Throw The Switch and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Electricity is really just organized lightning
— George Carlin

One of the easiest ways to reduce your electricity bill is to, well, not use electricity.  Simple, right?  This boils down to building awareness of what around you is using power when it isn’t needed. 

  • Lights are an easy one.  Turn them off when you’re not in the room.
  • That refrigerator door?  Make sure it’s closed tightly each time you’re done staring into it wondering what to make for dinner.
  • Is your laptop/tablet/phone/other indispensable electronic device fully charged?  Unplug it!  It’s better for the earth and your device.
  • Unplugging also goes for other electronics such as desktop computers, microwaves, toasters, TVs and DVD players.  Turning them off is not enough.  Be kind - unplug.

Reducing electricity use by 10 percent eliminates 1,800 pounds of CO2 from your carbon footprint


Small, but consistent, efforts at reducing your electricity consumption can add up.  If you are like the average American family, reducing your electricity consumption by just 10% will save you $150 and eliminate 1,800 pounds of CO2 from your carbon footprint.

This is what 1,800 pounds of CO2 emissions looks like

This is the volume of greenhouse gas you can eliminate if you save just 10% of your electricity usage

 

Photo: Tambako the Jaguar via Flickr