Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Planet

The following exchange is from a posting on a yahoo chat group I belong to called "Climate Concern." Climate Concern is a good group for anyone concerned about the issue of global warming and environmental issues. The link to this group is to the left under "Conversation/Groups." A lot of rational, informed people contribute to this group and there are lot of interesting exchanges and links. Rather than write my original post, I am simply reposted the following exchange. Rod

Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Planet

I watched a wonderful program on PBS where a group in Cambridge made energy efficiency easy and widespread. You can watch it online from the link below:
Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Planet
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/413/index.html

Could a new effort to fight global warming save money and create jobs at the same time? NOW looks at a city-wide plan in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to make all its buildings more energy efficient. Up to 80 percent of emissions in many urban cities comes from buildings. Cambridge hopes that this unprecedented effort to green its buildings will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent in just five years, the equivalent of taking 33,000 cars off the road. If every major city in America took the same approach, it would have a significant impact on the carbon footprint of the United States —and it would generate tens of millions of new "

The Cambridge Energy Alliance, a nonprofit group, will help clients cut their energy use 15-30 percent, which translates into a lower utility bill. The Alliance will then help clients secure loans to pay for the building retrofits, loans designed to pay themselves off by the savings on those utility bills. Retrofitting thousands of buildings could also create a new green job market in Cambridge. It's a bold new experiment, but the Alliance hopes to become a national model that puts green thinking on display, as well as more green in people's pockets. Will this entrepreneurial effort bring new converts to the environmental movement?

Related Links:Cambridge Energy Alliance
U.S. Green Building Council: LEED Green Building Rating System
North Carolina State University: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
U.S. Dept. of Energy: A Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficieny and Renewable Energy
U.S. Dept. of Energy: Energy Efficient Building Technologies Program

Bob

Bob, I saw the same program it was great! I am a conservative who believes global warming is real. Empty symbolic gestures will not solve the problem of global warming. Cajoling or command and control will not do it. Trying to change peoples hearts will not do it. If preaching and trying to change hearts worked, after 2000 years of Christianity, Christian countries would not need policemen. To address global warming we must apply sound economic principles. This is a program that uses sound economics. The bottom line works. Those environmentalist who deny the truth of economics are no better than those who deny the truth of global warming. This program in Cambridge is the kind of program than can work because it makes economic sense. The consumer can do good for the world while doing good for their pocketbook. I am reposting your post on my blog. I was going to post this info anyway, but you have done the work for me.

Thanks, Rod

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