7 easy steps to reduce your carbon emissions 13

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1. 

   earthaidben Posted 1:47 am
   05 Nov 2007

   More Grist-inspired Easy StepsI had occasion to meet and greet Grist and company when y'all traveled to DC back in June. It was a great crowd to mingle amongst at the Grist even in Adams Morgan, and it helped me spark my new social venture project shortly thereafter: the Earth Aid Kit. ( http://www.earthaidkit.com )
   The Earth Aid Kit is meant to serve as an easy way for folks to follow-up on precisely the sort of simple steps that Chip advocated.
   Our website which allows you to browse home energy efficiency products - and estimates both your energy and emissions savings right as you shop. The site also rewards you for doing more to fight global warming - if you buy products from at least four different categories of energy efficiency, it automatically drops your prices.
   Grist readers in DC have been exceptionally helpful in developing this idea, and I'd be very grateful for your feedback on our site and on our project. You can visit our Kit-building site at www.earthaidkit.com or our company site at www.earthaidenterprises.com .
   Thanks!
   Ben

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2. 

   sunflower Posted 1:56 am
   05 Nov 2007

   Twisted cute lightbulbs - Chip of the today -

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3. 

   PolluteLessDotCom Posted 2:57 am
   05 Nov 2007

   DisappointingWhile I have not seen the clip, I am referring to the printed 7 steps.
   I am disappointed. So much more could be done that would actually make a noticeable difference. Unplugging devices that consume power is on thing - rethinking the way these devices are made and are expected to work is another. Replacing your incandescent bulbs with CFLs is enough? Did Grist really jump on the "A few Easy steps to save the planet" band wagon? There are options that are not being pursued. Too inconvenient? Not easy enough? Will people not listen if you tell them they are responsible for the mess? Are we that mature?
   Easy to do actions will make little difference in a country full of lazy, convenient, comfort-seeking, energy-hungry people. Imagine our planet where everyone does what North Americans or even Europeans do in regard to energy use and comfortable living. I do not think it is possible without a DRAMATIC shift in thinking, attitudes, and expectations.
   Karsten
   
   http://www.polluteless.com

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4. 

   David Roberts Posted 3:24 am
   05 Nov 2007

   Yeah, Karsten,We should have told the Today Show audience how "lazy, convenient, comfort-seeking, [and] energy-hungry" they are! That's some savvy strategy. I can't believe we didn't think of that.
   
   grist.org

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5. 

   Icelander Posted 6:00 am
   05 Nov 2007

   IronyThe post-video commercial on my video was for the full-size Toyota Tundra, and was playing up how much more powerful it was than other trucks in its class.
   If that's not ironic, I don't know what is.

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6. 

   sustainablesteve Posted 8:59 am
   05 Nov 2007

   Disappointing?David, since you're a staff writer for Grist I'd have hoped for a more considered response to Karsten than your sarcastic reply.
   Karsten made some valid points, and didn't suggest using the TV show to tell people how lazy and spoiled they are. While many of the seven suggestions are worthwhile they are chipping away at the problem and we do need to change our mindset.
   The challenge isn't that Karsten didn't agree that what you are doing is worthwhile - the challenge is how do we change the mindset of people who build McMansions - lit with CFLs even - and drive full size Toyota Tundras and are too lazy or greedy/spoiled to want to make the big changes.
   If everyone in the USA changed to driving a Toyota Prius we'll still run out of oil, just a little later than expected. How do we reopen the debate about public transport? Transit-Oriented Development? Building smaller houses? etc, etc.
   While we are doing that there's still need to do all the little things, but on their own they are just prolonging the day of reckoning.
   Steve

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7. 

   David Roberts Posted 9:44 am
   05 Nov 2007

   Steve,OK, I rescind my snark. I'm open to hearing any and all advice about how to:
   
   
   offer tips to individuals about what they can do to get greener;
   
   include in those tips that individuals should sell their cars, move to smaller houses in dense urban neighborhoods, take up a vegan diet, radically reduce their energy consumption, accept responsibility for a catastrophic global problem, and give up the desire for comfort and convenience; and
   
   do so in such a way as to attract the attention of Today Show producers.
   
