Green event brings energy to NC State

On any given day you can catch students, like myself, sleeping, studying or socializing in Caldwell Lounge. Last week, however, the normally quiet area became a lively environmental information hub.

The basics of photovoltaics.

NCSU students created posters for “Green Germany and the Transatlantic Climate Bridge,” which showcased research on Germany’s various environmental initiatives. Communication students researched how the media portrays environmental issues, engineers laid out the basics of photovoltaic cells, and political junkies researched German political party stances on green legislation.

The event, sponsored by the German Embassy and the German Studies program, helped answer the question, “What can Americans learn from Europe’s most efficient nation?”

Biking to keep the light on.

From a manufacturing and economic standpoint, Germany and the United States appear very similar. But from an environmental perspective, many differences arise between the two countries. The average per capita electricity use per year is nearly double in the United States.

To demonstrate the disparities in energy use, students could hop on the “Bike for Light.” The stationary bike was hooked up to a generator and when students pedaled, they produced energy to power a light. The interactive set up also allowed students to bike through the countries of the world based on energy consumption. Students began the trek in the country with the lowest energy consumption – the Gaza Strip. Iceland, with the most kWh per capita each year, was the bike’s last stop. I biked my way through Korea and ended in Peru.

It was great to see NC State students taking an initiative to learn about other countries and other approaches to environmental legislation.

Who knew you could bike from Korea to Peru?