Louisa Alter, Communications & Multimedia Intern
My name is Louisa and I am a recent graduate of Indiana University where I majored in Journalism and minored in Marketing. I love storytelling and learning more about the human spirit, which is what drew me to BEEx – there’s a lot of incredible research, discoveries and insights within the sustainability sector that need to be told in order to improve this little blue planet that we live on. A little more about me: I love (in no special order) yoga, Nutella, Harry Potter, collecting concert posters from around the world, Beyonce, and watching “The Office”.
- Share you favorite energy factoid.
I come from Denmark, where over 20% of energy comes from renewable energy, primarily from wind turbines. (My grandparents have three wind turbines on their farm!) - What energy conservation campaign would you start in your office or want to share with other offices?
Friday-Bicycle day! Every Friday would encourage my office to bicycle to work, saving energy and getting exercise! - What are you currently reading right now?
I’m actually in a podcast phase right now – my favorites are RadioLab and This American Life - What are some ways you reduce your carbon footprint at home
Recycling and composting - What is your personal superpower?
Is friendliness a superpower?
Nicolette Sanfilippo, Energy Efficient Technologies Research Intern
My name is Nicolette and I’m a recent graduate from NYU London where I received my Master’s degree in Historical and Sustainable Architecture. Prior to this, I studied for my Bachelor’s at NYU in Environmental Studies and Business Studies. Apart from my interests in the built environment and sustainability, I’m an avid foodie and I love traveling to new places.
- Share you favorite energy factoid.
In the average American home, 75% of the electricity used to power electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This idle power adds up to more energy than what is produced by all of the solar panels in America combined. Unplug your electronics when they aren’t being used!
- What energy conservation campaign would you start in your office or want to share with other offices?
I would love for every office to switch all of their lighting to LEDs. It would also be great to install switches on all outlets so that idle energy can be eliminated without the inconvenience of unplugging everything. They have these all over Europe and I want to bring more into the US! - What are you currently reading right now?
I know I’m late to the party but I’m reading Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer and loving it! - What are some ways you reduce your carbon footprint at home
I buy almost everything in bulk from organic and local producers to reduce my contribution to harmful environmental impacts associated with chemical runoff, plastic packaging, and transportation emissions. I also use eco-friendly cleaning products and send things that can’t typically be recycled (like tubes of toothpaste) to TerraCycle so that the materials can be reused. - What is your personal superpower?
I’ve always wished I could teleport…then I could pursue my passion to travel the world at any time with no carbon footprint!