The Faces of Renewable Energy

The Union of Concerned Scientists has a new great website dedicated to showing the Faces of Renewable Energy.

Too often we talk about these highly technical and detailed issues of climate change and energy, and we forget that real people are actually behind these amazing feats of innovation.

Learn more about the people behind renewable energy.

The We Campaign for Climate Change

Tell President-elect Obama that you support bold action come January:
http://www.RepowerAmerica.org/page/s/obamapetition




Now's not the time for small steps or a narrow focus. It's time to go big. Our challenges are large and are deeply connected. As Al Gore has said, "We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet. Every bit of that's got to change." With a bold plan, we can make that change in 10 years. In fact, only a bold plan will cut through the special interest politics in Washington and inspire the nation.

Ten Most Polluting Vehicles

Forbes put together a list of the top 10 worst auto polluters, although the actual list is hard to find in the article (check out the slideshow). It's not a surprise that most of the top 10 are SUV's or diesel-powered vehicles. One good news is that new diesel vehicles starting with 2009 models will be more efficient, thanks to new auto technology. These cars also abide by new California emissions laws, which proves that car companies can respond to new emissions legislation if necessary.

Sick Salmon

Some of our most prized fish, Alaskan salmon, is under attack.

This attack is coming from a tiny parasite called Ich, which creates white spots on the fish and makes them turn bad after being caught. Up to a third of Alaskan salmon are being tossed out because of this disease.

The increase in what used to be a rare but natural occurrence is being blamed on global warming. With warmer waters and climates, the parasite has been allowed to thrive.

Salmon is a staple of some Native American diets, and a lot of my friends’, too (I’m a vegetarian). Learn more about this problem from the LA Times and NPR.

Eat Low Carbon Diet Calculator

Want to know how much your lunch is causing global warming?

Ok, me neither. But it's interesting to be able to calculate how much carbon was used to create your meal. Check out the Eat Low Carbon Diet Calculator to see how much impact you're having on the Earth, and what you can do to change that.

Take a Bite out of Climate Change

How is the food you eat everyday linked to global climate change? Every animal and plant grown for our consumption has an impact on the climate, but the impacts are not all the same.

The Small Planet Institute, founded by Frances Moore Lappe and Anna Lappe, has started a new website called Take a Bite out of Climate Change. It was created to help consumers understand their food's impact on climate change and what they can do about it. Questions like, "why are scientists worried about genetically modified foods" are answered. Since the website is in its early stages, there's only a few questions so far, but you can make a suggestion as to what you'd like to see answered. Check it out!

Earth Hour today!

Help us celebrate Earth Hour today by turning off your lights between 8-9 pm your local time.

This is a national movement to raise awareness of climate change and taking one small step towards helping the planet.

For more information, visit earthhour.org

See you in the dark!

Ten Personal Solutions to Global Warming

Let's continue this week with a few more life-changing lists!

The Union of Concerned Scientists has put out a list of "Ten Personal Solutions" to combat global warming in your own life.

The Green Guide's Top Ten gives great tips on little things you can do, like shortening your shower time, that will add up to a lot of CO2 being saved in the atmosphere.

If you know of any other lists, or have any of your own tips on how to fight global warming in your life, leave us a comment!

8 Ways to Save Energy at Home

Happy New Year!

For many of us, the new year brings resolutions of better living. We hope that you'll consider taking these easy steps in your life to save energy in your home.

1. Low-flow shower head. Switch to a low-flow shower head and you have just taken the most effective step in saving water in your home. This cheap fixture will pay for itself in a year in what you save in water bills.



2. Faucet water saver. This dandy fixture on your kitchen or bathroom faucet lets you adjust the amount of water when washing dishes or brushing your teeth. Those extra seconds will add up to a lot of gallons saved!