   
   Nobody at Grist has figured out how to square that circle, but I'm open to the idea that that's just because we've sold out.
   
   grist.org

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8. 

   sustainablesteve Posted 11:27 am
   05 Nov 2007

   SuggestionsPick five major problems that need addressing, such as: recycling, energy use, transportation, water, food. Then for each category give the public (say) 10 tips to make a small but immediate impact. For example switching to CFLs, more efficient appliances (with links to said models), etc. These are generally easy and cheap (even if one CFL at a time).
   The public is not entirely lazy but when you're working two jobs, trying to raise a family, pay your taxes, having the time and resources to locate and research energy efficient appliances is difficult. And in many cases the people who's behavior you need to change the most (working to middle class) may not have the money to afford to buy an appliance that pays off over a long time.
   So here's where you can make a difference:
   Many people do not have time to make decisions. Create a web site that for each appliance type lists say three models that are the most energy-efficient in their class. Perhaps they are in three price brackets - basic to expensive. Let people who want to buy one do so with one-click (a la Amazon). Cash in on people's 'laziness'. Buying online with scheduled delivery is easier than trekking around multiple stores to find what you want. Have any mail in rebates on the website for easy access.
   Enlist local volunteers who will install the ordered appliance in many cases (multi family/low income housing) for a low fee (that funds their time/website) and collect the old appliance for a mercy killing. Have manufacturers buy back old appliances?
   Create trade-in programs where lower-income families can trade in old, inefficient appliances for more energy-efficient ones. Garner support from manufacturers (don't they have old models to get rid of?), government agencies, grant money, utilities.
   OPALCO my local utility gives you $50 back after purchasing an $800+ energy-efficient water heater. That's not going to persuade anyone, it's just jam to those who are going to ditch the old appliance anyway. When I had a home in San Diego the electric utility gave me $200 off a new front loading washer and the water utility gave me a $250 rebate. The washer ended up costing me only $200 - less than a conventional one with no rebates.
   Lastly sign up local volunteers to lobby their elected officials on the five categories. We've presented a global warming ordinance to our local county that's winding its way through revisions. It specifies that the county will make a declaration about global climate change then implement many small but cumulatively effective measures: purchasing hybrid vehicles where possible, or vehicles that get at least 35 MPG or better, mandating that all county operations use only CFLs/LEDs where possible, adopting LEED for all new county buildings, measuring the carbon footprint of  the county operations and committing to a 10% reduction per annum.
   You could help by drafting templates for these' lobbying' activities and providing software tools to assist.
   Sustainably,
   Steve

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9. 

   amazingdrx Posted 1:29 pm
   05 Nov 2007

   Good work Chip!You don't want to scare mass delusional media.  Sneak in quietly with baby steps.  When you gain their trust you can introduce the more controversial stuff.
   
   http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

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10. 

    Grant Ed Posted 2:00 pm
    05 Nov 2007

    Steps small and largeCongrats on the Today show appearances, you guys are doing well in getting the message out. Regarding the negative comments on the tepid nature of that message, I guess it depends on whether you want a revolution or think there's still time for evolution.
    Given the general tv audience has a hefty lack of a sense of impending danger, I think it's entirely appropriate for Grist just try to get a foot in the door rather than try to kick it in.
    Most people will not go vegan after hearing about the statistics on meat industry pollution. Trying one day of meat-free living a week however is a lot easier to accept and may just show them that the sacrifice is not nearly as hard as they had imagined.

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11. 

    jdrummond Posted 8:52 pm
    05 Nov 2007

    More SuggestionsThough I think that the piece that you did with the Today Show is a great start.  I think that other readers are correct in making suggestions for giving even the "Today Show audience" more than just the standard top 7 things to do list.
    I have been speaking with mothers groups (probably a big portion of the Today Show audience) for the past 2-3 years about climate change in places in the US as diverse as Houston and Ann Arbor, and have found a few things that are commonly motivating to them on this issue.
    Speak to mothers as the leaders of their families through the "transition of climate change."  In essence, give them the responsibility for helping their families to adapt to climate change and/ or the mitigation strategies that are likely to come about if we are to contain climate change to levels that are less than catastropic.
    In other words, begin to give them adaptation tools for 2 scenarios that are somewhat overlapping...
    
    -- how their their lives/ families transition (adapt) now that we are already in an era of climate change
    
    -- and, how can they participate in and encourage global mitigation strategies to prevent the worst effects of climate change.
    I have found that mothers are most responsive to looking at the issue through 3 lenses:
    
    
    
    their children's future
    
    financial impacts
    
    how their family may have to "transition" or adapt
    
    
    To address #1, I speak with them about climate change that has already occured (inuit people in Alaska, Katrina, fires in CA, drought in southeast US), and that we as mothers must invest in our children's futures to prevent more intense and frequent climate change threats to our kids' health, food supply, water supply, financial prosperity, etc.
    
