goGreen

SUMMER 2008 Common Sense Meets Conservation

Shedding Light on Fluorescents

Get the Most From Go Green, Save Green Turn it Off and Save During Peak Times

If all SDG&E customers go paperless, we would save approximately 500 tons (one million pounds!) of paper every year. Plus going paperless saves time, money and postage, and its easy to do.

goGreenis printed on
recycled paper, 10% post consumer, and with soy-based inks. We hope you enjoy go and will keep it to refer to and make sure it does not go in the landfills.

Contents

SUMMER 2008

VOLUME 1 - NUMBER 1

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Publisher Jeffrey Barasch Editorial Director Wendy Murphy Art Director Bruce McGowin Manager Editorial Services Justin Colby Project Director Bret Barasch Designer Lisanne Schnell Business Manager Liz Lynch Copy Editor Mary McNamara GoGreen is published in partnership with SDG&E by: Onward Publishing, Inc., 10 Lewis Road, Northport, NY 11768 631.757.3030 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 2008 XXXXXXXXXXXX. All rights reserved.

Find out how much of a difference changing just a few ordinary light bulbs can make on your familys carbon footprint.

How many concerned citizens does it take to screw in a light bulb?

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By 2011, SDG&E plans to obtain 20% of its electricity from renewable sources. Find out what this means to you.

Growing Renewable Energy to Meet Future Needs

Exposed! Energy Hogs Could be Lurking in Your Home!

Plugging into the Sun

A quick look at some of the ordinary things in your home that can be a drain on power and your wallet when not managed properly.

Find out about the solar revolution, and how you can be a part of this wave of the future.

A No-Bull Effort: Does Your Company Measure Up?

Organizations are finding out that becoming more sustainable pays dividends both immediately and in the long-term.

Instant Karma: Investing in Californias Tomorrow

Make sure you are doing all you can to walk the walk and talk the talk.

Fresh Air: Fun and Games

A crossword puzzle and fun quiz let you test your green IQ.

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A look at some of the new technologies and opportunities resulting from the price pressure on traditional gasoline.

Fuels Gold: Rising Gas Prices Trigger Demand for Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Think Fast: Ten Quick Ways to Change for the Better

Ten things you can do today to reduce your footprint and improve the planet.

In the future, your power meter will communicate with the grid, resulting in savings and new convenience. And the future is now.

Keeping Up with the Jetsons: A Power Grid Smartens Up

SCREW lightbulb?
in a
WHY CFLs?
CFLs can be used in most incandescent fixtures already in your home. CFLs use up to 2/3
less energy and can save up to $65 in energy costs per year.

How Many Concerned Citizens Does It Take to

CFLs cut energy

consumption almost in half with the use of dimmable lights.

CFLs distribute the

light more efficiently and evenly than standard fixtures.

Doing your part can have a simple start

Can individuals really have an impact on reducing global warming? In one small way, it doesnt take more than screwing in a lightbulb. Or as we say,

CFLs produce 70% less heat than their incandescent equivalents.

Change a lightchange the world.

Go Green

In fact, if each of Californias 12 million households replaced five incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFLs) bulbs, the state would save 6.18 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and reduce carbon dioxide by more than 2.25 million tons the equivalent of taking nearly 415,000 cars off the road.

consume to light rather than heat. Theres a reason for that warm glow up to 90% of the energy used by traditional incandescent bulbs is wasted in producing heat. This means that CFLs provide the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs, but have lower wattage ratings. For example, a 23-watt CFL produces as much light as a 100-watt incandescent bulb. They use less energy and cause less pollution while still producing the same amount of light. Lets take it a little further. If every American home replaced five high-use light fixtures or bulbs with ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR, wed keep more than one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere equal to the emissions of 8 million cars. Thats a $6 billion energy savings, and its equivalent to the annual output of more than 21 power plants.

Out with the old

And now theres a lighting exchange program that can make it easy to be part of this effort. Youll be able to make a one-for-one exchange for up to five incandescent bulbs (75 watts or higher) or two halogen fixtures once a year per household. All you need is a California ID and an SDG&E bill. For bulb exchange events in your area or for more information, call 1-800-411-7343. Will include relevant dates from Calendar once final drop date is determined.

