The transportation industry is one of the largest sources of climate change emissions in the United States. Transportation in the U.S. is responsible for approximately 27% of all CO2 emissions. In fact, American cars and pickup trucks are responsible for nearly half of the CO2 emitted by automobiles globally. Consequently, to effectively reduce our CO2 emissions, it is clear we must modify our driving habits.
Think Before You Drive
Consider public transportation, carpooling, walking and biking as an alternative to driving your vehicle. Also, reduce the amount you drive by planning ahead and combining your errands.
Telecommuting
Depending on your particular work responsibilities, telecommuting will allow you to work at home all or some portion of the work week. Telecommuting reduces the need to travel to work five days a week. Ask your employer about telecommuting as an alternative to the traditional onsite workstation.
Choose A Fuel Efficient Vehicle
When buying your next vehicle, look for one that has a high fuel economy rating. A vehicle that gets 20 miles per gallon will emit about 50 tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. A car getting 40 mpg will emit half that much and will save roughly $3,000 in fuel costs. (See
www.fueleconomy.gov for a fuel economy comparison guide.)
Driving Tips
Reduce your CO2 emissions and the amount you spend on fuel by following these simple steps:
* Avoid hard acceleration because this uses more fuel.
* Keep your speed down and turn off the engine when idling. For every mile per hour (mph) faster than 55 mph, fuel economy drops by about 1 percent. The faster you go, the faster the fuel goes.
* Make sure your car is serviced regularly. A tune-up could boost your miles per gallon anywhere from 4 to 40 percent; a new air filter could get you 10 percent more miles per gallon. Have the A/C coolant recycled.
* Check your tire pressure regularly. If all Americans kept their tires properly inflated, gasoline use nationwide would come down 2 percent.
* Travel outside of rush hours to avoid congestion and unnecessary idling.
* Travel light and remove unnecessary loads and racks when not in use.
Buy Locally
Lifestyle choices can make a big difference in your environmental impact. By being aware of how food and clothes are made and shipped, you can reduce emissions - both locally and globally.
Reduce Air Travel
Aircraft pump out carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases high in the atmosphere, where they do more damage. The official Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change calculates that commercial aircraft are responsible for at least 3.5 per cent of global warming, equivalent to the emissions from the whole of Canada. There does not seem to be a good alternative to flying other than not flying. Reduce your air travel by utilizing new technologies such as webcams to hold virtual meetings with people far away. When you do have to fly, choose direct flights whenever possible to reduce CO2 emissions. Buy green tags to offset your carbon emissions, and include the cost of green tags as part of all your normal business travel expenses.
Household Energy Efficiency
Making your home energy-efficient helps to reduce air pollution and prevent global warming. Every time you flip on a light switch, run your dishwasher or turn on your air conditioner or furnace, you use energy, which means more pollution from power plants. The more energy we save at home, the more we can help protect the climate from overheating.
Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling systems consume more energy than any other system in your home. Set the air conditioning (A/C) to a moderate 78° F and the heating at 68° F. You can cut 5-8% off your bill for every degree change in the thermostat. Replace your standard thermostat with a programmable one that has an automatic timer. It will keep your heating and A/C off while you are at work and turn itself back on before you get home.
Passive Solar Heating
When it is cool/cold outside, leave shades and blinds open on sunny days to take advantage of passive solar heating, but close them at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. Close shades and blinds during hot summer days or when the air conditioner is in use to reduce solar heating.
Water Heater
Many water heaters are set at a higher temperature than necessary (120°F is sufficient). For every 10° F you drop the water temperature, you can save 6% on your water heating cost. Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket (but only if the water heater is over 5 years old and has no internal insulation). Better still, purchase a solar water heater or tankless unit.
Use Efficient Lighting
Lighting can account for as much as 20 percent of your household energy use. Don’t sit in the dark, but whenever possible, keep lights off it they are not in use, and replace your traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent lights are 80% more efficient and you’ll save $30-$45 over the lifetime of the bulb.
Unplug Electrical Equipment
Use power strips to switch off televisions, home theater equipment, and stereos when you're not using them. The "standby" consumption by this equipment can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously.
Put Your Computers to Sleep
Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer, allowing it to use less power during periods of inactivity. In Windows, the power management settings are found on your control panel. Mac users, look for energy saving settings under "system preferences" in the Apple menu.
Refrigerator and Freezer
Your refrigerator and freezer will run more efficiently if you defrost them regularly. Set your refrigerator temperature at 38 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Your freezer should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the power-save switch if your refrigerator has one, and make sure the door seals tightly.
Buy Energy Efficient Appliances
Household appliances account for about 20 percent of annual home energy consumption. When purchasing new appliances look for the Energy Star label, which identifies the most efficient appliances. You may spend a little more up front, but you'll save a lot on electricity -- and reduce CO2 emissions.
Wash With a Full Load
Use your washing machine or dish washer only when you have a full load. Wash clothes in warm or cold water. Use the energy-saving setting to dry your dishes.
Plant A Tree, Protect A Forest
Trees absorb CO2, reduce the need for air conditioning by shading your house in summer, cut down on heating costs by shielding it from wind in the winter.
Weatherize Your Home or Apartment
You can cut your heating and cooling expenses and reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a minimal investment. Use weather stripping to seal drafts around windows and doors. If a draft comes through electrical outlets or switches on outside walls, install foam draft blockers behind the cover plates. Insulate your walls and ceilings; this can save about 25% of home heating bills. If you need to replace your windows, install the best energy-saving models.
Get a Home Energy Audit
The typical American family spends close to $1,500 a year on utility bills. As much as half of that expense could be saved by making the home more energy-efficient. Whether performed by you or a professional, an energy audit can help you determine where your house is losing energy and what changes would most improve its efficiency.
Reduce Your Waste
Buy food and other products with reusable or recyclable packaging instead of those in nonrecyclable packaging. Choose reusable products over disposable ones.
