How Much Energy Do You Use? One Tonne Challenge

[57]

Please don't consider this remark critical of the people above, rather it's critical of the way we are building our cities/towns.

At least one person in the family (as well as children) should be able to live close to work, shopping and infrastructure (like schools and daycare). Currently we are building vast wastelands called suburbs where every family needs 2+ cars and cannot do anything by foot/bike. Very sad.

[filper]

I agree with you.

[Jake]

Does anyone have ENERGY STAR appliances? I am not talking about the energuide or whatever it is called. I think the only ENERGY STAR gadgets I have are my PC monitor, scanner and printer.

I think I have only seen dishwashers with this label. My stove, dryer and water heater and furnace are all natural gas and I think they are more efficient than electric versions. I could be wrong though.

John

[Mole]

My last DVD player was energy star compliant. It died within 3 years. It did shut itself off if it was idle for more that 20 minutes.

[MuscleCramp]

I agree with 57's comment. We want to move so only one of us has to commute. (hopefully her 8) )

[Proteosome]

Okay: 6.14 before and 5.26 after.

However, it would cost a lot more than I would ever save to implement these so-called green house gas reduction measures. I would rather spend that money on new "toys."

Do I care about the environment... of course. Am I going to be ridiculous and waste money to cut back on my relativily minimal contribution... I don't think so.

[shawguy]

I think one of the biggest problems is the USA and Alberta refuse to enstate the Koyoto accord (sorry if I spelt it wrong, I hope I spelt it right) and when big businesses or countries don't participate, it won't work. Its sad that the almighty dollar is more powerful than living another 100 years.

Shawguy

[57]

North Americans will start to talk about this more after the movie "Day After Tomorrow" comes out. The movie is a major exaggeration, but it will hopefully generate a lot of discussion. It's the "Kyoto Protocol".

Am I going to be ridiculous and waste money to cut back on my relativily minimal contribution

Interestingly, most of the cutbacks end up saving people money - a few examples follow.

- Higher mileage vehicles
- Better insulated homes
- Fluorescent lighting where appropriate
- biking, walking, taking transit more.
- a hundred or more other lifestyle changes that cost little or nothing, but save both money and the environment.

[Proteosome]

I agree. But I don't think it is necessary to replace perfectly good appliances/cars/light bulbs just to get the energy efficient model. Likewise, extra insulation and window caulking all can cost a lot of money up front for small gains over a long period of time.

I suggest gradually going green. When an item needs replacing, go to the green version.

Sadly, while we may be one of the major polluters now.. within a few years the developing world will be the ones generating the bulk of the pollution. They will not want to be saddled with restrictions. Getting them to cut back will be the real challenge.

[que3jxp]

Well me and my big house scored 4.18 tonnes or 1.39 per person.

That is half the NB Provincial average and more than a tonne less than the national average.

They still don't have all the car models listed yet. I have a 2000 CR-V and they only list the 2002 and 2003. Same for our Just 4x4. It is 1994 and they only list 1988 and 1989. Stupid half aXX government.

[buritto]

12.37!!!

I must have done something wrong. My transportation cost are 90% of the total but my wife and I only drive 20 minutes round trip for work.

[Jake]

Two hummers eh?

[buritto]

Lol, no.

A 96 Ford Escort and a 2001 Dodge Dakota.

[Roger Corman]

Okay ... this calculator has some issues.
How come it lists an Energy Star Freezer in the Reduction assessment, but not in the initial assessment? I have one of those but was penalized in the initial assessment because it wasn't listed as an option. And it does not take into account people who live in apartments who do not do gardening or snow removal. It was giving me bad marks for bagging the lawn grass, when I don't even have a lawn.

The initial assessment showed me at 6.22 tonnes. the reduction assessment dropped it to 5.17, but the things I checked off on the reduction assessment were things that I was already doing. I sure thought that I would be lower than this however. I live in an apartment and walk to work everyday, and don't even own a vehicle.

[buritto]

"and walk to work everyday, and don't even own a vehicle"

You lucky son of a...

I wish I could do that.