solarkismet
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To add another layer to the discussion on implementing personal projects around the house, the dollars invested per carbon saved is important. An example of replacing the water heater to save CO2: - Switching from an electric water heater (if you are primarily in a coal electricity area) to a natural gas one saves carbon and requires no miracle technology in the course of normal replacement cycles - Adding a solar water heater if you have a natural gas water heater might not be as carbon beneficial as replacing an electric appliance and saving coal based electricity - Adding a solar water heater and switching to an electric back-up (I've seen it suggested by a solar installer) is still carbon beneficial but you're throwing some of the benefit out the window by changing the back-up source There's also relativity of the impacts: * Gasoline has about 20 lbs CO2/gallon * Electricity has varying amounts of carbon per kwh (depends on where you live) but let's say 125 lbs CO2 per 100 kWh * Natural gas has 12 lbs per therm So for an average American in a year: * 500 gallons of is 10,000 lbs CO2 * 10,000 kWh is 12,500 lbs CO2 * 200 therms is 2400 lbs CO2 Clearly there are regional and user specific differences, but offsetting natural gas should not be your primary target (exceptions being where coal is less predominant). Drive less and use less electricity as your focus.On Ask Umbra on offsetting work trips posted 3 weeks, 5 days ago 3 ResponsesClick here to view comment in original post
I agree on the cap and trade question. Once a cap is put in place, any reduction I make either isn't monetized (because I'm too small and there aren't methods for capturing small personal changes without significant transaction costs) or if it can be monetized, perhaps I'm actually making the price of reductions lower because I'm adding to the reduction supply. The cap is the cap - more wind turbines, less driving or whatever, doesn't necessarily reduce it faster.On No Impact Man talks about making an impact posted 1 month, 1 week ago 3 ResponsesClick here to view comment in original post
I'm not sure "nasty" is synonomous with receptivity to your thoughts; more likely the delete key.
On Coal coloring book teaches kids all about dirty energy posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago 8 ResponsesClick here to view comment in original post
The State of Illinois sponsors a coal calendar and essay contest for kids every year:
http://www.commerce.state.il.us/dceo/Bureaus/Coal/Education/coal+calendar+contest.htm
Winning Posters:
Winning Essays:
On Coal coloring book teaches kids all about dirty energy posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago 8 ResponsesClick here to view comment in original post
Opt out of credit card offers permanently:
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/opt_form.cgi
I email customer service of every single piece of junk mail or catalog I get when I move to a new home. It works...slowly.
On 365 days of junk mail posted 3 months, 1 week ago 11 Responses