Conservation
SGC Launches Plan To Decrease Carbon Footprint 
by Beverly Baird

In the past few months, your Conservation Committee has kept SGC members informed on the impact that global warming has had on our climate, water supply, weather pattern changes, and food chain.  Our new goal is to stimulate actions to reduce our collective carbon footprint as a club and to document the simple “green life” choices that we’re making
in our lifestyles as a group.

What is our carbon footprint?  Everything we do produces carbon dioxide as a waste product.  The amount produced each year is calculated in tons per family and is called their carbon footprint.  There are seven billion tons of CO2 produced annually in the U.S., but the average family can reduce their CO2 emissions by 60% by making simple changes in their lifestyle each day.  You do not have to sit in the dark or freeze in your house in order to have an impact on the environment and the future of the planet.

There are 100 million families in the U.S.  If each family changed only one incandescent light to a compact fluorescent bulb, it would be the equivalent of taking one million cars off the road.  The newer bulbs give off more light; so if you hated the earlier ones, give them a try again.  Remember to turn out lights when you leave a room, and close the fridge when you’re done.  Little steps have an amazing impact.  

Did you know that power used by appliances for heating, cleaning, and living comfortably gives off 50 tons of CO2 per family each year?  By unplugging television sets, stereos, etc., when not in use, each family will save 2 tons of CO2 emissions per year because turned off appliances continue to consume 40% of their normal energy use.

Look for the energy saver button on your dishwasher.  Mine is 15 years old and has one, so even if you’re not thinking of replacing an appliance, you can still save energy with your old machine.  If you are thinking of purchasing a new fridge, washer or dryer, look for the “Energy Star” tag.  These appliances will pay for themselves in 2 to 3 years and you’ll be saving tremendously on your energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.

Changing to more fuel-efficient cars, car-pooling, or using public transportation when available can save 8 tons of C02 emissions per family annually.  Planning your errands and not making unnecessary trips can also save substantially on both fuel consumption and C02 emissions.

By decreasing your thermostat 3 degrees in winter and raising it 1 degree in summer your family can save one half ton of C02 production per year.  Closing drapes, checking for air leaks around doors and windows, or having a free energy loss assessment done by your local power company or fuel provider can make the lowered temperature feel better . 

Much more information on energy saving and carbon dioxide ideas will follow at our regular meetings. A survey will also be available soon, so that we can accurately document our contribution to the “green life.”   Remember, think globally and act locally.

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Do you know what PETE stands for? 
This is often found next to the triangle with the recycle number.

  PETE stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a type of consumer plastic commonly used in soft drinks,  juice, and cough syrup containers, and microwave trays.  It is a #1 plastic.