Using your energy smarts

Whats more, besides helping the environment, exchanging your incandescent light bulbs for energy-saving CFLs may lower your annual lighting costs as well as help the environment. CFLs provide high-quality light, require less energy than typical incandescent bulbs, cost only one-fourth as much to operate, and last up to 10 times longer. Energy-efficient light bulbs are cheap to run because they convert most of the electricity they

Pitch In, But Dont Pitch Those Bulbs!

While CFLs are a great energy-saving solution, each fluorescent bulb contains a
small amount of mercury. For this reason, as of 2006, it is unlawful for Californians to dispose of CFLs in their regular trash. To help you adhere to the law, here are some guidelines for you to follow, as well as a list of resources for disposal when the time comes to replace your new CFLs.

Recycling resources
Take back your fluorescent lighting to these retail recycling partners: IKEA: 2149 Fenton Parkway, San Diego, CA 92108 Birch Aquarium: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037 Please call I Love A Clean San Diego at 800.237.BLUE or visit www.wastefreesd.org for additional information. Common Sense Meets Conservation

Do not place lamps containing mercury into your blue solid waste recycling bin. Check with your local waste management agency or municipal government entity to find
out where to take these items in your area.

Prior to drop-off at city recycling centers, wrap the bulb in a sealed plastic bag to reduce the risk of bulb breakage or contamination and to protect yourself from potential cuts. If your bulb breaks, handle it carefully and be certain to sweep up all the glass fragments. Dont vacuum, because that can disperse particles. Place the broken pieces in a plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up any stray shards of glass or powder.

EXPOSED ! Energy Hogs could be

Lurkingin Your Home
Did you know that Buildings account for 12% of all freshwater use, 30% of all raw materials consumed, 48% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and 70% of all electricity use? It follows then that looking around our houses, we can find lots of energy hogs, and lots of little ways to reduce the impact that our homes have on the environment. To see an interactive view of a home, and learn about energy consumption of everyday appliances, visit http://sdge.com/residential/interactivehome/
In the Bedroom, an electric space heater can get expensive $.38 per hour instead, use an electric blanket for cold nights, which uses only $.01-.02 per hour In the office, turn off your computer when you won t be using it for a while. A computer left running all day can use up to $1.50 worth of electricity a day! In the Bedroom, if you use a window air conditioner in your house, look closely at the energy ratings. An inexpensive energy hog air conditioner will use far more energy and cost more over the long term. In the Bathroom, hair styling appliances like curling irons, straightening irons and blow-dryers are okay to use, but accidentally left on overnight, they are both dangerous and costly. Always unplug after each use. In the Garage/Laundry Room, a dryer costs as much as $.71 per 30 minute load. A washer can use as much as $.30 on warm water setting. Hang clothes outside in nice weather, and wash full loads with cold water when appropriate.

In the Kitchen, an electric burner on high heat uses $.30 an hour, while the difference between an efficient ENERGY STAR refrigerator and an old, outdated model can be as high as $15-$20 each month! In the Living Room, choose an LCD when you upgrade your TV. They have comparable images to a plasma, and a plasma uses 5 times as much power! That s more than enough savings to upgrade to HBO

Xtreme Energy Makeover Xtreme Energy Makeover is a project designed to demonstrate the energy efficiency
and conservation opportunities available for older homes built before the strict modern building efficiency codes. An older house was selected from hundreds of applicants, and renovated to employ several energy-saving improvements. During open houses, the general public and contractors are invited in to understand the feasibility and affordability of many of the changes made to the house, and also to ask questions of energy experts in attendance. To find out more about the program, including when the next open house will be held, visit www.xtremeenergymakeover.com .

Go Green

Investing in Californias Tomorrow

Instant Karma:

While our homes use a great deal of power, water and other resources when combined, a single business or organization can have an impressive impact by going green due to their sheer size. And these organizations are learning that being smart about conservation is not only a smart long-term choice, its also can pay dividends immediately in a better relationship with the community, happier employees, and lower utility bills.
Common Sense Meets Conservation

Hunter Industries:

Big Time Energy Conversation

No stone was left unturned when Hunter Industries, one of the worlds leading manufacturers of landscape irrigation systems, built energy conservation into its new 140,000 square foot facility. This building represents our organizations commitment to sustainable design, says Greg Hunter of Hunter Industries.

