How Green Are You?

How Green Are You?
Check out Real Simple's carbon facts to see exactly how your (small) actions can make a (big) difference.
by Jennifer Bogo
Action: Follow the Speed Limit
Why it’s worth it: It may be tempting to drive 75 miles an hour, but sticking to the 65-mile-per-hour speed limit improves fuel economy by almost 15 percent. That will reduce your car’s emissions and help you save about $200 at the pump.
Your one-year effect: 1,500 pounds of CO2 saved.
The effect if everyone in the U.S. did it for one year: Equal to 28,121,158 cars taken off the road for one year.

Action: Use Power Strips
Why it’s worth it: Is your TV turned off? Think again. A percentage of your home’s electricity goes to devices that are not in use but are plugged in. To kill the current and lower your bill, plug them into a power strip and flip the switch.
Your one-year effect: 1,608 pounds of CO2 saved.
The effect if everyone in the U.S. did it for one year: Equal to 15,280,342 cars taken off the road for one year.

Action: Drive a Hybrid Electric Car
Why it’s worth it: The most fuel-efficient midsize hybrid gets a combined mileage of 46 miles a gallon; a typical midsize car gets 25 miles a gallon. By not using as much gas, you’re saving 4 1/2 barrels of oil a year, plus about $560.
Your one-year effect: 3,660 pounds of CO2 saved.
The effect if everyone in the U.S. did it for one year: Equal to 68,615,626 cars taken off the road for a year.

Action: Buy Green Power
Why it’s worth it: More than 50 percent of retail customers in the United States have an option of buying a green-power product from their utility. Find out if you have this option at epa.gov/greenpower.
Your one-year effect: 20,508 pounds of CO2 saved.
The effect if everyone in the U.S. did it for one year: Equal to 194,881,372 cars taken off the road for one year.