A Going-Green Trial

Norman Perazzo wrote an op-ed piece for Schenectady’s Daily Gazzette entitled, “Changing the way you live.” He embarked on a monthlong going-green plan to reduce his energy consumption (and bills) by half. In order to so do, he walked and biked more often, took short showers, turned down the thermostat and unplugged appliances when he wasn’t using them.
 
Perazzo found that while his usage did decline by half, his bills did not necessarily follow suit. The main energy supplier in the area uses a fixed-rate system, which does little to reflect changes in the usage of individuals. Not exactly an incentive for people! He also found the carpooling options a bit dismal, but as he was biking along, he was able to notice more traffic light inefficiencies and overall traffic problems that could be remedied by the Department of Transportation.
 
Perazzo makes a powerful point at the end about the changes we all must make: “If there weren’t inconveniences, we would never have gotten this dependent to begin with. But it is always validating to stop rationalizing habits that we know are selfish and wrong.”

Have you considered a monthlong energy-reducing plan? [Daily Gazette]