Renewable Energy in Your Backyard

Renewable Energy, Right in Your Backyard!

Susanne Wagner-Fischer, a Seattle mom of two energetic boys, hangs her laundry outside to dry.    Susanne, who spent her childhood in Sweden, brings an old world conservation ethic to her daily choices.  Susanne is diligent about turning off electronics, lights and faucets when not in use.  She tries to reduce her family's consumption.  “In Europe, you buy fewer things of really good quality, things that are meant to last a lifetime,”  she says.

What does laundry have to do with global warming?

According to ClimateCrisis.net, you can save 700lbs of carbon dioxide emissions by drying your clothes on the clothesline six months of the year.  Now we can't say how this statistic was derived, but if you are a mom like us, you may have noticed you do a lot more laundry now.  You may have also heard how childhood obesity and early onset diabetes are on the rise.  Not only can hanging up the clothes reduce greenhouse gases, you can help keep your kids healthy by getting them outside, off the computer and away from the tv, to romp and play in the yard.

But - If Seattle uses hydroelectricity, how are we cutting greenhouse gases?

Yes, hydropower does provide a lot of electricity in the Pacific Northwest.  However, this supply is not endless and our choices have repercussions in other regions.  Saving energy in the Northwest allows the surplus hydroelectric power to be sent to California, where it replaces power from polluting sources like coal and natural gas.  It is important to conserve because we will have less hydroelectricity in the future.  Climate change in the Northwest means a reduced snowpack, with less water for hydropower.

Reducing Consumption, the Reduce of 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle'

Electricity isn't the only thing we need to conserve.  Our society is increasingly becoming a disposable one.  Swapping out furniture every few years, buying more clothing than our closets have space for and buying toys kids tire of in a week.  Our Stuff.  Has more stuff made us happier?  Our planet says no.  Producing it requires new materials, not to mention the energy used in production and transportation of these goods, pollution that contributes to climate change.  We don't need to be militant, but buying less can make a difference.  Like Susanne, you can buy fewer things you really like, things of better quality.  And if you're like us, you're probably tired of cleaning out the closet.

How are you taking action?  Tell us here?