All of you have calculated your emissions and you have surely discovered the unexpectedly high impact of some of your behaviors (eating meat, flying to a sunny destination, etc.) on your total footprints.
Are there any behaviors that you are really willing to change or to improve for the sake of the environment? What challenges do you encounter or think you will encounter while trying to change these things? What help, support, and insights from others would make your life easier with these new behaviors?
Let's discuss these issues and make our pledges here!
Now It's Time for Action >
Electric Companies
All energy power plants have an impact on the environment, some more than others. And although some forms of energy are cleaner than other forms, even the electrical power lines have a footprint, and they also negatively affect the environment. (Source 1) In the times that you aren't unplugged, (because electricity is a "necessity", required at almost every turn in our current world) you should make sure that the energy company that you're using is using a better energy source for our environment. For example, a company that uses 100% wind as it's source is much better for our environment than a company like AEP, which uses 60% coal-fueled power plants to generate energy, and 23% natural gas. (Source 2) Both being fossil fuels, coal and natural gas are two of the worst sources, and they do some of the most damage to our environment.
Using less energy will positively impact our environment! Even the government sees that, and although there are big bills being passed such as the Clean Air Act, (Source 3) a simple action such as switching electric companies can make a di fference! Visit my fourth source to find a cleaner electric company! (Source 4)
SOURCES:
1) http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our- … ts-of.html
2)https://www.aep.com/about/MajorBusiness … eneration/
3) http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/?pag … nvironment
4) https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/locate-g … -suppliers
I agree with you, however, since the cost of sustainable energy is so high, it would be difficult to make this a reality, but, if we (as a country) wanted to, we could switch over to a smart grid*, and if do we this, it would not only help with the expenses of having a low carbon footprint for our energy source grid but also with the environmental problems. Because the Smart Grid is able to use more reliable sources and can make it possible to lower our amounts of carbon and other fossil fuels, it should be the obvious choice. And since fossil fuels are a limited resource, by making this choice to switch over now, it would help to make it less expensive in the future and help to prevent future amounts of greenhouse gas damage to our Earth.
*Read more about the Smart Grid here: http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/oepr … 281%29.pdf
That's a really good idea @rachaelusa!
I think another huge problem is that companies will charge more for a product that helps our environment. If they simply charged more for damaging companies and products, a lot of our problems would be solved. While the smart grid would be a huge change, I think it would be the best alternative!