3. Compact fluorescent light bulbs. We all know we should switch from those energy-losing incandescent light bulbs. Each bulb will save over $30 in your electricity bill, and you'll be saving more than 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from contributing to global warming, too. More info



4. Renewable energy. I opted to get my home electricity from wind energy through my electric utility, costing me 2 cents extra per kilowatt hour. For reducing my climate change impact, I think that's worth it! To find out renewable energy options in your state, ask your utility company or visit http://www.green-e.org/gogreene.shtml.



5. Paperless bills. This is so easy: choose to get your bills online from your utilities, credit card company, bank, and phone company. Sixty-three billion checks are written each year in the United States: imagine how much paper we could save if we all paid bills online?



6. Offset travel. We've become a traveling society, and all those air miles are building up carbon in our air. Offsetting each trip with clean energy for someone else is easy, and doesn't cost as much as you'd think. There are a dozen different companies out there; ones that I like are terrapass.com and nativeenergy.org.


7. Wash laundry in cold water. About 90% of energy used to do laundry is to heat water. Your clothes will also last longer when washed in cold water.



8. Unplug it! More than 5% of a typical home's energy bill comes from electricity "leaked" from appliances that are plugged in and turned off. Unplugging electronics and things like cell phone charges when not in use will save on your electricity bill.

These small changes in your life will do a big part in helping to reduce global warming and save natural resources for future generations.

We at Conscious Consuming hope that this new year will bring health and happiness to you and your loved ones!

Myabodo.com

I love this climate change site that's recently come to my attention. It's from the UK and is an interactive way to look at how your living choices (bikes or SUV? line dry or tumble dry clothes?) makes an impact on the Earth's climate. There are also tons of links to more information in case you're curious about other choices you have to affect climate change.

But mostly, it's lots of fun to play around with all the different options and cute pictures. Be prepared to spend multiple hours on this site!

Myabodo.com

How I Offset My Summer Vacation

We're in the midst of summer traveling, and with all this talk about global warming, I'm feeling a little guilty about taking that plane ride to visit my parents in a couple weeks. But alas, I'd feel worse if I didn't go. What's a world traveler to do?

Lots of renewable energy companies are now offering to offset your carbon output with efforts to reduce carbon emissions elsewhere. Through a small donation to their efforts, you can feel good about neutralizing your travel. Travelocity even has a program that allows you to make those contributions as you book your ticket.

I personally like NativeEnergy, a Native American company that supports farmer-owned, community-based renewable energy projects. Offsetting my round-trip flight to Milwaukee costs $12. Considering what we pay for airplane meals these days, I think I can afford it.

Consumption: A Big Role in Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently published their report on the costs and benefits of various methods of offsetting the rise in greenhouse gas emissions, which are up 70% isnce 1970. The IPCC chair, Rejendra Pachauri, told reporters: "Human society as a whole has to look for changes in consumption patterns." BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Climate change 'can be tackled' Well, thank goodness consumption is no longer the elephant in the room! Changes in how we transport ourselves, what we eat, what we build, and what we buy must be made to reduce climate emissions. Now, will the government listen???

Things are looking considerably better than at this time last year, before the Step it Up movement rallied support around the magic number of 80% emissions reductions from 2000 levels by 2050. Decision makers around the US are joining the chorus of voices signing loudly for solutions. For a look at the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, click here, and also see what US mayors have been up to. I am cautiously optimistic, how about you?

Step it Up America!

Bill McKibben, environmental writer extraordinaire, was so pleased with his 2006 climate walk across Vermont that he decided to go further this year. He and some of his dedicated students have launched the Step it Up campaign, which will consist of rallies and demonstrations all across the country on April 14th, 2007 to call to curb carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050. If that target sounds outrageously impossible and you feel like a naysayer by saying so, consider that the United Kingdom actually PASSED legislation in March to cut carbon emissions by 60% by the year 2050.

Even though the 2006 Vermont walk was a success, Bill McKibben couldn't believe that the 1,000 people who gathered to rally represented the largest US global warming demonstration ever...1,000 people!!! Help show Congress and our presidential candidates that we're not too busy for environmental activism. Check out Step it Up to find an event near you, and get out there to show your support for our planet.