Global Cooling

Printed in the Family Post: Back to School Issue 2007

1. COOL CARS DON’T GUZZLE.

When you buy your next car, look for the one with the best fuel economy in its class. The vehicle you drive has the single largest impact on climate change of any action you take. For each gallon of gas you burn, 20 pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) is released into the atmosphere. And better gas mileage not only reduces global warming, but also will save you thousands of dollars at the pump over the life of the vehicle. Check the fuel economy sticker on the cars you’re considering and look for new technologies like hybrid engines. Hybrids run on gasoline and self-charging electric engines that never have to be plugged in.

2. THINK BEFORE YOU DRIVE.

If you own more than one vehicle, use the less fuel-efficient one only when you can fill it with passengers -- a full minivan may be kinder to the environment than using two midsize cars. Use your gas miser for travel with one or two passengers. And whenever possible, join a carpool or take mass transit.

3. LOOK FOR ENERGY STAR®.

When it comes time to replace appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR® label on new appliances (refrigerators, freezers, furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters use the most energy). These items may cost a bit more initially, but the energy savings will pay back the extra investment within a couple of years. Household energy savings really can make a difference. If each household in the US replaced its existing appliances with the most efficient models available, we would save $15 billion in energy costs and eliminate 175 million tons of heat-trapping gases.

4. LIGHT BULBS MATTER.

If every family in the US replaced one regular light bulb with an energy saving model, we’d reduce global warming pollution by more than 90 billion pounds, the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road. So replace your incandescent light bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent lights, which now come in all shapes and sizes. CFLs last for years, so you’ll save on bulbs as well as your electricity bills.

5. UNPLUG A FREEZER.

One of the quickest ways to reduce your global warming impact is to unplug the extra refrigerator or freezer you rarely use -- except when you need it for holidays and parties. This can reduce the typical family’s carbon dioxide gas emissions nearly 10 percent. Or call your local utility to inquire about their refrigerator/freezer-recycling program.

6. GET A HOME ENERGY SURVEY.

Many utilities offer free home energy surveys. Take advantage of this service. Simple measures like installing a programmable thermostat to replace your old dial unit, or sealing and insulating heating and cooling ducts, can each reduce a typical family’s carbon dioxide emissions by about 5 percent.

7. PLANT A TREE.

You can also make a difference in your own backyard. Get a group in your neighborhood together and contact your local arborist or urban forester about planting trees on private property and public areas. In addition to storing carbon, trees planted in and around urban areas and residences can provide much-needed shade in the summer, reducing energy bills and fossil fuel use.

8. WASH YOUR CLOTHES IN COLD WATER INSTEAD OF HOT.

If you use the right detergent, your clothes will be just as clean, and you will cut your energy use in half. And cooler temps mean less wear and tear on your clothes—so your clothes will last longer and you’ll reduce your energy bills.

9. BUG THE BOSS.

While our individual actions can make a big difference, we can each amplify our efforts by suggesting energy-efficiency measures at work, school or with our local government. Simple policies like turning off lights and computer workstations at night can add up to significant energy savings. Bigger changes like switching to compact fluorescent lighting, investing in energyefficient computers and office machines, or using renewable energy can make a huge difference. For example, in 1990 the city of Toronto embarked on an effort to reduce its emission of global warming gases. To date, it has reduced them 67% below 1990 levels. Energy-efficiency measures alone now save the city $10 million (Cdn) each year.