From the May 2008 AARP Bulletin:
Power of 50 by Mike Klesius
Ready to Go Green
At least 50% of Americans who are boomers or older say they buy environmentally safe products. The AARP Bulletin reaches 39 million members in 24 million households. While battling climate change, here’s how much money each household could save a year and collectively how much greenhouse gas could be reduced.
Use a more energy-efficient 2008 model refrigerator instead of a 2001 model or older. Annual savings per household: $63; Collective CO2 reduction: 11.8 million tons
Turn down your gas hot water heater from 140 degrees to 120 degrees. Annual savings per household: $60; Collective CO2 Reduction: 4.1 million tons
Eat ¼ less meat. Annual savings per household: $169; Collective CO2 reduction: 1.9 million tons
Switch from 75-watt incandescent bulbs to 19-watt Compact Fluorescent bulbs. Annual savings per household: $68; Collective CO2 reduction: 11.4 million tons
Lower your thermostat by a degree in the winter and raise it by a degree in the summer. Annual savings per household: $55; Collective CO2 reduction: 7.5 million tons
Drive a car that gets 35 MPG instead of the national average of 25 MPG. Annual savings per member: $482 (or more at current costs); Collective CO2 reduction: 71.2 million tons (remember this the next time you are ready to replace your car, but remember the “greenest” car is the one you have right now, just take steps to improve the gas mileage of it)
TOTAL GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION: 116.6
Gene Dempsey, City Forester
Environmental Services
Office - (954) 828-5785 Fax - (954) 828-
Think before you print!
