now, many of us are having to stay in at home and some of us, we feel anxiety and stress more than others. I know mental health can definitely take a hit during this time, so if you’re feeling a lot of worry about the current situation, rememberContinue reading “Sustainable Self-Care Ideas”
Green Reads
With the recent measures put in place to protect against the spread of COVID-19, everyone is going to be spending a little more time inside. It is important that during these times, we keep ourselves engaged and looking to the future. Reading books that focus on sustainability is a great way to keep our mindsContinue reading “Green Reads”
The Greenhouse Blog 