VEEP Resources
Below is a short list of books, videos, and websites that are certified A+ teaching tools for energy educators. Some of them are our old favorites, some have been recommended by other teachers in Vermont and beyond. The list is always growing, so come back often.
ENERGY LITERACY GUIDE: Released in early 2012, this guide provides a concise summary of statistics and concepts "essential for all citizens."
WORKSHEETS: VEEP also offers a growing list of worksheets and activities that you can use with your students.
The End of Oil, by Paul Roberts
Bill McKibben calls this “perhaps the single best book ever produced about our energy economy and its environmental implications.” Great high school or college read.
Our Choice, by Al Gore
We like this follow-up to An Inconvenient Truth. Very inspiring and action oriented, it lays out a set of steps that can get us off the road to dangerous climate change. Great pictures, too.
Field Notes on a Catastrophe, by Elizabeth Kolbert
If you like examples this is the book for you. The climate change story in snapshots from some of the world’s most affected places. Easy to pull a chapter for class discussion.
Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, by Katie Ackerly
The subtitle says it all. "Save Money, Save the Earth." Great technical info, we’d recommend it to prep for a student-led energy audit.
Beyond the Light Switch
(2 hours) This documentary explores current energy issues including carbon capture and storage, hydraulic fracturing, nuclear, renewables, and the feasibility of a super grid. Produced by Detroit Public TV and hosted by David Biello of Scientific American. Use the video link or contact VEEP to borrow this 2 DVD set. (Ages 10 - adult)
Concentrated Solar Power
(11 minutes) Excellent video describing how the solar concentrator in Seville, Spain uses mirrors and towers to generate enough electricity to power 200,000 homes. (Ages 10 - adult)
Energy Literacy Basics
(38 Min) Technical presentation by Saul Griffith, energy entrepreneur and MacArthur Fellow, at the 2008 O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference, focusing on the world's energy needs, options, and personal lifestyle choices that make the most impact. Click link above to view. (Ages 16 - adult)
ACE
The Alliance for Climate Education offers free high school assembly presentations.
VT Renewable Energy Atlas
The Atlas maps existing and promising locations for renewable energy projects in Vermont.
YouTube Climate Change
Series of short video clips produced by NASA that address climate change.
Idle-free Vermont school page
Learn how idling impacts health, the environment, car engines, and your wallet!
Energy Literacy Blog
Very in-depth blog on the theme of energy literacy, what it is and how we can get it.
Wattzon.com
Wattzon is a free online tool to quantify, track, compare, and understand the total amount of energy needed to support your lifestyle.
Blackle.Com
It takes more power to light up a white screen than a black one. Blackle is the black and grey version of Google. Blackle looks sleek and saves energy one search at a time. Additionally, Blackle proves that small steps to save energy add up!
Power Plant Pollution Locator
Use this interactive map by the Clean Air Task Force to locate power plants in the continental US. This website uses 2004 Data and delivers comprehensive information on pollutants and the health impacts of power production.
350.org
350 is an international nonprofit organization, headed by Bill McKibben, dedicated to building an international movement to cut CO2 emissions and prevent climate change.
Get Energy Active
Good source of basic info about electricity, efficiency, and climate change. Includes state-by-state fuel mix information.
