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By: Matthew Petrillo
http://www.voanews.com/content/green-isnt-just-football-teams-uniform-color--149488525/370148.html
Summary: Twelve of 32 NFL teams are turning to environmentally-friendly practices. The Eagles were the first to start this trend, when they began in 2003. As of right now, the Eagles are trying to get a third of their stadium to run on solar and wind power. This year, the Eagles began to give 65% of the waste from the stadium to an energy-from-waste plant that turns left over waste into energy. This is instead of diverting their trash to landfills. The eagle's goal is to eventually recycle every single waste found in the stadium. Don Smolenski, the team’s chief operation officer, who is in charge of turning the Eagle's stadium into an environmentally-friendly place, says, "Each year, we kept adding and evaluating new opportunities." They are focusing on light sensors in people's offices, having on/off motion sensing vending machines, and even composting grass clippings from the field. Not only are they turning their stadium into an environmentally-friendly place, but they are asking Aramark, the company in charge f its food services, to use "green" compostable utensils and cleaning supplies. One of the biggest steps the Eagles are taking during this process is 30% of its energy from renewable resources. They will do this by installing 1,100 solar panels and 14 wind turbines around the upper deck of the stadium. According to Don Smolenski, this is the largest sustainability effort in the NFL.
Opinion/Reflection: WOW! That is very cool that the Eagles are doing this. It is awesome to think that a team that I have grown up watching, is the first to make an effort like this. The fact that they are trying to use 30% of its energy from solar panels and wind turbines is incredible. They have obviously started a trend in the NFL, because other teams are beginning to become envrionmentally-friendly. I hope this trend continues, and every team starts to become environmentally-friendly, because the amount of energy used to light up an entire stadium is rediculous. If stadiums continue to use energies that are harmful to the earth, there will be a problem sooner rather than later. In science class, we learned that although solar panels and wind turbines are expensive in the beginning, they save as lot of money in the long run. These alternative energies not only save money, but they don't cause pollution and are beneficial to the environment. I am extremely happy that the Eagles are starting this trend beause pollution from harmful problems is obviously a problem. Hopefully they continue to make improvements in making the stadium more environmentally-friendly!
Questions:
1. How do you feel about the efforts the Eagles are making?
2. Where else have you seen alternative energy being used?
3. If you were in charge of making the changes in the Eagles stadium, what else would you do?
Opinion/Relection:
ReplyDeleteThat is so amazing that the Eagles and 32 other NFL teams are doing this. This is a big step towards making the world a healthier place. It is so great that people are really starting to become more active to make the world a better place. By the Eagles making 30% of its energy from renewable resources and adding 1,100 solar panels and 14 wind turbines around the upper deck of the stadium it will truly make a difference in the environment. In our science class we learned all about the benefits of converting to alternative energies. By using wind and solar power they will make their energy a lot cleaner to use. Hopefully more people will catch onto the trend and they will start to go green, too!
Answer to question 2:
I have seen alternative energy in cars. My family just got a new car which runs on both electricity and gas. This uses less gas and is more environmentally friendly to drive. If more people start to use cars like this we will be able to increase the amount of time we have with oil and help the earth become cleaner.
Opinion: I think it is great that the Eagles were the first to start the trend. I love watching Eagles football and I have even been to a couple games. I think it is great that the eagles stadium is turning to solar and wind power. It is amazing how once one sports team turned to environmentally friendly energy sorces 31 other teams did too. I can relate this topic to our class because we spent some time learning about alternative energy sources. I hope to see this trend continue on to more NFL teams and even other sports teams like the Phillies.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to number 1: I feel great that the Eagles are doing something for the environment. I have always grown up watching the eagles. It is amazing how they are putting up 1100 solar panels and 14 wind turbines. I love what the eagles are doing. It is great that the Eagles started this trend because more sports teams are joing in. The efforts of the Eagles is great and I hope to see the new and improved stadium in the future.
Opinion/Reflection:
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know our home team is going green but it's even better to know that they started the trend. This will allow us to stop wasting our energy and put it to good use. I also think the Eagles goal is great and I hope it achieved as well. I heard about the Eagles going green before but I didn't know they were doing this much. The next time I go to a game I will make sure to check how the new changes are going. Don Smolenski should be extremely proud of himself. This helping us and our earth. All 32 teams need to change to alternative energy like the Eagles have.
Answer to #2:
There are some really weird alternative energy sources. Some examples are watermelon, cocoa beans, human waste, dead bodies, and more. Some of those would be too weird to use. Luckily there are other options for alternative energy.
Opinion/Reflection: I am very happy to hear that the Eagles are doing this! I have gone to that stadium before and I noticed changes. I am surprised to hear that they are installing 1100 solar panels and 14 wind turbines. Many people go to Eagles games which means that a lot of trash is produced from everyone's food/drinks. Now that they arte converting this trash into energy, more people would go to the games. I know I would. To think that our home team started this trends makes me happy. Hopefully, this trend will catch on and maybe even spread to other sports teams.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to question 1: I think that the Eagles are doing a great job. It is going to help the environment greatly and could make the sport more popular. It's crazy to think that one third of a huge football stadium will use solar energy. It may not seem like a lot but it truly is.
Jen:
ReplyDeleteGood morning. I wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you for blogging about our Go Green Program! We started our Go Green program in 2003 with the opening of Lincoln Financial Field and have truly integrated environmentally friendly practices into our business culture. We are really excited about the solar panels (almost 11,000 panels will be installed at the stadium) and the wind turbines. Later this month, we will be composting our waste here at the training facility. Everyone will pitch in - players, coaches, staff! Truly a team effort. Thank you, again, for sharing your interest. And, thank you for being such a great fan of the team! Don Smolenski, President, Philadelphia Eagles