Is America Trashed? - excess garbage

Science World, April 9, 2001

Not enough energy? Too much garbage?

What if there wasn't enough electricity to power the lights in your house, your TV, computer, CD player? That happened in California last January. Or what if the landfill that holds your family's trash was so full it had to be shut down, and garbage hauled to another state? That's happening in Staten Island, New York. You may not give a thought to where energy comes from or where trash goes, but you may have to think hard about these issues in years to come.

Science World's eighth annual Environmental Almanac takes a close look at energy and trash, just in time for Earth Day on April 22. One of this year's themes: "Clean Energy Worldwide." Log on to www.earthday.net to find out more about the dozens of ways you can make a difference.

Who says you can't change the world?

How much do you know about trash and energy?

Circle the correct answer for each question. Then read through the issue to find the answers, and check them out in the Teacher's Edition.

1. A "rolling blackout" means:

a. Short-term loss of consciousness

b. Temporary shutdown of electricity

c. Neither

2. If every U.S. household lowered its average heating temperature by 6 [degrees] F for one day, we'd save how many barrels of heating oil?

a. 100,000

b. 250,000

c. 500,000

3. What creature reduces garbage in landfills by eating it?

a. Shrimp

b. Raccoon

c. Microbe

4. How many landfills were so crammed they shut down last year?

a. 50

b. 75

c. 100

5. Eighty-five percent of all U.S. energy is generated by

a. dwindling supplies of fossil fuels

b. solar energy

c. nuclear energy