Up to now, the undisclosed secret of this column is that it has been offering a selection of items taken from a master list, "155 WAYS YOU CAN COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE," which I put together a few years ago and offered photocopies at various fairs and occasions. It actually began with a much lower item total, but I managed to fill it out from various sources.
By taking from it a few items at a time to list here, I made it last. But the cupboard is, at last, bare! So, this set of tips will have to be the last. It was sort of fun while it lasted, but what lasts forever? Although, the climate change crisis is as good a candidate as I can think of because if we don’t get control of it somehow, civilization as we know it will fade out pretty fast. The little personal contributions each of us has been urged to make by small changes in our lifestyles and daily routines just aren’t enough. It is indeed an anticlimax to follow that up by saying: It is still worth the effort to do what you can, in the following ways.
Away from Home Longer than Overnight
1. Before leaving: Turn off your hot waterheater, set thermostat to stand-by temperature, make sure all electrical appliances are disconnected unless in power strips (off.) If you have a pool or hot tub, turn off its heater and reduce pump operating times.
2. When staying at hotels and motels: Use the same good energy practices you use at home. Don’t leave the lights and TV on when you leave the room. And do you really change your sheets and towels every day at home?
3. Fly less. An average domestic flight contributes close to 1,700 pounds of CO2 to the atmosphere. Vacation nearby. If possible, try to go by train or other forms of mass transportation. The most overlooked major source of greenhouse gases is jet planes, especially those that travel at the highest altitudes for the longest trips.
4. If flying is the only option, you can purchase carbon offsets for necessary travel through the Better World Travel Club.
5. For business travel, encourage your employer to create a travel-offset budget.
6. Use videoconferencing or conference calls instead of traveling to conferences. If possible, telecommute from home.
7. When renting a new car AND when buying, choose the most energy-efficient (best mileage,) which will usually be a hybrid electric. Look also for a plug-in hybrid and all-electric car—they may be available. If not, a modern (low-emissions) diesel, which may run on biodiesel.
Miscellaneous
8. Join a Town committee that is working on the problem, notably the Energy Committee and the Recycling Committee. Good company, doing interesting work.
9. Invest some of your savings in renewable energy companies and divest yourself of stock in fossil fuel companies and others with poor environmental records. You can get equally good return from those that are working to stave off global warming, not to stoke it. A skilled investment counselor can help you choose wisely, providing capital for kinds of businesses that are needed for a livable, sustainable world.
10. Solar control window films applied to existing glass in windows and doors is an effective method to reduce peak demand during hot months and conserve air conditioning energy. Visit the International Window Film Association (www.iwfa.com) for more information.
11. Make sure your hotwater tank is wrapped in a good insulating blanket (R-7 or R-11.)
12. Save water every way you can, especially during periods of drought. With global warming, the shortage of water (especially potable water) is a growing crisis. Using less is generally desirable, therefore; AND saving water saves energy, since almost everywhere on the Cape and Islands, clean water is brought to households by electric pumps.
13. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to water flower and vegetable gardens — less loss from evaporation.
14. Replace traditional grass lawns with drought-tolerant native plants, or even with vegetable and/or flower gardens.
15. Switch to ‘Green Electricity.’ The Cape Light Compact offers a choice between 50% and 100% electricity generated from renewable sources (wind, landfill gas, solar) at a small additional cost. It’s well worth it.
16. Furniture (except upholstered,) appliances (except dishwashers,) electric, plumbing & lighting fixtures, and surplus new building materials may be reused by donating them (see http://habitatcapecod.org/how-to-donate/ .)
17. To get serious about doing your part, check out just how much GHG your way of living contributes annually, then set yourself a goal and measure your progress. See hhttp://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/index.htm for tools to help you do it.