This year, Green Mountain Energy Company, the nation's
leading provider of cleaner energy and carbon offset solutions, suggests a different kind of diet -- a 'carbon diet.' The company is encouraging individuals to consider making New Year's resolutions -- with a different purpose -- that help protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a leading contributor of global warming.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the
average U.S. household is responsible for the emission of almost 60 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Each household can eliminate up to 32 percent or 20 tons of this CO2 footprint by making simple yet powerful choices.
If you haven't already made your list of 'green' resolutions, Green Mountain offers 10 simple ways to be 'green' in 2008.
1. Sign up for cleaner electricity. Most people don't realize that
making electricity is the leading cause of industrial air pollution in
the U.S. By purchasing 100 percent new renewable energy for a year, an
American household using an average of 938 kilowatt hours (kWh) per
month could help avoid contributing over 15,600 pounds of carbon
dioxide (C02) annually.
2. Go on a Carbon Diet. Reduce your carbon footprint or become
carbon neutral by purchasing carbon offsets. Consumers can offset
their electrical usage, automobile transportation, air transportation
and natural gas usage by purchasing carbon offsets from BeGreen, a
division of Green Mountain Energy Company. Consumers can purchase the
BeGreen Driver, BeGreen Flyer or BeGreen Home products. For more
information, to purchase a carbon offset or to find out what your
carbon footprint is, visit: www.begreennow.com
3. Give the Gift of Green. Plant a tree for a friend to offset
carbon emissions. BeGreen also offers the Gift of Green: one native
tree is planted in an ecosystem restoration project in the U.S. For
only $9.95, the recipient of your green gift receives a plantable
ornament made of seed paper, plus a card telling them about the
environmental benefits of their tree. Consumers can purchase the Gift
of Green at www.begreennow.com.
4. Purchase a Hybrid Car. Hybrid gas/electric cars are becoming
more affordable and accessible than ever. The Honda Insight and Toyota
Prius are at the top of the EPA's Green Vehicle Guide and get roughly
45-60 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city. Better fuel economy means
lower CO2 emissions. In fact, a five-mpg difference equates to about
2,800 pounds of CO2 pollution a year.
5. Green your Commute! Give your car a break. Combine trips
whenever possible, share a ride, use mass transit, walk or bike
whenever possible. Leaving your car at home just two days a week will
save almost 1,600 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year! Keep
your car well-maintained to maximize its fuel efficiency, safety, and
reliability.
6. Drive Smart. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of
C02 out of the atmosphere! Keep your car tuned up, combine trips,
limit idling to 30 seconds, never 'top off' the tank, drive less
aggressively and maintain proper tire pressure. Keeping you tires
inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more than 3 percent.
7. Upgrade to EPA's ENERGY STAR-certified Products. Americans,
with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2005 alone to
avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 23 million
cars.
8. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL). A CFL puts out
the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb but uses two-thirds
less electricity. CFLs last 10 times longer and use about 72 percent
less energy than a standard bulb.
9. Recycle More. You can save 2,400 pounds of C02 per year by
recycling just half of your household waste.
10. Say No to Plastic Bags. When shopping, bring a reusable bag to
carry your purchases. A plastic bag can take an astonishing 500 years
to decompose.
'As consumers make their New Year's resolutions this year, we hope
they will consider the impact their decisions can have on the
environment,' said Gillan Taddune, Chief Environmental Officer for
Green Mountain Energy Company. 'Going green is not only easy to
implement, but it often can save you money.'
Green Mountain's Top 10 Green Resolutions for 2008
1. Sign up for Cleaner Electricity
2. Go on a Carbon Diet
3. Give the Gift of Green
4. Purchase a Hybrid Car
5. Green Your Commute
6. Drive Smart
7. Upgrade to EPA ENERGY STAR-certified products
8. Switch to CFLs
9. Recycle More
10. Say No to Plastic Bags
leading provider of cleaner energy and carbon offset solutions, suggests a different kind of diet -- a 'carbon diet.' The company is encouraging individuals to consider making New Year's resolutions -- with a different purpose -- that help protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a leading contributor of global warming.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the
average U.S. household is responsible for the emission of almost 60 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Each household can eliminate up to 32 percent or 20 tons of this CO2 footprint by making simple yet powerful choices.
If you haven't already made your list of 'green' resolutions, Green Mountain offers 10 simple ways to be 'green' in 2008.
1. Sign up for cleaner electricity. Most people don't realize that
making electricity is the leading cause of industrial air pollution in
the U.S. By purchasing 100 percent new renewable energy for a year, an
American household using an average of 938 kilowatt hours (kWh) per
month could help avoid contributing over 15,600 pounds of carbon
dioxide (C02) annually.
2. Go on a Carbon Diet. Reduce your carbon footprint or become
carbon neutral by purchasing carbon offsets. Consumers can offset
their electrical usage, automobile transportation, air transportation
and natural gas usage by purchasing carbon offsets from BeGreen, a
division of Green Mountain Energy Company. Consumers can purchase the
BeGreen Driver, BeGreen Flyer or BeGreen Home products. For more
information, to purchase a carbon offset or to find out what your
carbon footprint is, visit: www.begreennow.com
3. Give the Gift of Green. Plant a tree for a friend to offset
carbon emissions. BeGreen also offers the Gift of Green: one native
tree is planted in an ecosystem restoration project in the U.S. For
only $9.95, the recipient of your green gift receives a plantable
ornament made of seed paper, plus a card telling them about the
environmental benefits of their tree. Consumers can purchase the Gift
of Green at www.begreennow.com.
4. Purchase a Hybrid Car. Hybrid gas/electric cars are becoming
more affordable and accessible than ever. The Honda Insight and Toyota
Prius are at the top of the EPA's Green Vehicle Guide and get roughly
45-60 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city. Better fuel economy means
lower CO2 emissions. In fact, a five-mpg difference equates to about
2,800 pounds of CO2 pollution a year.
5. Green your Commute! Give your car a break. Combine trips
whenever possible, share a ride, use mass transit, walk or bike
whenever possible. Leaving your car at home just two days a week will
save almost 1,600 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year! Keep
your car well-maintained to maximize its fuel efficiency, safety, and
reliability.
6. Drive Smart. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of
C02 out of the atmosphere! Keep your car tuned up, combine trips,
limit idling to 30 seconds, never 'top off' the tank, drive less
aggressively and maintain proper tire pressure. Keeping you tires
inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more than 3 percent.
7. Upgrade to EPA's ENERGY STAR-certified Products. Americans,
with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2005 alone to
avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 23 million
cars.
8. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL). A CFL puts out
the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb but uses two-thirds
less electricity. CFLs last 10 times longer and use about 72 percent
less energy than a standard bulb.
9. Recycle More. You can save 2,400 pounds of C02 per year by
recycling just half of your household waste.
10. Say No to Plastic Bags. When shopping, bring a reusable bag to
carry your purchases. A plastic bag can take an astonishing 500 years
to decompose.
'As consumers make their New Year's resolutions this year, we hope
they will consider the impact their decisions can have on the
environment,' said Gillan Taddune, Chief Environmental Officer for
Green Mountain Energy Company. 'Going green is not only easy to
implement, but it often can save you money.'
Green Mountain's Top 10 Green Resolutions for 2008
1. Sign up for Cleaner Electricity
2. Go on a Carbon Diet
3. Give the Gift of Green
4. Purchase a Hybrid Car
5. Green Your Commute
6. Drive Smart
7. Upgrade to EPA ENERGY STAR-certified products
8. Switch to CFLs
9. Recycle More
10. Say No to Plastic Bags