Plug electronics into a power strip

Even when turned off, electronic and IT equipment often use a small amount of electricity. U.S. households spend approximately $100 per year to power devices while they are in a low power mode -- roughly 8 percent of household electricity costs.

Nationwide, it is estimated that standby power accounts for more than $11 billion in annual U.S. energy costs! Using a power strip for your computer and all peripheral equipment allows you to completely disconnect the power supply from the power source, eliminating standby power consumption and cutting carbon pollution.

Learn more about how you can act on climate: http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today's Tip: Give your car a break

Using public transportation, carpooling, biking or walking can save energy and reduce carbon pollution on your way to and from work. Leaving your car at home just two days a week can reduce carbon pollution by an average of two tons per year.

Do you hate getting stuck in traffic jams? It may seem bold, but consider telecommuting (working from home via phone or the Internet), which can reduce the stress of commuting, reduce pollution, and save money. Even small life changes, like combining your errands and activities into one trip when using your car, make an impact.

Learn more about how you can act on climate: http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In honor of National Arbor Day - some special quotes about trees

 

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. -- Warren Buffett

"Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life." ― Hermann Hesse, Bäume. Betrachtungen und Gedichte

 

"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."  ― John Muir

 

"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. "
― Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

 

 

 

National Arbor Day!

 

www.ArborDay.org

 

 

 

 

Thursday Thought

   By Patrick McDonnell

 

 

 

 

17 Ridiculously Easy Things You Can Do To Help Save The Earth Every Day

I’m not going to include all 17 but you can to this link and see them all - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/22/easy-ways-to-save-earth_n_5168684.html

 

 

 

 

Fort Lauderdale Cares Day and Arbor Day/Earth Day Events

 

Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Events in the  City of Fort Lauderdale   Fort Lauderdale Cares Day - April 26th                             City of Fort Lauderdale 100 N. Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 www.fortlauderdale.gov

 

Today's Tip: Clean the area around the outdoor components of your HVAC system.

Did you know as much as half of your household energy use goes to heating and cooling? Airflow problems can reduce your HVAC system's efficiency by up to 15% and contribute to carbon pollution. In fact, dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating and cooling system inefficiency and failure.

Check out EPA's A Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling for more to learn how to keep your HVAC system clean and efficient: http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/HeatingCoolingGuide FINAL_9-4-09.pdf?87fc-711f

 

 

 

Use low-flow WaterSense showerheads

 

By replacing just one showerhead with a WaterSense labeled model, EPA estimates the average family can save 2,900 gallons of water, the amount of electricity needed to power its home for 13 days, and more than $70 in energy and water costs every year.

Changes we make at home can make a huge difference. If every home in the United States replaced existing showerheads with WaterSense labeled models, we could conserve more than 260 billion gallons of water and save nearly $5.1 billion in water and energy costs across the country annually while preventing carbon pollution.

Learn more: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/our_water/shower_better.html

 

 

Gene Dempsey, City Forester

Public Works Sustainability Division

Office - (954) 828-5785  Fax - (954) 828-4745

GDempsey@fortlauderdale.gov

 

 

Earth Month Tip of the Day: Fix a leak

 

Water conservation helps save energy and reduces carbon pollution.

Fixing small household leaks can make a huge difference. Small leaks can add up to gallons of water lost every day. Household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons annually nationwide -- that's the equivalent of the annual household water use of more than 11 million homes!

The average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry.

Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easily correctable, in many cases requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings.

Learn more: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/our_water/howto.html