a parable on american consumption · apr. 2003. collective action ... {reduction in work week...
TRANSCRIPT
A Parable on American Consumption
Way back in the days when the grass was still green and the pond was still wet
And the clouds were still clean…
I laughed at the Lorax, “You poor stupid guy!You never can tell what some people will buy.”
UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.
Sustainable Consumption in the Household
Environmental Strategies 454:Taylor McLean, Andrew Lesser, Johnathan Licitra
Household Consumption
I. Individualization of responsibility*Lifestyle change
II. Collective Action *Education*Eco-cycling
III. Market Mechanisms
* Household Efficiency* Energy Star
IV. Government Action
Voluntary Simplicity
“It means an ordering and guiding or our energy and our desires, a partial restraint in some directions in order to secure greater abundance of life in other directions. It involves a deliberate organization of life for a purpose.”
-Duane Elgin (1993) Voluntary Simplicity
Source: Dove, Roxanne & Sue Bailey. “VoluntarySimplicity: Creating a sustainable future”. Journal ofFamily and Consumer Sceinces. Apr. 2003.
Collective Action
“Community integrates lifestyle with use and care for surrounding land.”
- Francis M. Vanek
Community and NGOs
Education and AwarenessMandating community service in secondary education
Benefits:Teaches social interdependence Teaches respect & responsibility
Community and NGOs
Resource ProductivityEco-cycling
Benefits:Increases Product LifecycleReduces need for natural resourcesNew market potential (Ebay)
Community and NGOs
Work-Spend LifestyleReduction in work week
Benefits:More leisure timeLess pay, less consumptionMore environmental awareness
Market Incentives
Increases in efficiency lead to saved money on utility billsCan be achieved through upgrading technology in the houseAlternative energy sources reduce inputs
Upgrading technology
One major source of energy loss is through windowsFurnaces have had great leaps in efficiency over the past decadeEnergy Star appliances indicate a reduced need for electricity
Alternative Energy
Today, usually solar (PV) cellsLower start up costs—38% decrease in price over the past 10 yearsIncreased length of warranteesFederal grants or tax credits are availableWhen excess energy is produced, it can be sold to power companies
Energy Star
Government program to certify efficient homesRequires a 30% increase in energy efficiency, or a 15% increase from state laws, whichever is stricterTwo methods of certification-Building Option Packages (BOP) for new homes, Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) for existing homes
Financial Benefits of Energy Star
Energy efficiency lowers utility bills— estimated savings of $540 annuallyCertified homes are eligible for lower mortgage paymentsCosts of compliance with Energy Star between $3,000-$4,000With no mortgage benefits, payoff in ~7 years, sooner with lower mortgage
HERS and BOP
Home Energy Rating System scores house efficiency on a 100 point score80 is the normal, to qualify for Energy Star, a score of 86 is requiredScores are based on windows, insulation, water heating, duct leakage, etc…Building Option Packages set minimum goals for these criteriaBoth methods require an independent evaluator for certification
Gov. Action toward Sustainable Consumerism in the Household
Currently very little action takenEnergy Star certification program offers mortgage benefitsGrants are available for the installation of solar cellsTwo competing bills were introduced in 2002, H.R. 778, and S. 207
Efficiency Tax Breaks in H.R. 778 and S. 207
H.R. 778For new houses, a 30% increase in efficiency gives $2,000 tax break
Existing homes-20% of the upgrade cost given back up to $1,000
S. 207For new houses, a 30% increase in efficiency gives $1,250 tax break, 50% increase--$2,500Existing homes-10% of the upgrade cost given back up to $300
Efficiency Tax Breaks in H.R. 778 and S. 207 Continued
S. 207Energy efficient appliances give a break of $75-$250
Same for solar energy, 30% return on wind energy investments
H.R. 778None
Returns 15% of the cost of solar panels up to $2,000
Trinity Approach of Sustainable Consumption in the Household
Fear
MoneyLove
Confidence
Tradeoffs
Collaboration
Income
Knowledge
Towards making informed consumptive choices:
"Would it not be well for us to consider if our deed will warrant the expense of nature?"
-- Henry David Thoreau
www.realgoods.comwww.realgoods.com
www.greenpages.orgwww.greenpages.org
www.energystar.govwww.energystar.gov
www.seedsofsimplicity.comwww.seedsofsimplicity.com
www.newdream.orgwww.newdream.org