Earth at Night



An image of the energy waste of North America as seen at night form a satellite.

Enviromental Science Facts

The United States: Top Ten
  1. With only about 5% of the world's population, the United States consumes 35% of the Earth's resources, and produces 35% of the waste stream.
  2. 80% of North Americas oil reserves have been discovered, and depleted.
  3. Every year Americans receive approximately 2 million tons of junk mail that is never opened.
  4. Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every HOUR.
  5. Every year Americans abandon 3 million cars on the sides of roads and in forests
  6. On the average, the 140 million cars in America are estimated to travel almost 4 billion miles in a day, and according to the Department of Transportation, they use over 200 million gallons of gasoline doing it.
  7. Every year we throw away 24 million tons of leaves and grass. Leaves alone account for 75% of our solid waste in the fall.
  8. The US has less than 4% of its forests left.
  9. About 1% of U.S. landfill space is full of disposable diapers, which take 500 years to decompose.
  10. Americans use 50 million tons of paper annually -- consuming more than 850 million trees.
Impact that Helps: Top Ten
  1. If just 25% of U.S. families used 10 fewer plastic bags a month, we would save over 2.5 BILLION bags a year.
  2. Every ton of recycled office paper saves 380 gallons of oil.
  3. Energy saved from one recycled aluminum can will operate a TV set for 3 hours, and is the equivalent to half a can of gasoline.
  4. By turning down your central heating thermostat one degree, fuel consumption is cut by as much as 10%.
  5. Insulating your attic reduces the amount of energy loss in most houses by up to 20%.
  6. 1 Ton of carbon dioxide that is released in the air can be prevented by replacing every 75 watt light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs.
  7. lass produced from recycled glass instead of raw materials reduces related air pollution by 20%, and water pollution by 50%.
  8. Every ton of recycled office paper saves 380 gallons of oil.
  9. Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
  10. Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
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