Month: November 2020

As winter officially approaches, the heating season is in full swing, electricity bills are starting to rise, and due to the current global pandemic, more and more time is being spent at home. If you are worried about increased energy consumption and are looking for ways to save it but also want to teach your little ones how to be environmentally aware and responsible along the way, there are many fun activities you can do in your home.

The first step to encouraging kids to save energy is to think about which devices they use the most. This can help you identify where energy is being spent the most in your home. In order to teach children how to do something, you first need to set an example, so teaching kids to save energy at home can become a fun family activity. Additional Funding for the Bosnia Energy Efficiency (AF BEEP) Project experts bring you several ways to help children stop consuming and start saving energy at home.

Turning off the lights

How often did the light stay on even though you no longer needed it? Turning off the lights when leaving the room is not something everyone thinks about, but it can save you a significant amount of money. A fun way to make sure all the lights are off is to start a game where everyone is running around the house to make sure all the lights are out. The fastest person gets a particular reward. This activity can be fun for the whole family while contributing to the reduction of energy consumption.

Watching TV

In addition to helping reduce energy consumption, and thus your bills, turning off the TV also encourages you to spend time with your family. One way to teach children how to save energy is to make sure they turn off the TV correctly, rather than leaving it on when they are no longer using it. You can also schedule a time during which the family watches TV, according to the period in which children’s favorite shows and cartoons are broadcasted, so that they can enjoy their favorite animated characters. This way, you can encourage children to spend more time doing creative activities, learning something new, or reading.

Cooking

With the arrival of the holidays, families spend more and more time in the kitchen, making different kinds of dishes and desserts. Decorating holiday cakes is great fun for kids. However, using a stove can become expensive when it is constantly running. A very simple solution is to mix the ingredients before turning the stove on and placing the dish in the oven. By doing this, you can ensure that you use the stove only when it reaches the required temperature, instead of leaving it on, wasting energy while mixing your mixture for delicious cookies. In this way, the children cook with you and learn about the importance of saving energy in the kitchen.

Water-saving

When brushing your teeth, hands, or face, teach kids to close the tap when they don’t need water, so it doesn’t flow unnecessarily. Another important lesson for children, but also for adults, is to check the faucets in the home to make sure they are well turned off. This way, you will avoid dripping, which can consume a lot of water over time. While the children are bathing, you can create a fun atmosphere with the song during that time. Choosing songs that will last up to 10 minutes in total can help keep children from showering for too long, which will reduce your water bills and make children’s time spent in the bathroom more fun.

Switching off appliances that are not in use

Another valuable lesson for kids is to unplug appliances from the wall when not in use, saving energy. The so-called “vampire” energy is electrical energy absorbed by devices that are not turned on. While turning off appliances and chargers that are not in use may not significantly reduce your electricity bill, it is still a great way to teach children to be aware of their energy consumption. Chargers for various devices are all around us, so teach kids to unplug them when they’re done charging.

The success of these and many other fun suggestions on how to teach children to save energy depends on you – their parents and guardians. One of the main benefits of teaching children to conserve energy is that it paves the way for a healthier and greener future, protecting our planet and reducing climate change risks. So, start with yourself, conserve energy and teach children to do the same.

Ecological construction is one of those terms whose popularity is growing each and every day. It implies a type of construction during which care is taken about the materials used, their transport, their impact on human health and environment, but also used human and material resources, and finally, the recycling of products after their lifespan ends. In other words, it involves the use of materials and processes that are energy efficient and environmentally responsible throughout the lifetime of the building, and is therefore also called green building.

Despite the benefits and more common presence worldwide, the potential of this type of construction is still insufficiently used in our geography. That is why we bring you several benefits of this construction type.

Lower maintenance costs

Buildings built on ecological construction principles contain unique characteristics, which ensure the efficient use of resources such as water and energy. This can be reflected, for example, through the strategic use of daylight, as it then reduces the amount of energy used for lighting. By using these resources, users can significantly save on energy bills.

Improves the quality of the indoor environment

By the quality of the indoor environment, we mean the impact of the building’s conditions, such as lighting, air quality, or thermal conditions, on the users of the building. Similar effects are achieved by implementing energy efficiency measures, such as reducing the use of materials that can emit hazardous elements. Ultimately, facilities with a good indoor environment quality improve comfort for users of the building, while protecting their health, reducing stress, and improving the overall quality of life.

Reduction of water consumption

Efficient use of water means using this resource to contribute to water savings and ensure the supply of clean water to future generations. Ecological construction enables using alternative water sources, such as rainwater, by setting up efficient water supply installations and reducing the load on common water resources by installing a system that purifies water and enables its recycling. In this way, water waste can be significantly reduced.

Environmental benefits

One of the most important benefits that ecological construction offers are those for our climate and natural environment. Green buildings can reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts by the decreasing the usage of water, energy, or natural resources. At the same time, in many cases, it can also have a positive environmental impact by creating its own energy or increasing biodiversity.

Ecological construction certainly has numerous benefits, but it is important to note that this concept is not based on only 2-3 principles, but that its core opens up a wide range of options and possibilities. All of them indeed lead to the same goal: creating a safe and healthy home for humankind.

