By Alan Zelicoff
Science Consultant
If the latest report from the International Panel on Climate Change is correct, the adverse effects of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are going be worse— much worse— than thought just a year ago.
Even if the IPCC is incorrect (I happen to believe that the data supporting their view is all but impossible to ignore), there seems little doubt that prices of all types of energy will continue to increase and that the money Americans spend on oil and gas will end up in the pockets of people we'd just as soon not have it.
So depending on what's important to you— the politics, the potential for adverse climate changes, or the personal economics— action is long overdue.
Governments, local and national, seem unable to act in any meaningful way, so if anything is going to happen it is up to individuals.
What difference can an individual make? A big difference— and right now, without much cost.
Over the past six years, I have drastically reduced the amount spent on energy— good for my household budget. And I have drastically reduced the tonnage of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere by the family's energy use— good for the planet. My tracking of CO2 takes into account use of electricity and natural gas in my 50-year-old, larger-than-median home and driving.
The energy use of the average Albuquerque household has been going up by about 3 percent a year since 2000. Bigger houses, more watt-hungry items and the relatively low cost of electricity probably account for that.
Meanwhile, since 2001, my household energy use has dropped by an average of 5 percent a year. Where the average household's emissions of CO2 amount to 20 tons, I've reduce mine to 2.5 tons.
So how did I do it and what did the modifications cost— and what have they saved? I started with the simple things first, and as I reaped the benefits, invested the returns in more change— a virtuous feedback loop.
The "Top 10" list (above) describes cheap, simple measures that could save a household almost $1,000 annually and keep about 10 tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere. These quick steps managed to bring my winter-time energy peaks down from 2001 to 2004 while most other consumers' energy use was trending up.
Next I did some xeriscaping— saving water along with the electricity it takes to get it to my house. I put new insulation in the attic ($250), replaced the old furnace ($2,000) and some old windows ($3,000), bringing winter heating costs down so much at a time when natural gas prices were skyrocketing that the cost-recovery period is less than eight years.
Even if you have to borrow money for the initial investment, these improvements make economic sense and offer pragmatic insurance if energy prices further accelerate.
Next I bought a hybrid car. They really do get 50 mpg and are as comfortable and zippy as any car I've ever driven.
Finally, I installed photovoltaic panels. PNM pays for every kilowatt-hour generated by the panels, so even without the soon-to expire tax credits, the panels generate a better return on investment— close to 7 percent— than a 20-year treasury bill at current rates. That return will only get better as electric rates go up— so it's even inflation-proof. Try that with a T-bill.
The bottom line? My household CO2 emissions— once near the Albuquerque average— are now 85 percent lower than the average!
But if all that matters to you is the money shelled out every month, note this: My household's bill for energy, including gasoline, is around $75 a month. The average Albuquerque family pays closer to $300.
It'll be a long while before the risks of global warming and costs of energy are moderated by new technologies or energy sources— though invest in them, we must. But a key part of the solution lies right at your fingertips— now. All it takes is a little looking around your own household and a tad of flexibility.
Local utilities would be wise to consider ways to further encourage more efficient use by individuals rather than building new behemoth coal-burning plants.
With the Public Regulatory Commission currently considering PNM's new rate request, there is a timely opportunity to use some of the new revenue to realize new efficiencies: educating consumers on the key conservation measures that make a big difference and mandating low-cost time-of-day metering for consumers. In every case where this course of action has been introduced, peak and total consumption falls, as does the need for new power plants.
Individuals can make a big difference in this, too, plugging into the process through elected officials— PRC commissioners and the attorney general, whose office represents consumers.
Alan Zelicoff is an Albuquerque physician, physicist and consultant. Top 10 Tips Trim 10 Tons of CO2
10) Cook with a lid on your pots (annual savings, $21)
9) Replace outside lights with solar lights for $30, (savings, $26)
8) Line-dry clothes, $1.50 initial cost (savings, $36)
7) Clean refrigerator coils (savings, $32)
6) Replace five incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, $15 (savings, $45)
5) Unplug unused chargers for cell phones etc. (savings $108)
4) Disconnect extra freezer or icemaker (savings, $108)
3) Walk, bike or bus to work once a week (savings, $150)
2) When you leave house, turn up thermostat in summer (savings, $120)
1) In winter, turn thermostat down to 60 at night (savings, $340)
BOTTOM LINE: An initial outlay of less than $50 and minimal effort saves 475 therms, 5,442 kilowatt hours, 10 tons of carbon dioxide and $986 a year.
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