Designing an Eco-Friendly Home
In this activity, you will design an eco-friendly home that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and protects the biodiversity of
the surrounding ecosystem.
◆ Estimated time to complete: 8 to 10 hours
Part A: Define the Problem
Despite the availability of cleaner energy sources, most of the energy used to power American homes comes from the
burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the air. Carbon dioxide
is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Why do you think it's a challenge to reduce fossil fuel usage in homes in the United States? How could the use of fossil
fuels affect the biodiversity in neighborhoods and the surrounding ecosystems?
In this activity, you will design an eco-friendly home that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and protects the biodiversity of
the surrounding ecosystem.
◆ Estimated time to complete: 8 to 10 hours
Part A: Define the Problem
Despite the availability of cleaner energy sources, most of the energy used to power American homes comes from the
burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the air. Carbon dioxide
is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Why do you think it's a challenge to reduce fossil fuel usage in homes in the United States? How could the use of fossil
fuels affect the biodiversity in neighborhoods and the surrounding ecosystems?