Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction - Simple tips to get you started
Energy and Greenhouse Gas Guide released February 12 by Road Map 2020. Click here to view a copy of the new Guide (pdf) and find out what Saskatoon is doing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate change and greenhouse gas reduction are terms we hear a lot about these days. But do you know how to get started on reducing your greenhouse gas emissions? It’s easier than you think! It means reducing the energy we use, recycling, and using everyday items more efficiently.
Your Home:
Appliances
- Buy Energy Star appliances. They meet strict energy guidelines and reduce energy bills.
- Shut off your computer when you aren’t using it. It could save you $55 per year!
Lighting
- Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) are a great way to save on emissions and cash! Replacing ten 100-watt bulbs with CFLs saves as much carbon dioxide in a year as a SUV would produce in the same period of time and can save you up to $450 per year!
- Open your curtains! Sunlight is brighter than light bulbs and it’s free.
Waste and Recycling
- Think about what you throw away. Reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible. Did you know garbage generates greenhouse gases in a landfill? Landfill garbage produces methane, a gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
- Use recycled paper – recycled paper requires less energy to produce. Every pound of recycled paper you buy prevents 4 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Look for the highest available post-consumer content.
- Compost – not only does composting kitchen and yard waste invigorate the soil, it also reduces the amount of waste going to the landfill.
Landscaping
- Xeriscaping – designing a yard and garden specifically to conserve water.
- Collect rain water – use a rain barrel to capture and store rainwater for irrigation. Make sure your barrel is covered to keep mosquitoes out!
- Water conservation – think about when you water. More than half of the water applied to lawns and gardens can be lost to evaporation and run-off due to over-watering. Water when it is cool in the evening or early morning.
- Leave grass clippings on your lawn when you mow. Clippings will quickly break down, helping your lawn retain moisture, adding nutrients and reducing the need for fertilizers.
- Plant trees on your property. They provide shade to help keep your house cool in the summer and remove carbon dioxide from the air.
Your Car:
- Is there another way to get where you need to go? For the average person, vehicles are one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Think about car pooling to work, starting a walking school bus for your kids, taking a City bus on your errand or walking to the local grocery store.
- Think about a Hybrid vehicle for your next vehicle purchase. Hybrids are great for city and highway driving. On average you will double your mileage on highway trips and triple your mileage driving in the city!
- Slow down – Driving at 115 km/h uses 13% more fuel than 100 km/h.
- Don’t idle your car – You will save gas and significantly reduce your emissions. In the winter, running your car for one minute before driving is sufficient. Plug your car in but use an outdoor timer. Set the timer to start up 4 hours before you need to drive your car.
- Regular maintenance - a clogged air filter can increase gas consumption by 10%!
- The right tire pressure can make a huge difference on your fuel costs. If your tires are under-inflated by 10 pounds, you’re losing 4% fuel mileage.
- Aligning your tires saves gas, reduces inefficiencies and extends the life of your car.
Thanks to Drive Neutral, SaskPower and the City of Regina for some of the information provided.