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Harnessing the power of the sun

The facility is unique because it combines solar power with daylight harvesting techniques. Two separate rooftop solar power systems generate electricity through photovoltaic cells. The first system provides 100% of the electricity to light the entire building. The second puts locally generated solar power back into the power grid for use by the community. Together, these systems offset all of the office areas energy use, including lighting, climate control, and all other electrical systems. And, every year, theyre helping to prevent more than 300,000 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Whats more, the facilitys innovative daylight harvesting system uses 162 skylights to flood the entire warehouse with even, natural light. Multiple lenses in each skylight block the heat and diffuse the sunlight. Although these skylights provide 100% of the lighting needed in the warehouse during normal business hours, each skylight also houses a high output fluorescent lighting system equipped with light and motion sensors.

Managing the suns impact

Meanwhile, to minimize heat gain, the office windows feature an insulated glazing system, and the roofing system is a highly reflective cool roof. The exterior also includes a greenwave wall a metal grid thats attached about six inches away from the outside wall. It provides a growing and climbing surface for trumpet vines, which grow really fast. The foliage shades the wall of the building, shielding it from the suns heat.

Green through and through

The facility uses low-flow water fixtures and dualflush toilets to achieve a 30% reduction in water use. The cooling system uses evaporative cooled condensers, saving about 28% over traditional airconditioning systems. The concrete building walls use flyash, a byproduct of coal-burning power plants that would otherwise be dumped in landfills. The use of flyash reduces the need for Portland cement in construction, which saves energy as well. And, about 75% of the reinforcing steel in the walls is recycled.

Go Green

Solana Beach Schools:

Conservation by Example
The Solana Beach School District serves more than 2,700 students at its six elementary schools. One important educational component is raising environmental awareness among students, parents, and staff. Toward that end, the districts Superintendent Leslie Fausset embarked on a comprehensive Go Green effort.

The result is an energy-efficient facility and an environmentally friendly workplace a building thats as good for the community as it is for its owners and employees.

A high achievement lesson plan

Some of the upgrades were relatively simple, like retrofitting more than 4,000 light fixtures, putting lights and sprinkler systems on timers, and implementing a district-wide recycling program. Other approaches used advanced technology to control energy use, like continually upgrading a computer-controlled energy management system (EMS) that was already in place, which constantly monitors and controls the heating, ventilation, and lighting needs in all the buildings on each campus. In 2005, the District took advantage of SDG&Es Savings By Design program, which helped to integrate green building principles into the construction of its newest and largest school, Solana Pacific Elementary. This campus made extensive use of natural daylight for illumination, while minimizing the effects of direct sunlight that would drive up the cost of cooling. The results were higher energy-efficiency standards, lower operating costs, and an award for classroom design from the state of California. Were very proud of what our school district has achieved, says Bill Banning, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services. Yes, we have limited budgets, but our commitment to the environment and our kids is boundless. Moving forward, the District is incorporating the latest green building principles into the planning and design of its seventh school, located in the Pacific Highlands Ranch community.

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Common Sense Meets Conservation

Fuels Gold:
RisingGas Prices Trigger Demand for Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Environmental factors are excellent reasons for considering alternative-fuel vehicles. But today, economics namely record-breaking gas prices are escalating the demand for alternatives to conventional gasoline-driven vehicles.
And there is nothing more important to the US economy than ridding ourselves of our dependence on foreign oil. The escalating price of gasoline has caused virtually everything we buy to cost more and is hampering growth in Americas economy. One of the key answers to this dilemma is alternative fuel.

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Electric vehicles = less pollution

Electric Vehicles (EVs) generally cost less to own, operate and maintain than combustion-powered vehicles, even in cases where the initial purchase price is somewhat higher. The electric motors that power EVs have very few moving parts and dont need engine oil, anti-freeze or transmission fluid, so they require relatively little maintenance and are far less likely to leak. Excellent reliability means down time is less likely, too. EVs emit no pollutant from the tailpipe, so theyre cleaner for the environment and better for everyones respiratory health. And EVs run far more quietly than conventional vehicles.

BEST GAS & DIESEL PRICES IN TOWN

ARM L EG 1 BORN
9/10

ST

Clean Transportation Project

The Clean Transportation Project (CTP) in California promotes the use of hybrid electric and electric vehicle drive technology and manages pilot projects for both commercial and residential applications. In one program,

two 2007 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles were studied for six months and then converted to Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), which feature a larger battery and are filled up using a standard wall outlet. The fuel efficiency of the two cars increased from 44 miles per gallon to almost 70, with greater range between plug-ins. According to William Zobel, who helped manage the program for CTP, fuel efficiency should increase even more once these technologies are being produced and manufactured. Theyre coming, he says emphatically.

