globalbriefs
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that works for all.
Big Improvement
Small Changes Add Up to Large Cut in Carbon Emissions
A new study from Michigan State University demonstrates how altering everyday decisions can collectively re- duce direct U.S. household carbon di- oxide emissions by 20 percent annually in 10 years, “with little or no reduction in household well-being.” That’s equal to 7.4 percent of U.S. household emis- sions, and more than the total national emissions of France. Researchers note that most policy
attention has been placed on long-term options such as clean energy technologies and cap-and-trade programs, but changing individual habits is reasonably achievable in the near-term. Adopting fuel-efficient vehicles and smart home weatherizing top the list of doable changes, followed
by use of energy-efficient appliances and heating/cooling equipment, as well as fuel-smart driving behavior, low- rolling resistance tires and carpooling (http://Behavioral-
Wedge.msu.edu/).
Entrepreneur Robin Chase, who
founded Zipcar (Zipcar.com), the big- gest urban car-sharing program in the world, is now also catalyzing a broader communications network for carpool- ing, called ride sharing, via local social networks of friends, coworkers, fellow church-goers and school chums. She notes that car sharing, in which users reserve and pay for the time they use a
common-access vehicle, has been proven to reduce road time, as well as personal gas, insurance and maintenance costs.
Create or join a ride-sharing group at http://GoLoco.org.
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