Personal Actions To Lower Emissions
the following information comes mainly from
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/climate/getInvolvedDriver.htm,
and http://www.epa.gov
This information may be sent out to the locals and students via e-mail or printed as brochures and distributed
around campus. Please include the above links into the brochures/e-mails as it has lots of useful information.
For Drivers…
Drive less.
Reducing driving by at least 10% will significantly reduce global warming pollution and save a few trips to the gas
station. A 3km walk uses up about half the energy in a small chocolate bar. 3km by car expends 10 times as much
energy but from the wrong source. We can make chocolate but oil reserves are finite. Use public transit or ride share
– or fuel-less alternatives such as walking, cycling, jogging or in-line skating, which allow transporters to exercise at
the same time. Optionally reduce driving by choosing services close to home or work and combining your errands into
one trip. This will save you time, money and fuel, and help you avoid traffic jams. How?
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Get rid of a car.
Reduce climate pollution and save thousands of dollars on operating costs and depreciation, particularly if
it is an older vehicle.
Plan and combine trips.
Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start
can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is
warm. With a little planning, you can avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel as
well. You'll not only save fuel, but also reduce wear and tear on your car.
Be a smart commuter.
If you can stagger your work hours to avoid peak rush hours, you'll spend less time sitting in traffic and
consume less fuel. If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage
whenever possible. Take advantage of carpools, vanpools and ride-share programs. You can cut your
weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters. Also,
carpools allow you to use the faster HOV lanes. Some of the best solutions? Take the bus or ride a bike.
Drive more efficiently.
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Drive sensibly.
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage
by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and
others, so you may save more than gas money. To improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, accelerate gently and go easy on the brakes.
Observe the speed limit.
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas
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mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that
each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph results in an additional cost of $0.21 per gallon for gas. Observing the
speed limit is also safer and increases the life of your tires.
Remove excess weight.
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. And while roof racks may allow
you to meet your needs with a smaller car, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5
percent. Reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel economy by placing items inside the trunk
whenever possible. Avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 lbs in the trunk
reduces a typical car's fuel economy by 1-2 percent
Avoid excessive idling.
An idling car gets 0 miles per gallon and releases carcinogenic air toxins. Cars with larger engines
typically waste more gas at idle than do cars with smaller engines. If you stop for more than 10 seconds,
except in traffic, turn off your engine and save.
Use cruise control.
Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save
gas.
Use overdrive gears.
When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces
engine wear.
Reduce air conditioner use.
Using your air conditioner in stop-and-go traffic can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20%. Try
opening the windows or fresh air vents to cool your vehicle. Park in the shade if you can to keep your car
cooler and lessen the pollution and waste that occurs when gasoline evaporates from the engine and gas
tank.
Keep your car in shape.
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Tune up.
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by
an average of 4 percent. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can
improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent.
Check and replace air filters regularly.
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car's air
filter also keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine.
Keep tires properly inflated.
Measure your tire pressure when tires are cold and remember to check for foreign objects, cuts, cracks or
other signs of wear. Consult your owner’s manual for the recommended tire pressure, or have a
professional measure the pressure for you. You can improve your gas mileage by about 3.3 percent by
keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure; under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage significantly.
Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. Also, rotate your tires regularly for optimum performance.
The correct tire pressure is listed on the door to the glove compartment or on the driver's-side door pillar.
For more tips to improve your gas mileage, see http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/factors.shtml.
Use the recommended grade of motor oil.
You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of
motor oil. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be
sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
Choose a more efficient vehicle.
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Don’t buy more than you need.
Four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive engine size, vehicle weight and tire size influence the amount of fuel
your vehicle uses. Options such as power windows and power seats also add weight to cars, making
engines work harder and burn more fuel. Buy the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your everyday
needs. Check fuel consumption information for nearly all cars at www.fueleconomy.gov.
Consider an alternative vehicle.
For Anyone Living in a House or an Apartment…
Power basics.
