Sarah Hetznecker - a solar star

emily — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:32:26 -0700

"Follow Your Passion."

Sounds good, but what does this statement have to do with solar energy and climate change? In the case of Pennsylvania entrepreneur and business owner Sarah Hetznecker, everything.

We Count

emily — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 07:31:19 -0700

Every day, all over the world, we participate in activities that produce global warming gases. How much pollution are we generating? The global greenhouse gas emissions counter on the collage started from zero on January 1st, 2007 and increases at a rate of approximately 1,268.51 tonnes CO₂-equivalent per second. We refer to global emissions in metric tonnes (rather than short tons, with which we’re more familiar in the US) because metric units are the standard for global reporting and analysis.

Green is Green

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:37:15 -0700

The incredible economic progress of the last 150 years was made possible in part through the availability of cheap energy, energy deemed to be without significant global environmental consequences. Had we been able to read the fine print on fossil fuel, we would have seen the warning: "may cause climate change." Now the climate crisis is a full-blown threat, but it's also a great economic opportunity. It's a once-in-a-generation chance to innovate, to reinvent, to get creative, to rise to the occasion.

I pledge, you pledge, we all win

emily — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:09:52 -0700

Talk is cheap, but inaction is expensive, especially when the climate is in crisis. Take this pledge and then post it on your fridge, make it your screensaver, tape it near the back door or put a tiny version inside your wallet. Then explain to others why this is important so that they too will take the pledge. Hang it up in the coffee room at work. Post it on the community bulletin boards downtown or at the local library. This is all about doing something for yourself and your loved ones.

Forget the rules of thumb

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:13:50 -0700

Whether you're a truck driver, office worker, janitor, daycare provider, teacher, carpenter, CEO, farmer, engineer or concerned parent, you do have the power to help solve the climate crisis through making changes in your job and at your workplace.

Finding the savings takes a little creativity and true, American out-of-the-box thinking and innovation, but the rewards are huge -- both the impact on the climate and the sense of accomplishment you'll have.

So, what does a Climate P.I. do to hunt down energy savings and climate-friendly solutions?

Figure your footprint

emily — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:10:58 -0700

Wondering how your daily activities contribute to the climate crisis and how just a few changes in your life can make a difference? Tour the EarthLab calculator and learn about your climate footprint and the steps you can take.

Phone it In

emily — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:49:40 -0700

Air travel has a significant impact on the climate -- it's 5-10% of our contributions to global warming pollutants. In addition, traveling for business can be one of the great (mis)adventures in life: getting to the airport, getting through security, waiting for a delayed plane, sitting in a down-sized seat without legroom, circling your destination, waiting for luggage, filing a report when it doesn't turn up, traffic from the airport, a lost reservation at the hotel, a noisy air conditioner next to your room, a stale breakfast, and then a bleary-eyed workday.

Standby your...office

emily — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:14:58 -0700

Save energy and money by using the most efficient office equipment and taking advantage of the off switch. Office equipment is rapidly evolving and proliferating. It's also the fastest-growing user of electricity in commercial buildings in America. The Department of Energy calculates office equipment in homes and businesses costs $1.8 billion each year to power up and it's responsible for consuming 7% of all commercial-sector power.

Set it in motion - sensors save

emily — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:51:53 -0700

Lights out. It's a simple directive, but hard to follow in some environments, particularly in office buildings where the switches can be inconveniently located or you think somebody else might be coming any minute now. But in commercial buildings lighting accounts for about 29% of electrical energy use, a huge emitter of greenhouse gases. Motion and occupancy sensors can cut this use by about a third to almost half, depending on office rhythms.

Debbie and Barry Russell

emily — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:44:08 -0700

Ceramic tile: a handcrafted art form becomes a growing business that's driving an eco-revolution.

Barry and Debbie Russell founded Encore Ceramics, a ceramic tile business in southern Oregon, with a passion for two things: the artform of handcrafted ceramic tiles and a belief in building a sustainable, innovative and green-friendly business that didn't harm the environment.