Saving Energy is easier than you think!

The average American generates about 19-20 tons of carbon dioxide each year. Simple activities such as watching television, sending an email message, cooking & making a phone call all produce carbon emissions. But there're many simple & inexpensive ways you can reduce your carbon emissions (and your energy costs) beginning today.

According to Evan Mills, a scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Residential energy use generates approximately 21% of total U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions & transportation represents 33%. This means that you & I, through everyday decisions, impact more than fifty percent of US greenhouse gas emissions.

Simple But Important Ways to Reduce Carbon Emissions
There're many ways to reduce carbon emissions but those listed below will have great impact. And you do not have to do them all at once.

Driving & Transportation
? Follow manufacturer recommendations for proper tire inflation & oil change often & keep your car tuned. Doing so will significantly improve your fuel mileage & reduce your carbon emissions.
? Slowing down helps. "Driving sixty-five miles per hour versus 75 miles per hour can save you up to 1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, even more if you drive an SUV," said Urvashi Rangan, a senior scientist & policy analyst with Consumer Reports. So... Such a speed reduction improves gas mileage by fifteen percent & the savings go directly to the pocketbook.
? Hybrids may not actually be the answer for everyone. Fuel efficient vehicles in every category can be easily found in the marketplace today. Choose your car with energy efficiency in mind. By doing so, you can reduce your energy consumption, save money & reduce our reliance on imported oil.
? Consider biking & even walking for local trips. Right. When you must drive, plan ahead to reduce your trips. Park centrally to reduce how often you turn the ignition on & off. Investigate carpool & ride-share possibilities.

Home Energy Efficiency
? Implementing the recommendations of a home-energy audit can improve your home's energy efficiency by as much as 25%. Contact your local utility company & ask about an audit. If you live in Marin or the East Bay, you can investigate free energy audit services provided by Rising Sun Energy http://www.risingsunenergy.org/cyes.htm Alternatively, you can consider a 'do-it yourself' home audit by using the tools found at the Home Energy Saver Web site, http://hes.lbl.gov/

? Typical energy efficiency candidates include heating/air conditioning, hot water heater, window & door sealing, insulation, fireplace & chimney, lighting, programmable thermostats, & laundry & kitchen appliances. CFLs have become mainstream. Incandescent has become a 'dirty word'.

Eating 'Green'
Growing & transporting food accounts for an estimated 17% of the total energy consumption of the US. Foods produced locally simply do not require sophisticated, expensive transportation systems to get to the table. And if chosen with reasonable care, locally produced food is fresher & tastes better… Farmers' Markets are an excellent source of locally produced food.

Unplug
five percent of US electricity is consumed by electronics products that are turned off, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based coalition of business & government leaders. At the end of the day, & especially when taking a trip, unplug your appliances including televisions & stereos. Use a power strip, enabling you to plug/unplug a series of devices with a single touch.

Technology
Consider a laptop next time you upgrade your PC. Laptops use considerably less energy than desktops. Clear? If you use a desktop, use a flat-panel display which uses much less energy than a CRT. Use remanufactured ink & toner cartridges, think twice or two times about printing, use recycled paper products.

Water
Install low-flow toilets, faucet aerators, showerheads. There is more. Take more showers, fewer baths. There is more. Turn off the water while brushing teeth & shaving. Install a drip irrigation system & consider cheaper, drought resistant alternatives to lawns. There is more. Turf grass is a water guzzler.

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Minimize
Separate your trash & recycle. Buy local - transporting product is expensive & contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Avoid products with unnecessary packaging. When you can not avoid, re-use or recycle. Use cloth shopping bags.

Stan Gassman is a co-founder & principal of BSC Sustainability Services, http://www.bscsustainabilityservices.com a consulting company devoted to helping clients increase marketplace value by incorporating sustainability within their culture & operations.

Contact Stan via email, sgassman@bscsustainabilityservices.com