Go Green

NGVs Are a Gas

Meanwhile, compressed natural gas-powered vehicles, or natural gas vehicles (NGVs), can also have an immediate and positive impact on fuel efficiency, air quality, U.S. energy dependence on imported oil, and public health. Natural gas is one of the cleanest, least polluting fossil fuels, and costs less per gallon than gasoline. Fed up with Southern California traffic? As the owner of a dedicated natural gas vehicle, you may be entitled to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV or carpool) lanes, even if youre a solo driver. Many NGVs are being offered by major vehicle manufacturers. Other types of vehicles can be converted and certified by the California Air Resources Board. And several manufacturers produce heavyduty engines that operate on natural gas, which are suitable for delivery vehicles, refuse trucks, street sweepers, school buses and transit buses.

between the San Pedro Bay ports, which include the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, to nearby freight-consolidation yards. The new truck engines are certified to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys stringent 2010 on-road emission standards. Nitrogen oxide emissions from the trucks are 80 percent lower than the certification level for even the cleanest heavy-duty diesel engine. Theyre even performing better than the stringent emission requirements of both the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan and the California Air Resources Board. Approximately two-thirds of the 17 million containers coming into the San Pedro Bay Ports are moved by truck within 25 miles of the docks. As such, the use of a low-carbon natural gas fuel will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by approximately 20 percent compared to new diesel trucks, and it will help the state reach its goals under AB32, Californias Global Warming Solutions Act. Following the initial 12- to-18-month demonstration project, SDG&E hopes to then further reduce emissions by switching the fuel from natural gas to a a natural gas/hydrogen blend. This blend is highly regarded for the future, because the fuel has been proven to reduce nitrogen-oxides emissions from natural gas engines by an additional 30 to 50 percent.

SoWhat do you think?!

Let us know your thoughts about GoGreen magazine by visiting www.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x (or are we including a postcard) and well send you a free copy of Cycling to Work: A Chelsea Green Guide, a complete guide to make cycling to work a reality, and safe, for the beginning cyclist. Also, each response will be entered into a drawing to win a high-end bicycle and helmet, like the one pictured here dont hesitate, order today!

Keeping America Moving Toward the Future

In fact, a recently announced collaborative demonstration, conducted by California Cartage Co. and Autocar put into service the nations first clean-burning compressed natural gas trucks used to transport containers off-loaded from ships. Five trucks are currently being used to move containers

Common Sense Meets Conservation

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Keeping up with the Jetsons

a power grid smartens up.

We may be a long way off from space cars that fold up into briefcases. But San Diegans will have Smart Meters in their homes in the not-too-distant future digital devices that communicate energy use information to help you use it more efficiently. Unlike existing meters, smart meters have a computer chip, so youll be able to receive energy use information every hour at your home and every 15 minutes at a business. This information will help you understand your energy use patterns and make money-saving and environmentally friendly changes. In the foreseeable future, smart meters will also send you notification when your bill reaches a pre-determined amount, and youll also be able to control smart appliances at your home or business through the Internet. Eventually, when your home is equipped with a home area network (HAN), youll be able to connect to and control many different automated digital devices even when youre not at home. If youre on vacation, for example, youll be able to use a cell phone to switch appliances on or off, arm a home security system, control temperature gauges and lighting, or program a home entertainment system. Or, on a hot day, your smart meter could send a signal to your HAN to help you conserve energy. And it will be easier than programming that antique VCR thats blinking under your flat screen TV.

Installing the first Smart Meters

In May 2008, SDG&E began installing the first smart meters in a portion of Tierrasanta, where the smart meter technology is being tested in a mix of singlefamily homes, condominiums and small businesses. The completion of installations is expected in 2011. Customers will be notified of their installation date by mail one month before the installation and a reminder letter two weeks in advance. Customers will also receive an automated phone call 24-48 hours before the appointment.

Raising the IQ of your Home The Benefits of Smart Meters

Enjoy greater privacy Meter readers
will no longer have to enter your property.

Solve problems faster With smart meters, SDG&E can find outages quickly so they can identify and fix the problem faster. Save energy and money With the
energy use information collected by your smart meter, you to find the best ways of reducing your energy use.

Help the environment With the

information they provide, smart meters can help you save energy which saves natural resources and reduces the need to build new power plants or other equipment.

