Ok, before anyone gets their panties in a bunch…let me preface that this was a limited study of only women and that there’s a strong likelihood gender has nothing to do with the results.  (In other words, men would probably have provided similar outcomes.) Seriously, though.  Do these results sound familiar?  I don’t know about you, but I sometimes feel like I practically need an engineering degree to understand all that energy jargon. 

How about you?  Do you feel 100% confident in the causes and solutions for our current energy and resource crisis?    Here’s why I ask….A survey gauging the level of energy knowledge among 801 women over the age of 18 was conducted by two women’s groups. Here are some highlights of the results: 

• Only 7% of women are aware that electricity-generating power plants are the biggest cause of global warming in the country
• 31% say they just don’t know the largest cause of global warming
• When prompted, 67% of women correctly identify coal power plants as a big cause or somewhat of a cause of global warming, but 54% think the same about nuclear energy; in reality, nuclear energy does not cause global warming at all. 
• 43% don’t know the largest source of electricity in the U.S.
• 32% don’t know the main source of electricity for their own home 

Well, I want to be educated about this stuff and I bet you do too.  I will not let big words stand in my way…but it can be a bit intimidating at times.  SO…I thought we’d tackle this one together.  Tell me what’s on your mind.  Are there any energy terms or processes that don’t make sense to you?  Any varying "expert" opinions that seem to contradict each other?  If you’ll speak up, I’ll pull together the answers and we’ll all benefit!

About the Author Katherine DalPra is an eco-enthusiast and owner of Green Diva Jewelry, a socially responsible  jewelry boutique that incorporates recycled metals, sustainable elements and Fair Trade gems.  She is an active voice in the industry opposing irresponsible mining. 

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