How Far Has U.S. Gone Green to Save Energy

Michal Bartoš and Vladimír Stupavský (right) discuss energy efficiency at the American Center

June 4 — Energy efficiency was the topic of discussion on May 27th at the American Center, led Michal Bartoš, head of the Sluňákov Center for Environmental Education; Jan  Horčík, Editor-in-Chief of Ekobydleni.eu; Vladimír Stupavský, Director of Czech Biomass Association; and Petr Zahradník, Consultant with SEVEn - The Energy Efficiency Center. These four distinguised experts went to the U.S. last October 2009 on a project entitled 'Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Building Technologies.' 

They talked in depth about their program experience and discussed energy efficiency as a global challenge. With an audience filled with environmental experts, the topics ranged from the Czech government's approaches to energy efficiency and energy resources to affordable subsidies and EU grants on ecological projects.

As for the trip to the U.S., Michal Bartoš recounted the visit to Pittsburgh: “We visited a facility for schools sponsored by funds and donations.  It's a huge hall where kids learn about nature through games. We have since adopted a tool which we use in our new educational park (at Sluňákov). It’s a rail which when touched shows how birds flap their wings.” 

Vladimir Stupavsky of CZ Biom said of the trip: “I learned how solar and wind energy can be used more effectively than in Europe.  I was disappointed a bit in that there are no such conditions in the U.S., and that biomass and biologically degradable material is not used that much there.”