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Consumer Power
Look for the ENERGY STAR rating on appliances, choose high efficiency models, and make sure they are
properly installed. Changing certain use patterns can make a significant difference: running washing
machines on cold water rather than warm, running dishwashers only on a full load, hang-drying clothes when
possible, etc. all make a big difference in energy waste. Purchasing recycled products supports the recycling
industry while reducing waste. Choose products with the least amount of packaging – this saves money and
reduces waste.
o GREEN power
Green Power is electricity generated from renewable energy sources, mainly wind and solar energy. Green
power lowers greenhouse gas emissions since it does not rely on the heavily polluting coal power plants and
helps increase clean energy supply. Solar panels can be added to homes or green energy can be purchased,
either directly or in the form of credits. Some states offer incentives for purchasing green energy, see:
http://www.dsireusa.org/
Another few good sources of information on GREEN power purchasing:
DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at
http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/buying
and for organizations, the EPA’s Green Power Partnership at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower
o Standby power
Electronics on standby or idle still use energy. Reduce your emissions by choosing ‘power save’ options, turn
off monitors, unplug laptop power cords, and turn off lights, printers and other equipment when not in use.
Laptops generally utilize less energy than desktop computers. Search for the energy rating on computers
when making your purchasing decision. Further, by using a power strip, which can be switched off when out
of the house, you can eliminate “phantom” energy use by televisions, computers and other appliances when
they are off.
Heating your space.
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Keep your furnace well maintained
Keep your furnace well maintained and change or clean furnace filters every couple of months. Dirty air
filters block airflow and can damage the heat exchanger.
Look for the ENERGY STAR® label
Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on windows and sliding glass doors. These energy-efficient products
reduce energy costs and create less condensation.
Lower your thermostat
Your home probably uses at least half the total energy of your household. For an average single-family
home with electric heat, that means almost $800 per year at current rates. Lowering the thermostat at
night and when you are away during the day provides optimal savings. In the winter, by turning down your
central heating thermostat one degree, fuel consumption is cut by as much as 10%.
Install one of today’s energy efficient furnaces
It can save you up to 25% of your home heating costs each year, reduce your greenhouse gas emissions
and, depending on the efficiency of your old furnace, pay you back for its higher initial cost in about seven
years.
Install storm windows
The amount of energy that escapes through American windows every winter is the equivalent of all the oil
that flows through the Alaska pipeline each year. If your current windows are single-glazed, storm
windows will add an extra layer of protection. Windows can account for up to 25% of total house heat
loss.
Seal and insulate warm air-ducts
Aluminum duct tape can easily seal leaks and reduce duct air leakage by up to 25%. Insulation can also
reduce heat loss from unheated areas, such as the basement or crawl space.
Upgrade your insulation
Upgrade insulation in walls, the basement and attic. Insulating your basement walls and attic can reduce
your energy bill by as much as 30%.
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Use caulking and weather-stripping to seal air leaks
Get a professional to help you reduce your home heating needs by up to 20% by getting rid of drafts and
leaks around windows, doors, baseboards and attic hatches. At the same time, seal electrical outlets and
switches on outside walls with foam gaskets; on inside walls, use childproof plugs or combination cover
plates.
Install a ceiling fan
Change the direction of the fan to push warm air down in the winter. This especially benefits houses with
electric baseboards or high cathedral ceilings. If you need a fan with lights, choose one with compact
fluorescent lights to further reduce electricity use and heat buildup in summer.
Keep blinds, curtains and windows closed during the day in summer
This helps keep your home cooler and reduces cooling costs.
Keep window curtains open during the day in winter
This allows passive solar energy into your home and can save you up to 5% on home heating. Close the
curtains in the evening to retain heat.
Remove window air conditioners for the winter
If fixed in place, seal them with caulking or tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket to avoid
heat loss.
Replace exterior doors
Replace exterior doors in poor repair with insulated core doors or add storm doors.
Shut off the pilot light
Shut off the pilot light of your natural gas fireplace or wall heater during summer months. If you don’t
know how to relight the pilot light, ask your heating contractor to show you during your next servicing.
