10 Steps to Reduce your Carbon Footprint and Save Money
Did you know that one third of the CO2 produced in the US is from the transportation of people or goods? Pick one day a week to walk, bike, take public transportation or carpool to work or when you're running errands. If possible, live close to your workplace. When driving, remember to combine several car trips into one trip and avoid idling. Additionally, you can get better fuel efficiency by following the speed limit. Exceeding the speed limit by just 5 mph during highway travel results in an average fuel economy loss of 6%.
Did you know that the average American generates about 4.4 lbs of trash each day? To reduce the amount of trash you generate, follow these few easy steps. Use re-usable coffee mugs and shopping bags. If you forget your mug or bag at the store, buy a new reusable mug or bag and keep the extra one in your purse or car for use the next time you're out. Alternatively, set aside $1 each time you forget your mug or bag; depending on your memory, you'll have enough funds to purchase a reusable item sooner or later. Also, reuse as many things as possible and recycle at home, work and school.
The shorter the distance your food travels to your plate or that product travels to your home, the fewer greenhouse gases are produced. Declare one day a week "Local Day" and eat foods produced within 50 miles of your house.
Did you know that water-related energy use consumes 19% of California's electricity, 30% of its natural gas, and 88 billion gallons of diesel fuel every year? To reduce your water consumption at home, turn off your water when it's not use, take shorter showers, stop unseen leaks by reading your meter, install low-flow shower heads and aerators on your facet, install and use water efficient landscaping and irrigation methods (for example, plant drought tolerant plants and/or install permeable surfaces and drip irrigation systems), and use EnergyStar appliances.
Did you know that appliances, chargers, home theater equipment, stereos and televisions use electricity even when their power is "off"? Eliminating this "leaking" electricity could save you 6–26% on your average monthly electricity bill. Take a walking tour of your home and unplug seldom-used appliances and install power strips so that the power to frequently used items can be easily turned off.
Replace any incandescent light bulbs that remain in your home with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Replacing one incandescent light bulb with a CFL can save $30 or more in electricity costs over the bulb’s lifespan.
Set your thermostat in winter to 68°or less during the daytime, and 55° before going to sleep (or when you're away for the day), to save 5-20% of your space heating costs. During the summer, set thermostats to 78° degrees or more to save 5-20% of your cooling costs. For an easy fix, purchase an inexpensive programmable thermostat that makes these changes for you.
Did you know that you can save up to 350 lbs of CO2 and $150 per year at home by simply keeping air filters clean? To determine more ways to increase energy efficiency, take advantage of free home energy audits offered by many utility companies. When you are ready to purchase an appliance, ensure that you purchase an EnergyStar appliance. To reduce carbon emissions associated with energy use, install or purchase alternative energy for your electricity needs.
- Home Energy Audits
- EnergyStar Qualified Projects
- Consumer Reports Green Buying Guide for Appliances
- PG&E's Home Appliance Rebate Program
- PG&E's General Improvement Rebate Program
- PG&E's Climate Smart Program (voluntary option for PG&E customers to reduce their personal impact on climate change)
- Buy Green Power
- With SMUD's Greenergy, you can buy energy produced by naturally occurring renewable resources like the wind, sun and methane gas
Did you know that junk mail production in the US consumes as much energy as 2.8 million cars? Stop your junk mail at www.directmail.com/junk_mail. Stop unwanted catalogs at www.catalogchoice.org.
Share these tips with your family and friends to foster a better planet for our children. Contact your local policymakers to let them know that action must be taken now to address climate change.
