Efficiency Wedge

Efficiency - Buildings, Industry & Grid

This is one solution that the Obama Administration is pursuing, but as expected, not vigorously enough. There are also a number of organizations pushing for greatly increased efficiency, like 1Sky, the Post Carbon Institute, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, and others. Some of my solutions below, again, are more idealistic than realistic, but as the economy crumbles, these ideas will become less unlikely. And I just haven't made time for finding the details on improving industrial efficiency or the grid, as these are easy to get behind without knowing much at all. Reducing energy use is a no-brainer. And I'm not using my brain much to go beyond that. Anyone interested in sending some great links or simple info to fill in the blanks below, please do!

International
Insist that there be language in the treaty to be signed this December at the international climate meeting in Denmark that:

• Agrees to a goal of stopping the CO2 level before it hits 400 ppm, then reducing GHG emissions to a CO2 equivalent of 350 ppm by 2080. Emphasize that this agreement cannot be diluted with “market” solutions.

• Requires nations to set targets for building efficiency, industrial efficiency and electrical grid efficiency by 2011.


In Your Country
Pressure your elected officials to adopt:

• The aforementioned efficiency plan, details of ideas below:

Buildings—
Put a moratorium on new construction until the details of a new building code are worked out and the code is law. Ensure that the new building code:
A. emphasizes local, low-embodied energy materials and salvaged materials,
B. sets a national annual tax of $100 per sq. ft. for any new residence exceeding 1500 sq ft.,
C. ensures that all new homes in the US are built to the German passivhaus standard (which requires no heating system),
D. requires all new buildings not needing shading from trees have either solar PV panels and solar hot water systems on their roofs or have no electricity or water heating devices. (Does away with code requirements for electricity and running water and puts into law that trees are more valuable than electricity generation.) Timescale: comes into force by 2015.

Introduce a building section of the Green New Deal, with two primary actions:
A. Re-train builders. As a major component of a Green New Deal, delivering jobs as well as carbon cuts, the government will immediately launch training schemes for tens of thousands of specialist builders, insulators, window-fitters, plasterers and decorators. Timescale: comes into force by July 2009.
B. A home improvement scheme like Germany’s, but twice as fast. Every year between January 2012 and 2020, 10% of homes will be fully insulated and fitted with good windows or secondary glazing, at state expense. Landlords will have a legal obligation to join or lose their right to take tenants. Announce that when the scheme is complete, gas and electricity bills will be subject to an escalating tax: the more you use, the more you will have to pay for every unit.
Timescale: pass legislation this year or next, begin implementation January 2012.

[Thanks again to George Monbiot for many of these ideas.]

Industry— [more research needed]


Grid — [more research needed]



Lifestyle Changes that Affect this Wedge
• Add insulation, efficient windows and weatherstripping if you can afford it.