Energy Star Fact Sheet

The Environmental Protection Agency is launching a year-long "Change the World: Start with Energy Star" campaign. The EPA is asking consumers to pledge to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change. These steps include replacing at least one light with an energy-efficient compact fluorescent light and choosing Energy Star-rated products when replacing appliances. Individuals can take the pledge online at: www.energystar.gov/changetheworld.To celebrate the launch of the campaign ENERGY STAR sent over some facts to help you reduce your footprint:

• If every American home replaced just one light with an ENERGY STAR, we would prevent 9.3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year. (6 billion kWh, $642 million, 773,000 cars)

• If every American household added insulation to their attic, we would prevent 24 billion lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions per year. (12.6 billion kWh, $1.8 billion, 2 million cars)

• If every American household serviced their heating and cooling systems, inspected their ducts for leaks and programmed their thermostat to save energy while they’re away or asleep, we would prevent 169 billion lbs of greenhouse gas emissions per year. (78 billion kWh, $14 billion, 14 million cars)

• If each desktop and monitor in U.S. homes was to sleep when not in use, we would prevent more than 16 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year (10.7 billion kWh, $1.1 billion, 1.4 million cars)

• If each TV, DVD, and home theatre system purchased in the U.S. this year was ENERGY STAR qualified, we would prevent more than 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year (2.5 billion kWh, $269 million, 324,000 cars)

• If every home office product purchased in the US this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, we would prevent 2.9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year (1.8 billion kWh, $200 million, 240,000 cars).

• If every refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer purchased in the US this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, we would prevent 4.5 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year (2.6 billion kWh, $663 million, 380,000 cars)

• If every decorative light string purchased in the US this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, we would prevent 4 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year. (2.6 billion kWh, $ 277 million, 330,000 cars)

• If every American household took part in the pledge, we would save more than 110 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, more than $18 billion in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 18 million cars.
  

Courtsey of Energy Star

Five Earth Saving Actions You Can Take Right NOW

Cleaning up the environment does not have to be complicated.  One does not need a grand plan to make a difference.  Just look for what you can do right now; no community meetings to attend, no organizations to join, no fancy science to understand.  Just taking these five action steps will help save the planet.

1.  Pick Up The Poop 

Stormwater runoff pollution is created mainly by toxins from animal feces.  While the birds do their part, canine feces comprises the largest percentage of these.  So pick up the poop using biodegradable bags only. 

2.  Recycle ALL Plastic And Glass 

If your community does not have recycle pick up, find the local recycle center.  Take ALL your hard plastic items and glass there for recycle.  The numbers on the bottom of the bottles are resin numbers to help the recycle folks separate the plastic, not indicators of whether or not they should be recycled.  ALL hard plastic and glass can be recycled.

3.  Recycle Plastic Bags

Most supermarkets have bins for the collection of plastic bags, making this a simple task.  And it keeps our beaches clean too.

4.  Use Organic Fertilizers And Pesticides

Everything we put on the ground remains in the environment for a long time.  Chemicals we use enter our food supply to poison us as well as the insects!  Today, alternatives are readily available and effective.

5.  Pick Up The Trash And Improve Your Health

On your street, in your neighborhood, at the beach and in parking lots you will find opportunities to help clean up your community daily.  Bending over to pick up trash, bottles and discarded cigarette butts is great exercise too!