Common Sense Meets Conservation

12

renewable energy to meet future needs

More and more electricity is being generated from renewable sources including sunlight, wind, geothermal heat, landfill gas and biomass, such as tree trimmings to meet energy needs. San Diegans can expect a blend of such renewable energy as a vital part of the regions energy resources.
While the U.S. currently relies heavily on coal, oil, and natural gas for its energy, these fossil fuels are nonrenewable, that is, they draw on finite resources that will eventually dwindle, becoming too expensive or too environmentally damaging to retrieve. In contrast, renewable energy resources such as wind and solar energyare constantly replenished and will never run out.

Growing

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Go Green

By 2011, SDG&E plans to obtain 20% of its electricity from renewable sources.
Wind Turbines at Altamont Pass

Solar Most renewable energy comes either

directly or indirectly from the sun. Sunlight, or solar energy can be used directly for heating and lighting, and generating electricity.

Geothermal Geothermal energy taps

the Earth's internal heat for a variety of uses, including electric power production and the heating and cooling of buildings.

A growing amount of your electricity is coming from renewable or green energy sources such as sunlight and wind. The blades on wind turbines spin when the wind blows to generate electricity.

Wind The suns heat also drives the winds,

whose energy is captured with wind turbines.

Ocean The ocean can produce thermal

energy from the suns heat and mechanical energy from the tides and waves.

Biomass Grass, tree trimmings, or other

organic material from plants, known as biomass, can be used to produce electricity, transportation fuels, or chemicals.

Hydropower Flowing water creates energy

that can be captured and turned into electricity. Today, green energy tends to be more costly than conventional power because the technology is still new and developing. But every year, these costs are declining and becoming increasingly competitive.

Hydrogen Found in many organic

compounds and water, its the most abundant element on the Earth, and can be burned as a fuel or converted into electricity.

Common Sense Meets Conservation

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Plugging Into the SUN

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Go Green

Solar energy is the talk of the town in San Diego

new developments in solar technology, higher energy prices, and incentives from the State of California are together making this clean energy source more attractive than ever. There has never been a better time to become a part of the best kind of energy under the sun.
If your family is considering a making a move toward solar, the first step is to educate yourself. There are a number of technologies, which can be broken into two major applications that are used by homes and businesses.

Photovoltaic panels convert light from the sun directly into electricity using a
photochemical process similar to that used by plants. Advances in the technology behind these devices has advanced so far that, on a sunny day, enough sun falls on a typical California home to provide the electricity used in that house.

Solar Thermal Energy uses the suns energy for heat. During the day, while the
sun it at the brightest point, heat energy is stored in a large thermal mass, such as stone, and can be released later in the day. These systems are most commonly used for heat swimming pools and for space heating, but are finding broader applications every day. There are plenty of ways you can use renewable solar energy to reduce your consumption of nonrenewable oil and gas. And there are resources that can help you learn more about it and how you can acquire it. These resources include:

On a sunny day,
enough sun falls on a typical California home to provide the electricity used in that house.

So WATT! An Illuminating Look at Energy is a hands-on exhibition that examines San Diegos growing demand for electricity and lets visitors explore electricity production, alternative sources of energy, and basic conservation strategies people can try at home and at work. Made possible by grants from SDG&E and Shell Trading, with additional support from the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation, So WATT! features five interactive exhibits, including a touch-screen interface where visitors can monitor electricity being generated by 10,000 square feet of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the Science Center. The California Center for Sustainable Energy is an independent non-profit dedicated to fostering public policy and programs to facilitate the adoption of clean, reliable, sustainable and efficient energy technologies and practices. The Center sponsors Solar Energy Week, October 12-18, 2008, which includes Family Solar Energy Day, A Commercial Solar Tour, Solar Power Conference and Expo, and the 9th Annual San Diego Solar Homes Tour.

