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Solutions
The technology already exists to reduce our greenhouse-gas emissions substantially. There is a lot you can do as a Rotarian, a business leader and an individual.
Steps for Rotarians
Rotary's model of service through fellowship gives us uniquely powerful ways of helping to solve the climate crisis. Click here for things you and your Rotary club can do.
Steps for Businesses
Fortune 500 businesses are reducing their carbon emissions. You can do the same within your own company. You'll save energy costs and ensure that your company stays ahead of the government regulations that are likely to come with increased concerns about climate change. There are several steps you can take:
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with more efficient fluorescent or LED (light-emitting diode) lighting.
• Shut off lights during non-working hours. Install timers or sensors to turn off lights in areas not being used.
• Switch off or unplug computers and other energy-using devices when not in use.
• Conserve heating and cooling by turning down systems after working hours. Don't heat or cool less-frequented areas.
• Have your heating and cooling systems serviced regularly to ensure efficiency.
• Generate employee enthusiasm about saving energy. Publicize your efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Poll your employees about whether they think energy is being wasted and in what ways. Challenge them to think about how they can conserve energy. Offer your employees incentives to reduce their own carbon footprint, such as subsidies for hybrid cars, car pools or using public transit.
• Make the switch to renewable energy:
If your local power grid allows it, buy your electricity from a sustainable source such as wind, solar, or geothermal power. See the Federal EPA’s free PDF Guide to Purchasing Green Power.
If your grid does not offer that option, buy Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset your company's consumption of fossil-fuel electricity. By buying a REC, you subsidize a wind, solar or geothermal power provider to produce electricity without burning fossil fuels. That reduces the power grid's overall greenhouse-gas emissions. To make sure the carbon reductions are real, choose "Green-e Climate" certified RECs.
Steps for Individuals
• First and foremost: Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs provide the same light, but use 75% less electricity. They are the single most cost-effective thing you can do to fight global warming. In its eighteen-year life, a $3 CFL can save greenhouse emissions equivalent to driving a mid-sized car nearly 4000 miles.
• Make sure your next car or appliance is fuel-efficient. Get involved in rideshare programs. Your car and appliances are the biggest consumer choices you can make to reduce your carbon footprint.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle. A big part of our carbon footprint comes from the energy it takes to make the things we buy. Use only what you need. Recycle all the waste you can.
• Get informed:
Calculate your carbon footprint. Two of our favorite carbon calculators are:
www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html
This one, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, gives a quick estimate of your direct emissions from driving and electricity use. It also lets you see how much recycling helps reduce your footprint.
www.carbonfootprint.com
This one, from the U.K., lets you see how much of your carbon footprint comes indirectly, from products and services you buy.
Get a home energy audit. Many local electric companies offer this service free.
Contact your local utility about incentives for reducing your carbon footprint through energy efficiency and renewable energy.
In San Diego, see the California Center for Sustainable Energy for information on incentives and home energy audits.
• Save energy at home:
Install solar panels or a solar water heater.
Install solar heating for your swimming pool. Solar pool heaters pay for themselves in just a couple of years.
Reduce your waste by recycling and composting.
Shorten your showers. Showers account for 2/3 of your water heating costs.
Reduce dishwasher use.
Plant shade trees and reduce ambient heating.
Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.
Use kitchen, bath or attic fans instead of air-conditioning.
• When you've reduced as much as you can, offset your remaining footprint by Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). Use RECs with "Green-e Climate" certification.
• For more ideas on how you can help, see:
Union of Concerned Scientists
PowerScorecard.org