    To invest we do the following things:
    
    most important: be aware of what is going on in your community government, be aware of and write letters to influence the policy decisions of your Senators, Congressmen/women, and State gov't officials.
    
    Then, make changes at home to invest for your kids' and teach them to live in this new way so they will be prepared for the future: CFL's, less driving, hang laundry, lower thermostat, etc.
    To address #2
    
    "The price of gasoline/ heating oil/ electricity" will not be going down significantly any time soon unless there is a major recession... So, how will your family change when gas is $10 per gallon, or the price of electricity doubles: how will you begin to prepare for that now?"
    
    Examples: Start investing in efficiency/ renewables for your home, save for a hybrid car, support public transportation, support public investment in renewables.  Consider what investments you're willing to make and support in your communitiy/ nation and begin to save for them now (again you're investing in your kids' future way of life.)
    To address #3
    
    Again, emphasize mothers as "leaders" of their families into a new way of life that will either be forced upon us by worsening effects of climate change, or that we can gain some control over by putting gov't and personal policies and investments into place that will minimize the worst effects of climate change for us and our kids, and allow us to cushion the blow to our familiy finances and our kids' future prosperity and health.
    Those are my suggestions.  I'd be happy to talk with you more about this issue so that you can be as effective as possible when talking with mothers of young children on this issue.   Keep up the good work on Today!  And, keep working to make it better!
    For more info about my work check out:
    
    http://www.momslivinggreen.com
    Thanks,
    
    Jessica Drummond
    
    (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
    
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12. 

    PolluteLessDotCom Posted 6:04 am
    06 Nov 2007

    Step on toes rather than raise a warning fingerFirst of all, thanks Steve for your comments. Well said. No harm was done. Too bad strong or sarcastic words are said here and maybe not at the TODAY show.
    Secondly, why do we need to be so cautious? In my opinion pointing out what is going on is necessary just as much it is necessary to not let get people away with feeling that they are doing enough when they are not. The "green" label is in danger of becoming a fashion statement. Everybody will do it. No one will admit that they do not care. All will do not enough and will feel good about it. The train slows down for a moment and then it is off to the next new thing.
    It is true, getting a foot in the door is better than kicking it in. Nevertheless, you have to tell the people that what they are about to do is a BEGINNING and cannot be the end. A person addicted to a drug does not need to reduce the drug, they need to stop. Reducing the drug is a step in the right direction and needs to INCLUDE statements about the fact that the goal is to end the consumption.
    I do not know if this show was taped. I assume it is, since the networks are so scared of lawsuits. I can imagine though that stronger words could have been used than I fear were used. (I did not see the segment).
    We need a Howard Stern (or similar) for the environment. Not exactly the same, but along those lines: We need a person who can say things using plain English (or whatever language is required) to normal people and begin bending perceptions and breaking taboos. There is nothing wrong with some provocation. Some will turn away, or like I read somewhere else "run the other way with their wallet in their hand" but those are not the folks we can hope will bring change. The TODAY show is not about information at any high level. It is about entertainment. If you want people to LISTEN, you have to make it entertaining and interesting. CHANGE is another thing. That comes after people have listened for a while. Or when a generation grows up which does not find offense in being told  that certain behaviors are at other's expense because they know it is true.
    We need debate, we need to involve many more people, we need media attention even if it offends some people. We need to be heard by those who are listening to people who do not care as much as we do but are more entertaining.
    Why not do a comedy show that makes fun of those folks who do all the dumb and destructive stuff? Many would get a kick out of it. Sarcasm and cynicism is humor. If you do it in an honest, consistent, and constructive way you will find an audience. We are out there. Personally, I am tired of trying to please those who don't get it or do not want to change. I am ready for some disrespect to those who pee in my bathwater.
    Karsten
    
    http://www.polluteless.com

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13. 

    kinmitch Posted 1:31 am
    19 Nov 2007

    ThanksThanks, Steve and Karsten for the great info.
    
    I just visited this site for the first time, and am so glad to know there are people like you (and others) who are involved, and putting out ways that everyone can help - without thinking too much... (Steve: you are so right about people not having time to make decisions)!
    
    
    
    kinmitch

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