Common Sense Meets Conservation

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Solara First apartments

When searching for the perfect spot for a new project, Community HousingWorks took a blighted site in Poway, just north of San Diego, and turned it into a beautiful example of a sustainable community. SOLARA is a 56-unit affordable housing complex and consists of six two-story buildings and a 2,100 square foot community center. The project earned the first Zero Energy Net Home project designation by the California Energy Commission. Solara is an SDG&E Sustainable Communities Program project which also won national awards in 2007 from both the Solar Electric Power Association and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy for promoting green building initiatives. Among Solaras many sustainable features include:

fully powered by the sun

Looking to the Skies:

Governor Schwarzeneggers 3.3 Billion Solar Roof Program:
To ensure that California continues to be a leader in solar power, Governor Schwarzenegger has signed legislation to put his Million Solar Roofs Plan into action. This plan aims to reduce green house gas emissions by 3 million tons with the goal of one million solar roofs by 2018. This new law makes it easier for households to install solar panels, and also allows families to sell surplus power back to the grid during peak times. One million solar roofs mean 3,000 megawatts of clean energy. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from generating that power from solar rather than traditional methods is like removing one million cars from the road. SDG&E introduced a new electric rate option on May 1, 2008, for residential customers with solar electric generation systems. This new rate may help reduce energy costs by offering a bigger credit for excess electricity put onto the power grid during peak-use hours, especially during the summer. Get involved in the Million Solar Roofs Plan, and you can be a major part in putting pollution in the past. For details about these exciting opportunities, visit www.sdge.com/solar.

Mandatory green orientation for residents including a

green curriculum for children and families

Extensive recycling program Decking made from reclaimed wood and plastic Reuse of fly ash in concrete Play structure and soft surface made of recycled tires and bottles Tankless water heaters Dual flush toilets, low-flow taps and shower heads California native plants - no lawn Low VOC paint Formaldehyde-free insulation Low E windows and radiant barrier ENERGY STAR Appliances Passive design with natural ventilation and daylighting 142 kilowatt photovoltaic system Urban infill Near public transportation Walking distance to shopping, civic services and recreation Storm water treated onsite using filters and a bioswale

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Go Green

Does your company measure up?

The benefits of reducing the environmental impact of your workplace are many and
growing, especially overhead cost reductions achieved by lowering energy and water use, waste disposal, and even the number of parking spaces.
But going green in the office can also increase your competitiveness not only by lowering costs but also by improving your companys reputation in the marketplace. Your green credentials can:

A No-Bull Effort

Attract new customers by enhancing your reputation and brand awareness; Encourage socially responsible investors who like green companies; Create a feel-good factor in the workplace, encouraging staff retention
and recruitment.
Here are some simple steps you can take in the office to start:

Shut it down If 1,000 people turned off their computers when they went home,
they would same 180 metric tons of CO2 emissions every year.

Take the train On average, flying contributes about 10 times as much carbon dioxide
to the atmosphere as a similar journey by train.

Turn it down Simply by turning the thermostat down by 2F you can reduce your
energy bill by 10%.

Recycle cartridges There are over 300 million inket cartridges thrown away every year in
the United States. Most of these could be reused many times by being refilled or remanufactured.

Insulate Almost 40% of all the heat used to heat your office escapes through the walls and roof
spaces if they are not insulated.

Recycle cell phones In the US, over 425,000 are thrown away every day contributing to
the 1.5 billion pounds of e-waste every year, a number that is growing. Free e-recycling is available via Recycle San Diego (Toll Free: 1-866-525-6655). The San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park have installed cell phone collection boxes at their exits, so it's really easy to simply drop off those old phones and accessories, working or not.

Turn off equipment Develop a system for turning off electrical office equipment. Simple
colored stickers in a prominent position on all electrical machines shows employees whether machines should be left on or turned off. GREEN for machines, like computers, that can be switched off when not in use. AMBER for machines, like photocopiers, that are best left switched on during the day, as they take a long time to warm up, but can be switched off at the end of the day. RED for equipment, like answering machines, that must be kept turned on all the time.

Reduce and recycle paper Our consumption of paper in the US continues to rise by
about 20% every year. You can reduce use around the office by: printing double sided, having a paper recycling bin under your desk, keeping electronic copies of files as opposed to storing hard copies and including a message on the bottom of emails that states Is it worth a tree to print me?

