- Pronunciation:
- \(ˌ)bī-ˈan-yə(-wə)l\
- Function:
- adjective
- Date:
- 1877
— bi·an·nu·al·ly adverb
Not to brag, but I'm pretty sure I found one of the most perfect connections for this word. Going with the second definition, which means occurring every two years, I found a connection with Spain, and with Earth Day (today), and with my partner (who is always fun to talk about).
The U.S. Department of Energy has a biannual Solar Decathlon. In this decathlon, the best and brightest from around the word compete to create the winning design for a solar
powered home.So, the connection with Spain? The University of Madrid will be presenting a pretty fantastic design this year. It's a house with a rotating roof that constantly catches the sun (image on right), kind of like a sunflower, in order to get the most solar power. Earth Day? That seems pretty obvious. Earth Day is all about going green and utilizing alternative energy. Using solar energy is a great way to be more environmentally friendly. My partner? Well, he's an engineer and works with a company specializing in solar energy. I feel more environmentally friendly just by knowing him :)!
Now for making this post a bit more culturally relevant. The U.S. seems to be trailing the world when it comes to going green. While living in Austria, I had to separate plastics from paper from aluminum from glass from disposable waste. There are some places in Europe where people are fined for not properly separating the trash and recycling. Abengoa Solar, the company my partner works for, is a Spanish based company with offices around the world.
As a hypo-industrialized nation, the U.S. must stop disregarding renewable resources and alternative energy. This is a worldwide issue. In all my foreign language classes I've had to respond to prompts concerning the environment, so I can tell people to recycle in three different languages. Before I channel Al Gore though, I will say we have become overall more aware as a nation concerning the environment. However, we've got a lot of catching up to do.
I do feel that the recycling programs in Arkansas, or rather, NWA, since that's the only area of Arkansas that I'm familiar with, is rather lacking when it comes to recycling.
ReplyDeleteIn my home city in Nebraska, I remember having to separate recyclables into paper, bottles, and cans. Also, we had to use clear bags, rather than black bags, so that the contents of the garbage would be clearly seen. If things weren't properly separated, they wouldn't take the garbage.=\
I suppose this sort of mandate though would vary from state to state and city to city.
I would like to see a prototype of the "revolving roof" house. Well done, Jacquelynn. Wonderful connection with the keyword!
ReplyDeleteThat roof thing is cool. It's interesting to see these developments for alternative energy sources - now if only we could put some of these ideas into action. Between that and our lackluster efforts to recycle, the US really is behind.
ReplyDeleteI guess you did find the perfect example of culture and the word of the day....lol
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think that we need to start fining improper recycling in the U.S too!!!!!
Just imagine all that we would be recycling if we had the fear of getting a fine each week after our trash pick-up.
You should try my solar powered bicycle.
ReplyDeleteNo, not really.
Anyways, excellent post! Have you heard of the new "solar sails" that they are creating for boats?