Learning to Go Green
Going Green by the Numbers
An eco-conscious lifestyle often means going the extra yard. But what if you're not quite ready to make that leap? Well, consider this.
"Making small adjustments to our habits can significantly reduce our wastefulness and have a positive impact on the planet," says Jodi Helmer, author of The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference
"When it comes to going green, small changes are easy to make and the benefits to the environment really do add up."Take a closer look at the green benefits (and consequences) behind some of our daily activities. The numbers are mind blowing (and might give us a good kick in the pants).
Green by the Numbers
"Making small adjustments to our habits can significantly reduce our wastefulness and have a positive impact on the planet," says Jodi Helmer, author of The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference
Keep gas where it belongs--in your tank. Loose, damaged, or missing gas caps are responsible for 147 million gallons of gas evaporating in the U.S. every year. It's as simple as turning your gas cap until it clicks three times.
Getty Images
In one year, you can save one ton of carbon dioxide emissions by turning off your computer at the end of the day, Helmer says. Use the sleep mode during the day (if you'll be away for 20 minutes or more) and save even more energy.
jupiterimages
Save one percent of your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat over an eight-hour period, Helmer says.
Getty Images
The energy costs you would save by ditching your dryer and hang-drying your clothes instead is equivalent to a $10,000 investment in a solar electric system, say Stephen and Rebekah Hren, authors of The Carbon-Free Home: 36 Remodeling Projects to Help Kick the Fossil-Fuel Habit (2008, Chelsea Green).
Corbis
According to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), between 1960 and 2007, the amount of waste each person creates has almost doubled from 2.7 to 4.6 pounds per day.
jupiterimages
Choosing energy-efficient products can save families as much as $400 a year, while also reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases, according to the
EPA.
www.buyenergyefficient.org
Energy star fridges are six times more efficient than older ones. Old fridges use 5-6 kilowatt hours/day, whereas Energy Star ones use only one hour. The Hrens have figured out that that can mean a savings of $15 - $20/month on your electric bill.
Amazon
According to the EPA, a family of four uses 400 gallons of water every day. Fixing your leaky toilet can save 200 gallons alone. Helmer has crunched the numbers and says you can save 10 gallons of water just by turning off the tap when brushing teeth, washing your face, or shaving.
Getty Images
Eight million tons of trees are used each to make paper catalogs, Helmer says. Make sure to recycle your catalogs, or reduce the demand altogether by unsubscribing at catalogchoice.com.
jupiterimages
Recent Comments
RWAG007 06:19:19 PM May 14 2009
ADD ONE GALLON OF WATER AND MOTH BALLS IN YOUR FUEL TANK ..IT WILL INCREASE YOUR OCTANE NUMBER FOR MORE POWER FROM EACH GALLON OF GAS......RUNS HOTTER AND CLEANER NO CARBON BUILDUP
S321Saint 06:10:30 PM May 14 2009
Its tiring to here this eco non-sense. And I've been hearing it for over 35 years. I agree with some of the smaller things that actually SAVE things...like a tight gas cap, etc. But, buying "eco" appliances, its a BIG tradeoff. They are MORE EXPENSIVE. And the "saving" you supposedly have, you really never see. As for turning off your computer at night saving CO2....thats simply ridiculous. Now it probably will save your monitor and computer, but CO2? Nope. Simple fantasy there. Facts are that CO2 is a naturally occuring gas that is essential to life on this planet. Facts are that there have been NO (zero, nada, etc) scientific studies that show 1) mankind's rationing of CO2 will have ANY effect on worldwide climate 2) mankinds's current ACTUAL efforts at this is having ANY effect whatsoever, 3) mankind CAN or ever has influence climate worldwide. Algore's cap and trade only moves money from countries and businesses that are flush with money to countries and businesses (lots of them al
Glmco 05:30:53 PM May 14 2009
in a way stupid, news, i have own many cars and that,s ahhh. no wait, ridin is wright in my 2 police interceptors the light goes on, and i need to turn the gas cap, a quarter turn, done, congratulations, aol, bad bad, and very wrong news,
LauZ34 05:09:43 PM May 14 2009
Best check your manual for how many clicks of the gas cap all are NOT the same least I know mine isnt 3 clicks......But then many never bother to read their Owners Manual
JustGoAwayMad 04:05:06 PM May 14 2009
Whos azz do they pull these numbers out of...... 147 million gallons NO WAY prove it. That number is stupid inflated to impress the moron public into believing it. BS
Ridin907 03:50:24 PM May 14 2009
AS AN AUTOMOBILE ENGINEER IF THAT IS A FACT. ALL CARS SINCE 1996 HAD A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WIICH WILL COME ON IF AN EVAP LEAK IS PRESENT , IE LOOSE GAS CAP THANKS FOR THE GREAT INFO.
A Little Love for the Earth, Please
Nasa
Small changes can have big results. Really! Learn how you can jumpstart an eco-conscious lifestyle or how you can kick it up a notch if you've already got the basics down pat.
- Going Green by the Numbers
- Already Going Green? Take it a Step Further
- 22 Little Ways to Make a Difference
- 5 Easy Ways to Save Water
- 7 Green Money Savers for the Home
- Green Cleaning Products Put to the Test
- Green Gadgets of the Future
