The Zero-Emissions Challenge, Part 9: Commitment to Action
So begins one famous discussion of self-appraisal. As with any critical self examination, a carbon inventory is wasted effort unless followed by an action plan. Yesterday, my wife and I sat down and discussed the analysis I've been doing. Clearly there's room for reduction, but at the same time, it isn't practical or (in some cases) even possible to make all the necessary changes immediately. Reviewing the areas identified for improvement, we've agreed to take the following actions in the indicated time frames:
"Having made our personal inventory, what shall we do about it?"
- Lighting: We'll continue to replace burned out incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs. By year end, any remaining incandescent bulbs that we use for 15 minutes or more per day, we'll replace with CFLs.
- Next year, we'll look at replacing our 300-watt exterior halogen lights with CFLs.
- Other Electrical: This weekend, we'll install power strips on our TV/VCR/DVD/Stereo, and turn them off at the power strip when not in use. (The "instant on" features continue to draw power even when the units are turned off.)
- We've already unplugged the TV/VCR in the bedroom, which we rarely use.
- We've already begun turning off our computers when not in use, and turning on the printers only when we need them.
- Heating: Before winter, we'll caulk and insulate the barn and pump house.
- As much as possible, this winter we'll use wood for heat, including the barn; our goal is to eliminate electric heat and minimize propane.
- Before winter, we'll install a passive solar heater on the pump house to reduce electric space heating there.
- While we're not willing to tear up the floor in the bathroom just now, when we do replace the tile, we'll install an in-floor hot water heating system, eliminating the need for winter electric space heating in the bathroom.
- Driving: By this time next year, I will have stopped working in Los Angeles.
- We've set a goal, starting immediately, of limiting our trips to town to two per week.
- So far we've been unable to find data comparing CO2 emissions of horse-driven transportation with internal combustion; we'll continue to seek that information.
- Technology: When we buy our next car, we will seriously consider a hybrid.
- We had planned to install a wind generator this summer, but couldn't find the right equipment for our needs. We'll continue to look, with the goal of installing one in the spring, once the snow melts.
- We'll also explore the feasibility of a tracking system for our solar panels, which would both increase our total power generation by about 25% and raise the level of generation during morning and afternoon/evening hours.
- Next year, if feasible, we'll install a root cellar, possibly in conjunction with earthen insulation on the north wall of our home.
- We'll continue to evaluate technological options, and implement them where they make economic sense.
- Planting Trees: We don't have $500 to spend on planting trees right now but, budget permitting, we'll donate $10 per month for the next 50 months to the Arbor Day Foundation. ($10 plants 10 trees.) Thereafter, we'll pay for at least 20 trees per year to be planted.
- We'll recheck our figures in three months and see where we stand.
- We'll continue to look for ways to reduce our carbon impact.
That's our commitment to reduce our global emissions. It won't drop them to zero right away, but by this time next year we should be well within the Kyoto protocol's allowance of 11,000 pounds of CO2 per person annually— and in five years, we'll have planted enough trees to offset the emissions we do produce.
We see this as an ongoing process. New (and cheaper) technology will help us in the long run. But we also believe we can't wait for technology to make this painless. And we can't wait for someone else to lead the way.
Did you see the link to the "beyond energy star" refrigerators I left on a prior post? What do you think? I was wondering if we should replace our fridge with one.
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I looked at them. They look like great fridges. They're also pricey at $3,000 for 19 cu. ft..
In terms of CO2 reduction, Sunfrost advertises that their 16 cf. fridge uses 15 Kwh per month, whereas a comparable conventional fridge uses 90 Kwh per month. However, current Energy Star ratings require consumption of 34 Kwh per month or less for new fridges, so let's compare with the fridges you'd otherwise buy. Sunfrost offers a 19 Kwh per month savings over Energy Star, which is 108 Kwh per year or 162 pounds of CO2 annually.
The Sunfrost 16 cf model costs $2,900, while a GE 16 cf Energy Star fridge costs $580 at Home Depot. That's a difference of $2,320, or $14.32 per annual pound of CO2 eliminated.
As I said, they look like great fridges. If it makes sense to buy one for its features (or if you're off grid and have limited electricity production), go for it. But as I see it, there are cheaper ways to reduce CO2 emissions. Even solar panels on your roof would provide a better cost-benefit.
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Thanks! That puts it in perspective nicely.
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