What can I do?

The current economic crisis has many Utah residents looking for ways to cut back and save money. It’s no coincidence that the “going green” movement is also in full swing. Because Utah is a generally more conservative state, and the “green” movement is considered a leftist movement against global warming, some Utah residents feel hesitant to join the movement. It’s not that residents are against the environment, I believe it’s because there are some who are simply unaware of the possibilities to conserve energy and the rewards of doing so on an economic scale. There are numerous ways that each person can contribute to saving the environment and saving money by conserving energy in their daily lives, right here in Utah. What are the consequences of “green” lifestyle changes on Utah’s economy?


Transportation
In 2007, there were nearly 806 million cars and trucks on the roads, worldwide, burning over 260 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel each year! As of 2006, there were nearly 251 million cars in the United States, making America home to the most amount of cars in the world. About 90 percent of Americans own cars, and in Utah alone, there are approximately 665,671 households with at least one car (US Census Bureau)! With so many cars on Utah’s roads, each one burning fuel, cars are one of the main contributors to pollution and wasted energy. If Utahans modified their cars and driving habits, not only would the environment benefit, but they would see the personal and statewide economic benefits as well.
Hybrid cars are an excellent way that we can all conserve energy. With the “going green” movement, nearly every car company has released at least one version of a hybrid car. The difference between these cars and conventional cars is that hybrid cars run on two sources of power. Instead of running solely on fuel, most hybrid cars run on fuel and electricity, drastically reducing the amount of energy used, making them both environmentally friendly and economically valuable. The amount of emissions produced by a hybrid car is significantly less than that of a regular, petroleum fueled car. The average passenger petroleum fueled 1996 model car emits .89 VOC g/km. (Carlsonn) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) is any substance emitted into the air that participates in photochemical reactions. These emissions are not only environmentally harmful, but are also unhealthy for all who breathe them in. Likewise, the average 1996 passenger car emits .26 g/km of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), while a brand new hybrid car produces only .01 g/km of this environmentally harmful compound (Carlsonn). When NOx and VOCs combine together in large quantities, the result is smog, which not only pollutes our air, but makes it harder for us to breath because it decreases the quality of our air.
Poor air quality as a result of high traffic areas is extremely prevalent in urban areas, such as Salt Lake City. Because of the valley shape of Utah and Salt Lake counties, this polluted air becomes trapped and remains longer than it would in an area with different geography. Utah often experiences several days at a time of smoggy air. Poor air pollution patterns are hard on many Utah residents. Those suffering from asthma or other respiratory conditions may have a more difficult time breathing because they do not have access to adequate sources of high quality air. Those without pre-existing conditions also suffer from the polluted air. Poorer air quality means shorter recreation times, difficulty breathing, and, over time, can damage the respiratory system.
Some people may think that pollution has little effect on the economy; however all of these repercussions have negative economic consequences. Cleaner air results in healthier people and healthy people are more economically beneficial because they forgo doctor visits, pricey prescriptions, and can more fully enjoy the opportunities around them. Utah is usually ranked as one of the healthiest states and its residents pride themselves in their active lifestyles, so decreasing the amount of pollution in the air would only enhance the outdoor activity market of the state. Tourism is one of the leading economic boosters to the state. Thousands of people travel to the state each year to enjoy time outdoors at one of the five national parks, biking, hiking, or skiing. If the quality of the air decreases, so will the amount of tourist and Utah’s economy will take a big hit.
Hybrid cars may seem impractical and unaffordable, but this is not true. Hybrid cars are affordable and accessible to nearly every Utah resident. The brand new 2010 model of the Toyota Prius, one of the first hybrids on the market, retails starting at $22,000, a very reasonable and competitive price. The Toyota Camry, a non hybrid model, starts at $19,395. The Ford Fusion Hybrid starts at $19,270, which is less expensive than many petroleum fueled cars! Hybrid cars have recently appeared on the used car market, making them an option for people on a budget. For those who do not want to sacrifice luxury for practicality, companies such as BMW, Lexus, and Acura, all have hybrid versions of their cars.
Not only are these cars competitive in pricing, but they also save money on gas. A hybrid car generally gets 50 mpg, while a more conventional car receives about 30 mpg. More mileage means less money at the pumps and more money in your pocket, and with gas prices back on the rise (2.13-2.54 $/g in the last month alone according to Utahgasprices.com), Utah drivers are no doubt nervous that prices will again sore above 4 $/g. Utah families who travel many miles a day, working and running errands, will be able to save money on filling up their tanks and put it into savings or other expenses.
One of the reasons hybrid cars are so fuel efficient is because of the compact size of the cars. For many Utah families, a compact car is simply impractical. There is no way that a mother of five is going to be able to put two car seats, football gear, and soccer balls, into a compact hybrid car. Fortunately for larger families, as hybrid technology has developed, many car companies have begun to offer hybrid versions of popular SUVs, making the opportunity to switch over both practical and affordable. Although these hybrid SUVs don’t maintain an EPA-estimated mpg average as low as a compact hybrid, they do significantly increase the mileage of an SUV up to 10 mpg! This makes it easier for mobile families to reap the economic benefits of a greener lifestyle. Hybrid trucks are also available for companies who may need to haul or deliver equipment. Cutting the cost of gasoline prices will also benefit these companies which will therefore benefit families and the entire Utah economy.
In order to incite Utah drivers to buy more eco-friendly cars, insurance companies and government agencies are offering incentives to consumers who purchase hybrid cars. The Utah government offers up to $3,000 tax credit to those who purchase a hybrid car. Salt Lake City offers free metered parking to cars who receive at least an EPA- estimated 50 mpg. Hybrid car owners can also receive access to the HOV, or carpool, lanes on the freeway, regardless of the amount of passengers in the car. All of these benefits save hybrid car drivers time and money, making them an economically beneficial investment.


