THERE is so much advice out there to help us all save energy, which is a good thing, except myth and sound advice often get mixed. So here are a few MythBusters.
Plus a few tips for the workplace to help you start to save energy right away by dismissing the myths while taking some positive actions to save energy, save money and reduce carbon emissions.
First of all some myths regarding energy saving:
A New York State board has recommended an energy plan to make energy more affordable, particularly through energy efficiency.
In an Energy Efficiency Assesment report issued on Tuesday (click here to see report) New York State provided very interesting recommendations that could move the Empire State to the lead position in the US as far as a clean energy economy is concerned and it makes financial sense as well.
The plan recommends energy efficiency as a major focus for commerce and industry and a new state building code that would also require stricter energy efficiency. Not only will this bring environmental benefits but the costing is a no-brainer, as the return on investment in energy efficiency is substantial – to quote the report:
The UK newspaper the Daily Telegraph ran a special report last week which is of interest to all those who want to save energy.
They interviewed Sir John Parker, who is Chairman of the National Grid in the UK, but has been involved in many other varied major industrial and commercial corporations. In most of these he has championed sustainability and has implemented many environmental and energy policies.
Andrew Cave, the writer of the piece, described Sir John as evangelical about the need for companies to invest in energy efficiency. What Sir John stated in the interview was the highlight for me and I would like to share his words with you.
Sir John told the Telegraph regarding energy efficiency:
“It’s the area that doesn’t always seem to me to get the highest attention and it’s the lowest-cost way of reducing one’s carbon footprint,
» Read more: “Start with energy efficiency” – Sir John Parker
Anissa S. Febrina has written and interesting article in the Jakarta Post about retrofitting buildings so they are energy efficient.
The article, most of which appears below, states how often finding the money for the energy monitoring solutions and the load-side products can be a stumbling block, but the article explains that the money saved from reduced energy bills over a fairly short period provides a great return on investment.
What is also of interest is the article does highlight how Indonesia is now realising how important it is to become energy efficient. I know from speaking to people from Indonesia that climate change, energy efficiency and security has not been a concern – hence it is good to see they are sitting up and taking notice.
Copenhagen will be holding the UN Climate Change Conference in December. Many feel this be the ultimate, last-chance gathering to interrupt the progression of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
If so, regardless of the financial prejudice involved, failure to cooperate and agree to compromise will mean a depressing future for our planet and its population. Wealthier nations, such as the US (who didn’t sign the Kyoto accord back in 1997 fearing their economy would suffer), have demonstrated reluctance to cut carbon emissions to avoid the financial contributions entailed.
Unfortunately, until the US decides to sign up to targets, the rest of the world will be unwilling to do so. An example needs to be set, and time is running short.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has calculated that a 10.5 trillion dollar global investment is required to counterbalance the effects of the recession and keep climate change threats at a distance.
This colossal investment would be assigned to developing new low-carbon technologies and funding energy efficiency breakthroughs. While energy consumption has decreased for the first time since 1981, the money invested in new low-carbon technologies has been significantly cut due to the financial crisis.
While fossil fuel demand is predicted to peak by 2020, the focus has to be put on energy efficiency, which would achieve in itself 50% of the energy savings by 2030.
That is when the crucial quality of energy saving implementations becomes blatant. Professionals all over the world, regardless of their sector of activity, all have increasing incentives to adhere and adopt cost reducing energy saving tools, as all function and operate using energy in some form (lighting, motors, refrigeration, air conditioning…).
Greenbiz reports on BSR (Business for Social Responsibility) Survey:
Climate change, human rights and energy efficiency are some of the top priorities in business leaders’ sustainability strategies, according to a survey of BSR Conference 2009 attendees. And just as important, a large majority of companies expect their sustainability budgets will stay the same or increase, making sure they have the money to enact the actions they want to.
The BSR/GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Poll 2009 (PDF) polled 274 business leaders attending the conference in San Francisco.
When asked to list “very significant” priorities over the next year, 41 percent chose climate change, 32 percent cited human rights, 29 percent said workers’ rights and 26 percent listed water availability/quality.
» Read more: Survey Reveals: Energy Efficiency Top Business Priorities
The International Energy Agency (IEA) yesterday (14 Oct 2009) pushed for its members and other nations to improve their energy efficiency.
The Paris-based agency made this appeal at a ministerial meeting held in the headquarters of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Jean-Yves Garnier, the director of the IEA energy statistics office, wished for the ministerial conference to send a clear message to their 28 member states.
YouTube have produced their own video encouraging everyone to raise their voice over climate change.
Here is the YouTube blurb accompanying the video -
Bring your voice to the world leaders at COP15 – the most important conference on climate change in a decade.
As nations seek an agreement to protect the world we want your views from all across the world.
Watch the video below
A great article has appeared in The Oklahoman newspaper, addressing some of the concerns regarding using energy saving CFL lights. Here is the article in full:
It is time to get the facts and the myths about compact fluorescent bulbs — CFLs — to address the concerns, questions and rumors that seem to be everywhere these days.
And because I often hear from readers complaining that the CFLs they buy never last very long, I tried to find out the best ways to use the bulbs so they reach the promised lifetimes their manufacturers claim. Consider the following:
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