Cooling your space.
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Clean the air conditioner’s filter
Clean the air filter every month, as a dirty one reduces airflow and may damage the unit. Clean filters
enable the unit to cool down quickly and use less energy. If you have a central air conditioner, regularly
clean a re-usable filter or change the filter at the beginning of the cooling season.
Set your air conditioner to 78°F
Set your air conditioner lower and raise it when you go out, or set your programmable thermostat to do
this. For each degree set below 78°F, you use about 3% more energy. This recommended setting will
give you the most comfort at the least cost.
Turn off all sources of heat
Turn off all sources of heat, such as lights, appliances and electrical equipment, when not in use. In
summer, if you can, do your baking, washing, drying and ironing early in the morning or in the evening.
Use fans
About one-sixth of all the electricity generated in the US is used to air condition buildings. In the summer,
try to use fans to circulate air instead of solely relying on air conditioning. Use fans as your first line of
defense against summer heat—they are far less costly to operate than air conditioning. Some fans use up
to 98 percent less than conventional air conditioning equipment.
Your Home Office.
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Ensure your computer system is set up to use its energy-saver option
Machines are often shipped with this feature disabled. If you buy an ENERGY STAR®-qualified
computer, the power-saving feature is automatically set.
Buy a monitor that is the right size for your needs
Generally, the larger the monitor, the more energy it consumes, with the exception of an LCD monitor.
Turn off lights and equipment when a work area isn’t being used
Even better, if you don’t need them, don’t turn the lights on in the first place. Natural light saves energy
and is easier on your eyes.
Use as little paper as possible
Printing, photocopying and faxing use energy. Use e-mail more often – it is quicker, less expensive and
healthier for the environment — if the emails aren’t printed out. Also use recycled paper whenever
possible.
If you are buying a laser printer, look for energy-saver features
Units that automatically switch to standby when not in use reduce electricity consumption by more than
65%.
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Look on the box for ENERGY STAR®-qualified equipment
ENERGY STAR ® equipment will keep your home energy use, emissions and costs down.
In the Kitchen.
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Increase the efficiency of your refrigerator and freezer
Keep them away from heat sources (direct sunlight, furnace vents and radiators) and appliances (oven,
stove and dishwasher) that can make them work harder to stay cool. At the same time, check the
temperature settings. Keep your refrigerator temperature between 35 – 38°F and the freezer
compartment at 0°F for maximum efficiency and safety.
Look for an ENERGY STAR®-qualified refrigerator
Look for an ENERGY STAR®-qualified refrigerator if you’re in the market for a new one. For example, a
2004 model uses less than half the electricity of a unit built 10 years ago.
Maintain your refrigerator and freezer for better energy use
Clean the refrigerator heating coils regularly. When you clean them, check the condition of the coils and
components at the back of the unit. Keep the rubber door seals clean and tight. They should hold a piece
of paper snugly. If the paper slips out easily, replace the seal.
Select the dishwasher’s no-heat or air-drying cycle
Turn off the electric element that heats the interior of the unit and causes the water to evaporate. It is
easy to do and will save on your electricity bill. Scrape off your dishes instead of rinsing them and run the
dishwasher only when it is full.
Unplug that second refrigerator or freezer
This tip is particularly important if they are older, less-efficient models.
In the Laundry Room.
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Avoid over-drying clothes
Clothes should dry in 40 to 60 minutes. Better yet, hang clothes outdoors to dry when the weather
permits. If you are buying a new dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor. It will turn off automatically
when clothes are dry.
Rinse in cold water and wash in warm
Electric washers and dryers can consume as much as 25 percent of the electricity used at home,
including hot water for the wash. Clothes rinsed in cold water come out as clean as those rinsed in warm
water. Washing in warm rather than hot water uses 50 percent less energy, and your clothes will come
out just as well-rinsed and, depending on the fabric, less wrinkled.
Lighting.
