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By Lori Johnson (taken from the Internet)
Surveys show most Americans recognize the environmental crisis and they're concerned about global warming. But to actually do something about it? Excuses abound.
Going green is a lot like losing weight. Many of us talk about doing it but when it comes right down to it we come up with myriad excuses.
Some people think greening their home means installing "fancy-schmancy" things like solar panels, but it's simpler than that, says Jenny Powers, spokeswoman for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
For example, compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs cost more upfront (an estimated $2 to $15, for specialty bulbs), but they last 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs, she notes. CFL bulbs use 75 percent less energy, resulting in savings of $30 or more in electricity costs during the life of each bulb, according to data from the federal government's Energy Star program.
"So you'll be paying a lot less on your energy bill, and over time you'll more than make up for your cost," Powers says.
Seeing the potential savings in the long run is a way to get beyond this excuse, says Edwin Stafford, associate professor of marketing at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, who studies green marketing.
Powers says you can look for products with the Energy Star seal because they are more energy-efficient and will result in savings on your electric bill.
"It doesn't mean switching to solar power or putting up a wind turbine in your yard," she says. "Those are great things to do, but it's not necessary."
Thomas Kostigen, co-author of "The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time," notes that
even turning down the thermostat a degree lower for the heat and a degree higher for air conditioning can save approximately
$100 a year on your utility bill.
Just look at the statistics. Americans saved enough energy in 2006 to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars, according to Energy Star data. These
efforts also saved $14 billion on their utility bills.
It may be tough to understand what it means when statistics refer to taking 25 million cars off the road, Kostigen1 says. But he advises looking at it like this: You're saving energy and also helping save the planet because you're not
emitting as much carbon, which relates to car pollution.
"There are very simple things we can do that seriously add up to a great, great impact,"
Kostigen says.
Note 1 Thomas Kostigen, co-author of "The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time."
Stay tuned next month!.
The Steering Committee has committed to making VGCC greener and invites you to be green too. Here are some local recycling sites:
For more information see the websites consulted for this list: Tree Hugger and Consumer Reports