What Can We Do?

In the last post we looked at the issue of global warming and discussed the factors that contribute to the phenomenonand potential effects.  Today we'll look at some actions that we can take on an everyday basis to help combat global warming.  I want to focus on actions the average person can take.  There are lots of recommendations to replace your air-conditioning and heating unit, re-insulate your entire house, get rid of your car, etc. that are effective but not within reach of many.

Looking at the above graph, we can see that the largest shares of carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of coal and petroleum.  Natural gas contributes a smaller but growing share and other factors, particularly cement production, contribute a small but significant amount.  So our search for ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

A significant portion of greenhouse gases are emitted during the generation of electricity - primarily from coal, but a significant and growing amount come from natural gas-fueled generating facilities.  So reducing electricity use will not only save us money but will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Here are some things you can do to reduce your electricity consumption:

• Install CFL bulbs wherever possible.  They're considerably more expensive initially, but they do save electricity and they last considerably longer than incandescent bulbs.  Many electricity suppliers in Maryland offer discounts to their customers on the purchase of CFL bulbs, so check with your electricity supplier.  After all, you're paying for the discount in your electricity bill so you should take advantage of it.  If you can't afford to change all of your lightbulbs to CFL immediately, start with those you use the most.
• Turn off the lights when you leave the room.  This is a no-brainer.  Some think that turning lights back on again uses more electricity than is saved by turning them off.  This isn't true - even for fluorescents.  While they do use a surge of electricity to fire up, the surge lasts for only half a cycle, or 1/120th of a second and is equivalent to the energy used in just a few seconds of use.  So turn them off.
• Try to reduce use of your heater and air conditioner.  Turn your thermostat down a bit in the winter and up a bit in the summer.  Consider closing off parts of the house that aren't used.  Be sure your furnace filter is changed or cleaned regularly.  Caulk and weatherstip your doors and windows.
• When you need to replace an appliance, replace it with an Energy Star rated appliance.  The increased efficiency will offset the increased cost and you will use less electricity. 
• If your hot water heater is nearing the end of its useful life, consider replacing it with a solar hot water heater.  This can be quite cost effective.  There are state and Federal tax credits available.  Look here for a good calculator. 
• Switch off computers, speakers, TVs, battery chargers, etc. when they're not in use.  Keep in mind that, even while switched off, some of these draw power.  Consider investing a few bucks in a power strip that allows you to switch off several at a time or a remote-control power strip that makes it even easier.

A lot of greenhouse gases are generated by transportation.  Here are some options you can consider to cut down on both greenhouse gases and costs.

• Combine several short trips if possible.
• Use mass transit, carpool or, if possible, telecommute.
• When it's time to replace your current vehicle, consider one which is more fuel-efficient. On the other hand, don't rush out now to trade in your gas-guzzling SUV or truck for a very high mileage car. You'll lose money on the trade-in and you'll pay more for the car. Unless you need a new car now, wait until there are more high-mileage cars available and until the current glut of SUVs and light trucks on the market is reduced.
• If most of your trips are 40 miles or less, consider waiting a few years until plug-in electric cars are available. Both GM and Toyota expect to introduce models soon.
• Keep your engine tuned, your wheels aligned and your tires inflated properly.
• Try to order things to be delivered by mail (such as Netflix) rather than driving to the movie rental shop to get one. One more piece of mail won't make a big difference to the postal service.

There are other things you can do.

• Avoid products with lots of packaging.  Reducing your trash by ten percent can save 1200 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
• buy refillable items where possible.  Refilling a spray bottle is preferable to throwing it away and buying a new one.
• Reduce the amount of junk mail you receive.  About half of all junk mail is discarded without being opened.  There are some good tools here to stop junk mail.
• Pay bills online where possible.  Save a stamp, a trip to the mailbox and some unnecessary paper.
• Buy and use reusable shopping bags in lieu of plastic or paper.

Note that I haven't recommended solar electric panels - the cost is too high for most people and the return on investment is not very good, even with the tax credits that are offered.  I also haven't recommended things like buying 'carbon offsets' where you pay someone to supposedly take carbon out of the air.  It's very trendy, but not very effective if you use it just to continue a wasteful lifestyle.  Many of the supposed 'offsets' aren't really offsets anyway.

Probably the most effective thing you can do is to urge your legislators to deal with the problem instead of ignoring it.  If you've been reading this blog for a while you know that I support nuclear energy.  It's not that I think it's a wonderful technology - there are unresolved problems with waste disposal and there are some dangers.  It's the only realistic technology, though, for replacing our large, coal-fired generating plants.  We haven't solved the waste disposal problem for coal, either - just dumping the waste in the atmosphere turns out to be very dangerous.  And many more people have been killed in providing electricity from coal than from nuclear energy. 

Renewable energy is great and I support it.  We need to address the cost and variablity issues, however, if we are to rely on it for a substantial portion of our energy needs. 

So let's all do what we can, and demand that our legislators address the problem instead of ducking it.  The issue is not going to go away and the solutions won't get easier.

[Note: I apologize for the delay in posting.  Things have been very busy.  I hope to get back on schedul e next week.]

 

Comments

[Solar]

Yes! Keeping in mind the drastic environmental changes and rising fuel prices going Solar is one option open to all at minimal investments. The Solar Water heating systems are so easy to install and most of them come in a Do-it Yourself kit, With the technological advancement the once heavy, bulky hard to move panels are now available widely in light weight easy to carry by one personal only packages. The advancement in technology is not only limited to light weight, but for those concern about the asthetics of the panels, the good news is that the panels are now available with a variety of teim colors to choose from and can be easily matched to your roof. Saving about $25.oo on ones electricity bill on a residence of 4. We all use hot water, as one of our basic needs and what can be a better way, than helping our environment, saving our resources and ourself's some money other than by investing in a Solar Water Heating System.
There are a couple useful websites I'm aware off, that I would like to share with you
1. www.dsireusa.org - is a comprehensive source of information on state, local
, utility ans federal incentives that promote renewable engery ans energy efficieny.
2. www.powerpartnerssolar.com - one of the many manufacturers of certified Solar Water Heating Systems available. One place I saw the light weight panels and trim color options I was mentioning earlier.
Lastly, the local utilites in some areas also provide additional rebates and incentives for adding a Solar Water Heating Sytem to your exisitng water tank.
Keep the look out on. Feel Good and save- money for you, environment for us.

[Tom Wilson]

Thanks for your comment. Solar hot water seems to be a technology that works in our area and is affordable. Those who are about to replace their water heater should definitely consider it. There are also installations available to supplement existing hot water heaters. With the state subsidy, the payback period is very small.