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Install outdoor automatic timers
You won’t have to remember to turn your outdoor lights on in the evening and off during the day.
Installing a timer can cut your outdoor lighting energy use by up to half. Or use motion detectors that
switch on automatically when people move close to them and switch off after a few minutes.
Use more-efficient light bulbs
Replace five of the most used standard bulbs in your home with ENERGY STAR®-qualified compact
fluorescent light bulbs and save on your electric bill. If every household in the U.S. took this one simple
action it would prevent more than 1 trillion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. This also saves money
on energy bills. See http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/ for a consumer’s guide to energy efficiency
and renewable energy.
Outside maintenance.
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Avoid using chemical pesticides or fertilizers
Avoid using pesticides or fertilizers on your lawn and garden. Chemical fertilizers are a source of nitrous
oxide, a greenhouse gas. Try using organic products – they are better for our environment and healthier
for your lawn and your family.
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Capture rainwater for your garden
The water you use for your lawn doesn’t have to come from a tap. A cistern or a rain barrel will capture
and store rainwater for irrigation. Make sure your barrel is covered with a tight-fitting lid or screen to keep
disease-carrying mosquitoes from breeding there.
Limit your use of gas-powered lawn mowers
Using a typical gas-powered mower uses gas and produces greenhouse gas emissions. Gas mowers
also produce lots of particulate matter, a significant air quality concern in Puget Sound, over the course of
a year—as much as an average car driven from Seattle to Phoenix. Using a push mower consumes no
fossil fuels and emits no greenhouse gases. If you do have a power mower, use a mulching mower,
which will reduce grass clippings.
Plant trees
A well-placed line of evergreens on the north side of your home can shelter it against cold winds and
reduce your home’s demand for heat. Similarly, shade trees on the south side can keep your home cooler
in summer and reduce the need for air conditioning by shading your home’s windows and walls.
Practice “grass cycling”
Leave grass clippings on your lawn where they quickly break down and add needed nutrients to your
lawn—or put them out with your yard waste for collection. Every year we throw away 24 million tons of
leaves and grass. Leaves alone account for 75% of our solid waste in the fall. Mowing over those leaves
can be simple protection for plants in the winter and can nourish the soil. Best of all – it recycles itself!
Composting food waste along with yard waste reduces waste sent to landfills and is fertilizer for the
garden. It has also been shown that the energy savings of planting shade trees around a house are
significant.
Water your garden or lawn early
Water your garden or lawn early in the morning to reduce losses due to evaporation. More than half of the
water applied to lawns and gardens can be lost due to evaporation or run-off because of over-watering.
See http://www.epa.gov/greenscapes/ to learn more about environmentally friendly gardening.
Waste and Recycling. (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
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Reduce Less waste produced and disposed reduces methane emissions and increases forest carbon
sequestration. If just 25% of U.S. families used 10 fewer plastic bags a month, we would save over 2.5
BILLION bags a year. Plastics require between 100 to 400 years to break down at the landfill. Paper
products make up the largest part (approximately 40 percent) of our trash. Even reducing the margins of
documents and double-sided printing can help the environment.
Compost your organic kitchen waste
You can compost fruits, vegetables, tea bags and coffee grounds, as well as leaf and yard waste.
Compost makes valuable fertilizer and reduces the amount of waste in landfills. You can also place your
kitchen waste in your yard waste bin for collection.
Pay attention to goods and packaging
Evaluate your purchases and consider how they contribute to your household waste. Buy more durable
goods and re-usable products. And ask for products with less packaging. And check out EcoDeals. For
example, use products in containers that can be recycled and items that can be repaired or reused. Be
creative – reuse yogurt containers to store food or pens. Refill ink cartridges, use tupperware containers,
buy refillable pens & pencils, and bring a sturdy water bottle instead of purchasing a new plastic one each
day. Donate used items including cell phones or trade unwanted items online at sites like
www.craigslist.com
Recycle all recyclable materials
Find out what materials can be recycled and challenge your household to make sure those materials
don’t get thrown in the garbage. Recycling steel and tin cans saves between 60 to 74% of the energy
used to produce them from raw materials. Aluminum can be recycled using less than 5% of the energy
used to make the original product. Glass is estimated to take almost 1 million years to break down in a
landfill. Producing glass from virgin materials requires 30 % more energy than producing it from crushed,
used glass. Go to http://www.earth911.org to locate the nearest recycling center or where to drop off
various recyclables.