Home Improvements
Homes today have become pods of energy consumption. With so many appliances and toys, it’s no wonder that Utah households spend so much money on energy each month. Although Utah has enjoyed lower than average electrical costs in past years, a recent bill proposed by President Obama is expected to increase monthly electrical costs. Utah will be one of the hardest hit states with an estimated $300 a month increase for the average family’s electrical bill! In an already economically tough time, this drastic spike in electrical prices will burden many Utah families. In preparation for these possible price increases and to develop money saving habits, Utah families should begin to practice energy conservation in their very own homes. There are many ways you can conserve energy in your home that will be economically beneficial in the long run.
In order to ensure that you are getting the most out of your heating and air systems, it is vitally important that your home is properly insulated. Insulation delays heat flow in and out of the home, consequently making the home more energy efficient because heat is not escaping from the home. With proper insulation you will not need to use as much energy to heat your home. The price of insulation is about .99 per square foot, and while properly insulating your entire home may cost a lot of money up front, the savings will be worth it in the long run. “If extra insulation is combined with airtight home design and cost-effective, passive-solar heating and cooling measures, one can greatly reduce, even eliminate, the need for additional heating or cooling,” (Chrias). Insurance companies may cover a portion of the cost to properly insulate your home, and some even offer special discounts for homes that are more eco-friendly.
Switching from the standard incandescent light bulb to the newer more energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs, is another great way for families to cut energy costs in the long run. While incandescent lights are much cheaper at the stores (about $3 for a pack of six) than the CFLs ($8 for a pack of four) the CFL lasts about ten times as long and uses about 50 watts less of electricity. The average household could save about $100 a year by switching to CFLs, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. CFLs are a much more environmentally friendly and economically beneficial form of lighting that will help save Utah consumers money.
Upgrading appliances to newer, more energy efficient models is another great way to cut costs in the home. About 40% of all the energy used in the home comes from appliances such as the stove, refrigerator, and washer and dryers (Martin). Upgrading to more eco-friendly models will drastically cut monthly energy bills (Martin). It is true that these appliances are expensive, and especially during these economically difficult times, people may have a hard time coming up with the money to purchase one, even though they will be beneficial in the long run. Home owners could begin on a smaller scale, replacing one appliance at a time as they save up the money to do so. Each change will make a difference in monthly energy bills. Insurance companies may also offer incentives and the government does offer tax breaks on these appliances. Rebates and specials offers are other great incentives to purchase these appliances, which will pay for themselves in the long run.


Recycling
Many Utah residents are hesitant to recycle because it costs extra money. Most Utah residents are simply unaware of the economical benefits of recycling. According to the Recycling Coalition of Utah, trash services cost tax payers more money yearly than recycling. The US spends an estimated $10 billion a year on trash disposal. Recycling lowers the amount of trash dumped into landfills, extending the life of each landfill and reducing the amount of landfills necessary. The fewer landfills, the more money Utah residents save. Recycling is also energy efficient. Recycling an old product is always more energy efficient than creating a new one. In fact, recycling an old aluminum can uses 95% less energy than creating a new one from scratch (Recycling Coalition of Utah). Saving energy saves gas, fuel, and coal, which therefore saves consumers money. The benefits of recycling are unfortunately unknown to many Utah residents even though they outweigh the initial monthly cost.


So What?
Living a green lifestyle is much more than a stand against global warming. Greener lifestyles are also more economical than traditional ways of life. Utah residents should begin to follow the lead of other states and live more “green”. Some residents are already beginning to do so. "People are starting to come around and see how green can help them personally," said Tim Kenyon, a market analyst for the consumer survey called Green Gauge 2008 (Fahys). Living a “green” lifestyle saves consumers money, and saving money encourages provident living, an idea that has been encouraged by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has a very strong and prevalent presence in the state of Utah. Changes such as buying a hybrid car, recycling, and making changes around the home are all “green” ideas that each one of us can incorporate into our own lives. When we do so, we will see the economic benefits. These simple everyday changes are economically beneficial for Utah’s economy, and therefore will help save consumers money. In these tight economic times, “going green” proves to be a bright idea for everyone.