Common Sense Meets Conservation

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Crossword Puzzle
Time to take a break and test your green IQ.
Complete the crossword below with words and phrases from this issue of goGreen. Stumped? Look below for the solution. No cheating!
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How Green Are You? Take Our Quiz

Being conscious of how your actions impact the environment is important you may not realize how many little changes can make a big difference. It seems that everyone is going green these days, but how do you measure up? Answer each question , and tally up your answers at the bottom of the page.
1. My car is an appropriate size for my needs (score an a if you dont drive). a. Definitely. Its compact and has incredible mileage. b. I think so, but I guess its more than I need sometimes. c. Not really. d. No, but it looks great. 2. When possible, I take public transportation or try to carpool instead of just driving alone. a. Of course! b. I try to sometimes. c. Id like to, but its easier just to drive myself. d. Never. I always drive everywhere. 3. Recycling is it a major part of my daily life. a. Yes. Im a recycling fanatic. b. I recycle most of the time. c. Once in a while, but I tend to forget. d. Recycling? What a pain. 4. I unplug things, like phone chargers or computers when Im not using them. a. Always. Saves energy. b. Most of the time. c. Not usually, but I try to remember to. d. No Way. Its annoying to pick them back up. 5. I turn off lights when leaving a room, and avoid using unnecessary lights. a. Its second nature. b. Sometimes, if I remember. c. I dont really ever think about it. d. The more lights the better! 6. I have replaced all the light bulbs in my house with compact fluorescent light bulbs. a. Every last one. b. I make an effort when a bulb blows to replace it with a CFL. c. I have a couple of those squiggly things somewhere in my house. d. Those things are not for me. 7. When buying your groceries, I take them home in re-usable bags instead of going for plastic. a. Definitely. b. Yeah, Ive gotten better about it, when I remember them. c. I dont have my own bags, but I try to use paper. d. Plastic is so much easier. And I dont know about that organic stuff. 8. I think about where my food comes from, and buy local, organic produce whenever possible. a. Always, local organic produce is better for my family and the planet. b. I buy organic sometimes, and make an effort to look for locally grown veggies. c. I consider these alternatives when they are affordable, but the price difference gets in the way. d. All that organic, local mumbo jumbo is just hippie stuff. 9. Time to clean! Im going to reach for: a. Renewable products that wont adversely impact the water supply. b. I have some that I use once in a while. c. I know I should, but I dont. d. Id reach for toxic waste if it would get this *%& stain out. 10. Instead of constantly throwing away plastic bottles of water, do you use a re-usable water bottle? a. Every day. b. Once in a while, but not all the time. c. I have one, but I never use it. d. Its so much easier just to use the ones you can throw away. 11. I consider the impact of my travel and opt to take trains when possible. a. Even if it adds a couple of hours to my travel, I find trains more convenient and responsible b. Ive never really looked into it, but I would if it would make a difference. c. Trains arent practical for me, but Ive cut down the number of unnecessary car and plane trips. d. I dont have time to think about the carbon footprint of my travel. 12. I seek out news about new developments and technologies to help reduce my carbon footprint? a. I look for new green news almost every day. b. Im pretty knowledgeable about it. c. I know how important it is to know, but I really dont know too much. d. Not at all and I dont think I need to be.

Add up your responses Score 3 points for each A, 2 for each B, 1 for each C and 0 points for each D.
36-30 Green: 24-30 Light Green: 18-24 Beige: 12-24 Light Brown: Less than 12 Drab Brown: Congratulations! Youve made a considerable effort to reduce your impact on the environment and it shows. Spread the word to neighbors and friends, and help them be more green like you. You are taking lots of steps in the right direction remember, little fixes can result in big changes, so keep up the good work! It seems like you are making some effort, but theres more you can do to change your habits. Check out this magazine for tips to help you green up! You might have a few bad habits that are holding you back. from being as green as you can be. Youve got lots of work to do! Get with the program greening your life isnt just about saving the planet, its living better and saving money! Common Sense Meets Conservation

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Ten Quick Ways to Change for the Better

can make a huge difference by using less energy. Who would have thought it could be this easy to reduce
By just making a your impact

Think Fast:
few small changes, you

on the environment.

1. Turn off unneeded lights, computers

and appliances when not in use.

2. Set your thermostat at 78 F

when youre home and 85 F when you're away.

3. Use major appliances

after 7 PM.

4. Unplug small
appliances when not in use.

21

Go Green

5. Use ceiling fans to help circulate

air throughout the house.

6. Check weather-stripping around

doors and caulking around windows. Properly sealed doors and windows help prevent warm outside air from entering the home.

7. Close blinds, shades or drapes

during the hottest part of the day to block the suns heat.

8. Turn off all unnecessary

lights when leaving your home.

9. Use cold water whenever possible to

wash clothes or rinse dishes.

10. Use low-flow devices on

your faucets and showers. They can cut up to 11% of your water use, which will help reduce your energy and water bills.
Common Sense Meets Conservation

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