Water Heating and Use.
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Avoid running the tap
Municipal water systems use lots of energy to purify and distribute water. Saving water, especially hot
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water, can lower the energy consumption. Avoid running the tap while shaving, brushing your teeth or
doing dishes. Partially fill the sink with water and stop about 80% of that clean water from going down the
drain – along with your money. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth saves roughly 8 gallons of
water per year – so turn off the faucet when not in use! Don’t use a toilet as a waste basket for toiletry
items – each flush is a waste. And fix leaky faucets and toilets. According to the US EPA, a leaky toilet
can waste 200 gallons of water every day. See http://www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/water/ for more
on conserving water.
Go for a high-efficiency water heater
High-efficiency water heaters heat water only when you need it, rather than storing hot water in a tank.
You’ll notice the savings on your electricity bill.
Install a low-flow showerhead
Make sure you have a low-flow showerhead and faucet installed—they can save you hundreds of dollars
a year in electricity and water costs. You can request a free one from the site listed above.
Insulate water pipes
Insulate water pipes to reduce heat loss. Insulate the first six feet of the hot- and cold-water pipes from
the water heater. A significant amount of heat travels through these pipes and can be lost, particularly
through unheated areas such as basements and crawl spaces. For safety, don’t place any pipe insulation
within 6 inches of the exhaust vent at the top of standard natural gas/propane or oil-fired water heaters,
and never insulate plastic pipes. If you have an electric water heater, insulate the tank for further energy
savings.
Take a quick shower
Take a quick shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower, for instance, uses up to 50% less hot water
than a bath.
Turn off your water heater when you go on vacation
It wastes energy and money to keep water hot when it isn’t needed—and it doesn’t take long to heat up
when you return.
A Helpful Guide: Green Maps
The Green Map System (GMS) is a locally adaptable, globally shared framework for environmental mapmaking. It invites
design teams of all ages and backgrounds to illuminate the connections between natural and human environments by
mapping their local urban or rural community. Using GMS's shared visual language -- a collaboratively designed set of
Icons representing the different kinds of green sites and cultural resources -- Mapmakers are independently producing
unique, regionally flavored images that fulfill local needs, yet are globally connected.
The resulting Green Maps identify, promote and link eco and cultural resources. Merging the ancient art of map making
with new media tools, each of these maps creates a fresh perspective that helps residents discover and get involved in
their community's environment, and helps guide tourists (even virtual ones) to special places and successful green
initiatives they can replicate back home.
The GMS network is active worldwide. Every Green Map is the result of a locally-driven process, but one that is influenced
by other Mapmakers' experiences. This website is the gathering point for these stories, as well as the place to find out
who is involved and how they are making Green Maps. All Green Maps, from the first to the newest, are linked here.
Together, they form a powerful impression of how communities around the world are making progress toward ecological
and cultural sustainability.
Source: http://www.greenmap.org/home/home.html
Green Maps are cool sources of such ecological solutions pertaining to each individual as recycling sites, solar energy
sites, composting sites, thrift shops, bike paths, nature trails, bird watching sites, organic food stores, and many other cool
places to visit and rely on for healthy clean fun. This website may be used by local student chapters to order paper copies
of Green Maps of their cities and resell them on campus (they are only $5) or if there are no maps for their city made yet,
a fundraiser may be organized to sponsor the production of Green Map for their location.
See the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website for a “Personal Emissions Calculator” to estimate your own greenhouse
gas emissions and identify how much your actions can change your impact on climate change.
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/calculator/ind_calculator.html