Doing Just Two Things Is Enough to Prevent Climate Change

For Blog Action Day 2009, Treehugger.com wrote that "If We All Just Do Two Things We Can Prevent Climate Change" -- and what are those two amazing things?

"1) Sign Up For Green Power With Your Utility"

"2) Stop Eating Meat"

Sounds familiar to me.

- We're on green power from BullfrogPower since January 2007
- We've been vegetarian for the last 20 years.

Both changes have been easier than many people think. Among many other benefits, vegetarianism saves you money (beans and whole grains are cheap - meat is expensive). Green power may cost more per kWh -- but if you conserve electricity throughout your house, you could cut your consumption in half, and pay the same in the end as you did for conventional power, with no major impact on your lifestyle.

But why stop there? We've done lots of other things too:

Transportation - driving as little and as efficiently as possible by:

- Walking - healthy, community-friendly and cheap!
- Biking - folding bikes, child bike seats and bike trailers work great, too!
- Taking a train - GO Transit or VIA Rail - train schedule permitting
- Working from home (telecommuting) - one of us does it each working day
- Driving very fuel-efficient conventional and hybrid cars - we buy the most fuel-efficient used cars that we can find - they also tend to be the most reliable and therefore cheapest to maintain

Home Energy

- Insulating our basement and crawl space
- Upgrading to very energy-efficient basement windows
- Using a programmable thermostat to save natural gas
- Installing super-efficient, dual-flush toilet - less water used = less energy wasted on pumping and treating it!
- (We're also looking into installing a solar water heater - stay tuned!)

Reuse & Recycling

- Bringing our own mugs/plates/utensils or asking for reusable ones
- Packing litter-free lunches for school
- Avoiding bottled water by filling up water bottles tap or fountain
- Using recycled paper in the office, kitchen, living room and bathroom
- Composting or using the municipal Green Bin program for kitchen scraps
- Recycling everything we can using the municipal Blue Bins
- Scrapping and recycling old cars (over 10-12 years old and not worth repairing) via Car Heaven
- Bringing old, unfixable electronic and computer equipment to a municipal recycling depot

Passing it On

- Educating our children on why we do all of this
- Writing this blog

And yes, we live a comfortable, happy life in a typical Canadian city. Self-preservation means moderation, not self-deprivation.

[Important Notice]

Power alarm over home electronics

"All told, between 5 and 10 per cent of electricity used in the average Canadian home is consumed by appliances and home electronics while the devices are on standby, Natural Resources Canada estimates. In some cases, the gadget actually needs to be unplugged to cut the power use.

"Ottawa now plans to force the industry to reduce the standby power needs of a wide range of appliances and home electronics – first issuing regulations by 2010 to meet California standards which are the toughest in the United States, and then regulating a one-watt standby mode in 2013.

"Power usage of electronics on standby currently ranges from five watts to 25.

"In its report yesterday, the International Energy Agency said the boom in electronics threatens to undermine efforts to reduce residential power demand and cut greenhouse gas emissions."

More at globeandmail.com: Power alarm over home electronics

[Important Notice]

$100B for Green Jobs in Obama Plan

While the Harper Conservative Government in Canada wastes time on partisan manoeuvres and even shuts down Parliament, the N.Y. Times reports that

President-elect Barack Obama promised Saturday to create the largest public works construction program since the inception of the interstate highway system a half century ago as he seeks to put together a plan to resuscitate the reeling economy.

[...]

Mr. Obama’s remarks showcased his ambition to expand the definition of traditional work programs for the middle class, like infrastructure projects to repair roads and bridges, to include new-era jobs in technology and so-called green jobs that reduce energy use and global warming emissions. “We need action — and action now,” Mr. Obama said in an address broadcast Saturday morning on radio and YouTube.

[...]

The green jobs would include various categories, including jobs dedicated to creating alternative fuels, windmills and solar panels; building energy efficient appliances, or installing fuel-efficient heating or cooling systems.

[...]

“We’ll measure progress by the reforms we make,” Mr. Obama said, “and the results we achieve by the jobs we create, by the energy we save, by whether America is more competitive in the world.”

The green jobs portion of the economic package could run as high as $100 billion over two years, according to an aide familiar with the discussions.

A blueprint for such spending can be found in a study financed by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts and the Center for American Progress, a Washington research organization founded by John D. Podesta, who is a co-chairman of Mr. Obama’s transition team.

Daniel J. Weiss, an environmental analyst at Mr. Podesta’s center, said Washington should invest more money in existing programs that create work while cutting energy use, like home weatherization programs that have been chronically underfinanced.

