tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800828841873738105.post8919233962409989164..comments2023-07-02T06:58:33.737-05:00Comments on WebberEnergyBlog: Saving (not wasting) energyMichael E. Webber, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12416546342365493633noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800828841873738105.post-17069748937171758322009-02-27T10:01:00.000-06:002009-02-27T10:01:00.000-06:00Yes, while this is true, I feel like a lot of Amer...Yes, while this is true, I feel like a lot of Americans could make choices today that would greatly reduce their energy consumption in the long run. Maybe they could opt not to buy that H2 or buy a house that's more energy efficient. (Most houses in suburbs aren't. They're energy guzzlers.)<BR/><BR/>The Energy Star website is pretty useful if people want to cut down on their energy use because not only do they offer products that meet their energy requirements, but they also offer an energy profile that gives a breakdown on how much energy an appliance uses. The Energy Star website also gives tips on how to save electricity day to day. It covers most energy using devices in the home or office.<BR/><BR/>It's going to take a conscious effort day to day to for Americans to reduce their energy consumption. In this fast food/ instant diet country, that's not how most American's live. They want results now and don't want to put in the effort it takes to 'do the right thing.' They also want to buy something off a shelf that solves all of their problems.<BR/><BR/>One last thing though, I wonder how this couple cut down on their energy consumption. Yes, it's great that we have things you can buy that can reduce your energy consumption, but most of the time it's at a price. For example, the new energy efficient light bulbs contain mercury and need to be disposed of in a recycling center instead of the trash. If these light bulbs are thrown out, the mercury can leach down into the water table if its put in a landfill. Once there's an impurity like that in the water table, it's really hard to get them out. This screws up the land, farm irrigation, and then we have to process our water more before we drink it.kbmulloyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01366298317647407087noreply@blogger.com