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Saturday, December 31, 2005

Green Resolution

I've been meaning to put together a list of simple things we can do to reduce carbon emissions. My number one resolution for the new year is to curb my own carbon output (as well, predictably, as my caloric input). Of course this will be difficult since I will be doing a lot of air travel and since I do not currently have a home to make greener, but I will do the best I can.

There are some really good lists for carbon-reducing actions already on the Web, so rather than re-creating the wheel, I figured I'd highlight some of the better destinations. These include:


  1. Undoit: Environmental Defense Fund's "20 Simple Steps to Undo Global Warming." This list mostly pertains to greening one's house, such as optimizing appliance performance and choosing the right lightbulbs, but is also includes some vehicular advice. Each item has an estimate for net carbon and cost savings.
  2. Participate.net's Oil Change campaign, associated with the film Syriana, ask for participants to pledge to reduce their dependence on foreign oil by committing to actions that save oil by making cars more efficient and by saving oil at work.
  3. Carbon Trust: a UK government funded NGO that advises businesses and publice sector organizations reduce emissions has a basic list of lighting, heating and energy management tips.
  4. Greenpeace: has 12 steps to greater efficiency in the home. Good stuff, including a plea not to use electric heaters and boilers, which are extremely inefficient.
  5. Environmental Defense: has a number of political actions to take, such as urging automakers to manufacture more efficient vehicles and pressuring congress to support
  6. Offsetters: for those, like me, who must travel by air, the best we can do aside from reducing the number of trips we take, is to invest in carbon reducing activities which offset the enormous emissions associated with burning jet fuel. Offsetters has a handy flight-emissions calculator, so you can know exactly how guilty to feel when you plan your travel.
  7. Terrapass: if clocking big miles in a big SUV is your vice, then please sell your damn SUV and get a reasonably sized car. If this isn't in the cards for you, then calculate your vehicular emissions and purchase offsets.

Please post more suggestions to help us with our green resolutions. Happy New Year!

2 Comments:

  • At 6:28 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Thanks for this list. I found that Energy Hawk has a bit more detail on conservation for the home, right down to the kinds of cookware to use. Happy New Year!

     
  • At 3:12 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    The Energy Saving Trust (UK based) encourages consumers to "save 20%". Some useful basic tips and an "energy obesity" quiz to test your own consumption:

    http://www.est.org.uk/myhome/20percent/

    The NRDC also has tip sheets for various levels of committment:

    http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/genergy.asp

     

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