Kermit the Frog famously philosophized, “It’s not easy being green.” When it came to the thought of changing my lifestyle to match my belief in “Going Green,” my first reaction was to agree with him. But, it doesn’t have to be an impossible uphill battle.
One of the things I’ve realized in pondering and implementing the ten principles of the PrairieMod Lifestyle, is that small steps can help put me on the path to big changes. So I’ve decided to take the small step to “Go Green” by replacing all the standard light bulbs in my home with high efficiency CFL bulbs.
This little change will help reduce the amount of electricity used by 25% and the bulbs will last 10 times longer, reducing waste and money...offsetting the CFL’s higher initial cost. This is a win/win scenario and it was easy to implement. It really is the little things that can matter most!
Image courtesy of www.muppets.com
Although Kermit was right, in the long run it will be easier being green than not. Between the historic threats posed by global warming and "peak oil" humanity is entering a survival terra incognita. Early adaptation by behavior and lifestyle change is becoming essential.
For the sake of those whom you might influence it's important to get the numbers right. Compact Fluorescent "light bulbs" (in quotes since many of them aren't bulbular) will save between 70% and 75% of the electricity used to power them. Since lighting is between 15% and 25% of our home energy needs and cost, the 20% figure (an average is where you'll save upwards of 75%.
That's just a beginning. Given the nature and depth of the crisis we must do a lot more for starters.
A commitment to reduce and then eliminate the waste in our lives would be a good second step. Since we waste about half of the energy we use we can cut our carbon footprint (the amount of CO2 we are responsible for emitting) and cut our energy costs by eliminating the waste. A certified energy audit (HERS or BPI) would be the next step to take for home and small business energy savings. It's a good way to seal the commitment while discovering the means toward further CO2 reduction and energy savings. The numbers will tell you what next to do towards further savings.
I won't go into any more depth than to say that turning off unnecessary lighting and equipment, recycling, and using public transportation are other good moves.
The most important thing is to become literate about the problems. The Post Carbon Institute is as good a place to start as any, and better than most. For detailed information you can go to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy or the Rocky Mountain Institute.
An extraordinary accurate and humorous 20 minute video on the nature of the problem can be seen by going to www.storyofstuff.com
Remember, we can eliminate at least half of our carbon emissions by eliminating the vast amount of waste in out lives. To do otherwise is fiscal irresponsibility and a crime against the future of our children. and grand-children.
Posted by: Larry Menkes | May 18, 2008 at 02:54 PM