Energy efficiency measures will be implemented at the facilities of 28 educational institutions

In the premises of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Zenica-Doboj Canton, an Agreement on Understanding was signed today between Josip Martic, Federal Minister of Spatial Planning of BiH, Spahija Kozlic, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Zenica-Doboj Canton, and representatives of public institutions whose renovation is planned. This agreement was signed as part of the “Additional Financing for the Energy Efficiency Project for Bosnia and Herzegovina” (AF BEEP), which is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Spatial Planning, with the World Bank loan funds. The renovation of another 28 facilities in Zenica-Doboj Canton was confirmed, along with the implementation of additional measures on 2 facilities that were previously part of the project. The realization of works is planned in the period 2020-2024.

“Almost 5 million BAM have been invested in renovation of 16 public facilities of educational and health institutions in Zenica-Doboj Canton since 2016, when the implementation of the Project began. The estimated annual savings amount to over half a million BAM, while CO₂ emissions decrease by 1,045 tons per year. With the investments planned for the next four years, we want to provide a more pleasant stay for users and employees of these facilities, but also contribute to environmental protection. Previously implemented activities have proven the enormous benefits of the investments and I am very pleased with the implementation of the AF BEEP project,” said Josip Martic, Federal Minister of Spatial Planning of BiH.

By realizing the planned investments in the cities and municipalities of ZDC, such as Zenica, Tešanj, Kakanj, Maglaj, Zavidovići, Olovo and others, elementary and high school students will get the opportunity to spend their days in warmer and more energy efficient classrooms. Additionally, the contribution to the reduction of air pollution throughout the canton, caused by improper and inefficient combustion of fuels currently in use, is significant.

“Today begins the concretization of a very significant project for the implementation of energy efficiency measures, with the aim of improving the comfort in schools in our canton. Among the 28 facilities that will be renovated, there are those that are really inadequate for teaching, and whose quality we will definitely improve in this way. The value of this project is almost 11 million BAM, and we expect the works to begin in February next year,” said Spahija Kozlić, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of ZE-DO Canton.

The implementation of energy efficiency measures has been successfully completed at 55 facilities in the Federation of BiH in the past four years, into which over 25 million BAM have been invested. Annual savings are estimated at around 3 million BAM, and CO₂ emissions have been reduced by more than 4,500 tons per year.

The ozone layer is an area of the Earth’s atmosphere composed mostly of ozone, after which it was named. The main characteristic of ozone is the fact that it is the only substance in the atmosphere that has the ability to absorb harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is why it actually represents the “last line of defense” against its harmful influences. The disappearance of ozone would completely disable the process of photosynthesis, which brings along the disappearance of flora and fauna, but also the human world. The main reason for its damage comes from human activities, as a result of which gases are emitted into the stratosphere, which then decompose the ozone molecules and thus contribute to the increase of the hole of this mantle. Since this is a dangerous environmental and health problem, we bring you five simple tips whose implementation will contribute to the protection of the ozone layer.

1. Use products that are labeled “ozone friendly” or “toxic free”

With the goal to create alternatives to products that are harmful to the ozone layer, it is possible to find products labeled “ozone friendly” or “toxic free” on the market. This signifies products whose composition is not harmful to the ozone layer. A diverse range of products are available today – from inhalers and printers, through balloons and satellites for measuring atmospheric greenhouse gases, to fire extinguishers that do not damage the ozone.

2. Reduce car use

Most cars are not made to help the environment. Moreover, research has shown that motor vehicle emissions cause 72% of nitrogen oxides and 52% of reactive hydrocarbons emission in the atmosphere, and both of these significantly damage the ozone layer. At the same time, statistics show that transport is responsible for almost 30% of the total CO₂ emissions in the European Union, of which 72% comes from road transport. That is why it is important to reduce the use of cars as much as possible. Alternative options include public transport, cycling or simply walking. If you only use the car for transportation from one point to another, try to team up with others to pollute the environment less, while simultaneously achieving economic savings.

3. Dispose of old devices properly

Most cars are not made to help the environment. Moreover, research has shown that motor vehicle emissions cause 72% of nitrogen oxides and 52% of reactive hydrocarbons emission in the atmosphere, and both of these significantly damage the ozone layer. At the same time, statistics show that transport is responsible for almost 30% of the total CO₂ emissions in the European Union, of which 72% comes from road transport. That is why it is important to reduce the use of cars as much as possible. Alternative options include public transport, cycling or simply walking. If you only use the car for transportation from one point to another, try to team up with others to pollute the environment less, while simultaneously achieving economic savings.

4. Shop locally

Buying local products provides you with several benefits. In this way, primarily, you get fresh produce, but also avoid consuming food that has traveled long distances. The farther the product travels to reach you, the more nitric oxide is created, due to the substrate used to transport the product itself.

5. Use air conditioners responsibly

Responsible use primarily refers to limiting the time the device itself is being used. In that sense, it is important not to keep the air conditioners constantly on. However, at the same time, it is important to maintain the device regularly, because their malfunctions result with chlorofluorocarbons, one of the most dangerous gases, going into the atmosphere

In addition to the above mentioned, there are a number of additional ways to save the ozone layer. Our bonus advice is not to forget the importance of advocating for the protection of this mantle. Put this topic on the agenda of one of the next conversations with your friends, and discuss with them ways you can jointly contribute to saving planet Earth.