Energy Changes We Can All Make

Energy changes can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. So we’ll start with United States and Canada and go from there…..

Can you name the things that you do each day that use energy? And can you use them in a different and better way to reduce air and water pollution?

Let’s start with your car or cars. Are your filters and emission controls at their peak efficiency? Do you have to drive in rush-hour conditions where your engine runs in idle while you’re standing still? Are your tire pressures set properly for most efficient car operation? There’s more you can probably think of.

Meanwhile back at home – How is your home insulation? Have your windows been checked lately for leakage (summer and winter)? If you burn oil or natural gas to heat your home is your burner set at maximum efficiency? Do you know if your electric company has “time of use” or “time of day (TOD)” rates? If they do, do you know how your timely use of electricity can save you money and help the environment at the same time?

Then, leaving home, do you commute to work? Do you drive there? Do you know what a motor pool is? Are you in one? Can you take mass transit to work (railroad, bus, subway)?

Oh, and do you smoke? Cigarettes, cigars or pipe? Do you know how many tons of tobacco are consumed each year in the United States? … in the world? Do you think that adds to GHG pollution? (Did you know GHG stands for Green House Gas?)

Do you believe that global warming is caused by humans? If so, do you believe that humans can solve the problem?

It is suggested that as we study these questions, and our answers to them, we should also study how our friends and neighbors approach the questions.

Can you, or we, work together to reduce the human impact on the global warming, not only GHG but all other pollution causing activities?

It has been said that government at the local level is basic, most democratic so to say. If you believe that common action can have an impact on the causes of global warming – then, by all means, act with your neighbors and get your representatives to take real action at all levels of government.

Perhaps it is wise to remind the government people that our constitution has built-in term limitations – they are called elections!