Three Ways to Help Reduce Energy Demand
Save Money and Help the Environment at the Same Time
Apr 20, 2009
You may think that to save energy you need to invest in energy saving appliances and vehicles. But there are simple things you can do today that will not only save energy, but save you money at the same time.
Eat Less Food, Especially Meat
Today’s modern farms use a lot of energy. Machinery used to plow and harvest fields require energy. Fertilizers are made from petroleum. Food processors require energy from their local power plants. Truck, trains, and ships used to transport food to processing plants and then to markets burn diesel. A lot of energy is used to put food on our plates. So, if we consume less food, we will also be consuming less energy.
Also, meat requires more energy than plants because you have the additional cost of the energy spent to grow the food that the animals eat. If you help reduce our energy consumption by eating less food, especially meat, you may also enjoy some added health benefits from your weight loss.
Do Not Change Your Oil
At least, do not change your oil as often as 3,000 miles. When you get your oil changed, chances are the auto repair shop will put a sticker in the upper left of your windshield indicating when your next oil change should be. At most shops, that will be 3,000 miles.
It is in the financial interest of these businesses (and oil companies) for customers to change their oil that often; however, it is not necessary. As mechanic Ray Magliozzi from the radio show Car Talk points out in an April 2005 column, “Very few people recommend changing the oil every 3,000 miles anymore. It's just not necessary, and the environmental cost is too high.” He recommends changing your oil every 5,000 miles, but suggests that even 7,500 miles would be fine.
Reduce the Amount of Mail You Receive
It takes energy to harvest the trees, produce the paper, print the material, and transport the mail you receive. Plus, a lot of the mail we get is mail we do not need and quickly dispose of (requiring more energy). There are many ways to reduce the amount of mail you receive. The Internet has made this more convenient than ever. Most banks today offer free online bill pay, and many billers will allow you to opt out of receiving paper mail and send you an e-mail instead. Additionally, you can reduce the amount of junk mail you receive at OptOutPrescreen.com.
In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, commit yourself to doing your part to reduce our energy consumption. It will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, the amount of carbon and pollutants in the atmosphere, and the cost of energy itself. It may even save you money.
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