[Important Notice]

11 Realistic Ways You Can Help Reduce Global Warming - Part 2

My recent post was very Ontario-centric, so here are some links to information in the rest of Canada. If I've missed any good links, please let me know!

1. Change to accredited Green Power option

Pollution Probe has a listing of how to buy green power across Canada!

2. Install energy-efficient hot water system and 3. Install solar panels

The Canadian Solar Industries Association has a list of rebates/subsidies for solar thermal and solar electric installations by province/region.

On this site it mentions that if you happen to be a customer of Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro, you may even be eligible for a grant to install a solar hot water heater!

7. Check fuel efficiency of next car

Here's a listing of fuel-efficient cars in Canada, including the EnerGuide winners.

According to this article, Quebec, PEI, and BC also offer sales tax rebates on hybrid cars. Note, however, that you may not get the full amount of the rebate, depending on how you've purchased the car, and how much sales tax you paid.

BC: Here's a link to the rebate form (PDF)
Quebec: Link to more info
PEI: Here's a link to the rebate form (PDF)

8. Walk, cycle or take public transport

More information from the Sierra Club of Canada

10. Suggest a workplace audit

Some ideas from Green Learning

Tim Flannery's "11 Realistic Ways You Can Help Reduce Global Warming"

Here is a list of action items from Tim Flannery's web site (author of The Weather Makers). After some items, I've provided links to local (mostly Ontario) resources and information.

(Action = Impact)

1. Change to accredited Green Power option = Eliminate household emissions from electricity

It's easy to do this in Ontario:

Bullfrog Power
Green Tags Ontario
Oakville Hydro's Green Power program

More information is available at Electricity Choices

2. Install energy-efficient hot water system = Up to 30% reductions in household emissions

You can install a tankless (on-demand) gas system, or a solar (thermal) system, or both!

OZZ Corporation offers high-efficient tankless hot water heaters. You can buy or rent (according to their web site)
I've also noticed them for sale at the Home Depot.

Lots of places that sell solar systems are listed on the Electricity Choices web site.

BONUS: The Ontario government is offering residential consumers a full sales tax rebate on the purchase of solar energy systems and components up to November 26, 2007.

Another energy-saving idea: Install a heat-recovery unit on your drain to recover some of the energy wasted by showers, etc.

3. Install solar panels = Eliminate household emissions from electricity

While this is a great idea, it can be really expensive. (I wouldn't necessarily recommend doing this until you've made your household as efficient as possible first.) However, with the new offering from the Ontario government it has become somewhat more cost-effective. Some people in Toronto are trying to implement this in their neighborhood.

If you want to do this on your own, Electricity Choices has a list of suppliers.

4. Use energy-efficient whitegoods = Up to 50% reduction in household emissions from electricity

When replacing your old appliances, be sure to look for the Energy Star logo!

5. Use triple-A rated shower-head = Up to 12% reduction in household emissions

These are available at any hardware store. Here's some information from HydroOne.

6. Use energy-efficient light globes = Up to 10% reduction in household emissions

Again, these are available almost everywhere. The Ontario government send some coupons for $5 off on these earlier this year.

7. Check fuel efficiency of next car = Up to 70% reduction in transport emissions

Ontario offers up to $2000 rebate on the PST when you purchase a hybrid vehicle.

8. Walk, cycle or take public transport = Can reduce transport emissions

Taking the bus, train, or your bike can be lots of fun. We've started to take our weekly trip to the grocery store by bicycle (when the weather permits). It's fun, and we get some exercise!

9. Calculate carbon footprint = Can eliminate transport & household emissions

Some places online that you can do this:

Although the Government of Canada has taken down its climate change web site, their GHG calculator is still available (for now!). Visit while you can.

There is also CarbonFootprint.com, Al Gore's version, and one from the World Resources Institute.

There are many more out there if you Google 'carbon footprint'. Take your pick.

Of course, then you need to decide what to do with the information. For example, maybe you want to offset your emissions. Lots of choices there too. The David Suzuki Foundation has a list of vendors, as well as lots of info.

10. Suggest a workplace audit = Up to 30% reduction in emissions

This site is from Australia, but the ideas should work here too.

11. Write to a politician about climate change = Can change the world

OK - I've tried this, and I don't think I've changed Rona's mind yet. But maybe if we all join in? It can't hurt, anyway! See this post for contact information for your federal politicians.

And don't forget your provincial and municipal politicians - especially with municipal elections coming up soon. We emit GHGs at all levels of government!

Edited to addd: Check out this post for more links to information in other provinces.