Reducing Human kind have been consuming resources from the very beginning of its own history. Nowadays the population has raised up so much that we consume tons.

Reducing We are going to talk about reducing three important resources: Energy Fuel Containers

Energy Saving

Electric energy production on Spain Thermal Total Nuclear Hydraulic

How we save electric energy Low energy bulb or CFL

How we save electric energy Cold water to wash clothes

How we save electric energy German traffic Lights

How we save electric energy Better windows and isolation in buildings

How we save electric energy Air conditioning freezing and people with coat

How we save electric energy Use programmable thermostats

How we save electric energy washing machine, dishwasher at night Red Eléctrica Española: http://www.ree.es/operacion/curvas_demanda.asp

How we save electric energy Solar power to heat water

How we save electric energy Energy source Costs of electricity production in euros per megawatt hour Natural Gas 66.1 Hydropower 86.4 Brown Coal 94.8 Wind Energy Onshore 97 Geothermal 101.7 Black Coal 109.4 Biomass 112.5 Nuclear Energy 113.9 Wind Energy Offshore 243.2 Solar Electricity 311.8

Containers 15

Some facts Petrol price ~ plastic price. Each year US produce 29 billion plastic water bottles 17 millions barrels crude oil  virgin plastic  recycling But products made from recycled plastics are often not recyclable. 30% of our trash is plastic packaging Packacing can represent the 13% of the cost of an item Packaging and marketing  overpacked products

Overpacking

Slow biodegradation Product Time to biodegrade Paper 2-5 months Plastic coated milk carton 5 years Aluminum cans 80-100 years Glass bottle 1 million years Plastic bags 500 years - forever

Great Pacific Garbage Patch A gyre of marine litter that extends over an area larger than twice the size of Texas A hundred million tons of floating trash Chain food Photodegradation + plastic  toxic chemicals  jellyfish  larger fish humans data from US National Science Foundation

Great Pacific Garbage Patch http://youtu.be/-K-lGDRZOqc

Risks Pollution Toxic chemicals like bisphenol- A (BPA) are endocrine disruptors (1930) BPA is in plastic food packaging, plastic water bottles, canned foods, toys and even kitchen appliances like coffee makers. BPA use is banned in baby bottles in European Union since September 2010

Reduce packaging waste Bringing your own cloth bags to the store

Reduce packaging waste Buying in bulk to avoid plastic packaging

Reduce packaging waste Opt for large containers instead of single servings or individually packaged items - and it’s cheaper! 

Reduce packaging waste Avoid disposable items like cameras, shaves, plates, cups.

Julián Navascués David Martínez Jorge Blanco