I started this blog in 2010 after reading an article by the National Academy of Sciences reporting results from a study indicating 33 specific household actions that will cut US carbon emissions by 123 million metric tons. I was inspired to step up to the plate and wanted to challange our family (and inspire others) to do our part. We made it only 17 days and then life ...(you know the story).


Fast forward three years: It's 2013 and I am re-inspired after attending three very eye opening films featured in our community's One Earth Film Festival. Our family is kicking off a new challange (more broad and perhaps less defined by a carbon metric) - to pursue one new action a day (for 365 days) that will positively affect climate change and sustainability. Let's see how far we make it!



Monday, April 26, 2010

Day 5: Routine Auto Maintenance

The report cites Routine Auto Maintenance as having the potential to reduce emissions by 8.6 million metric tons of carbon if 100% of the population maintains their automobile's recommended tire pressure, schedules routine oil changes, removes excess weight (which they subjectively guess 30% of cars carry at least 100 extra pounds), and  replaces oxygen sensors at recommended intervals.

Oil Change: we are overdue by 200 miles so I scheduled an oil change with Volvo
Tire Pressure: check
Excess Weight: Removed 2 toys and perhaps 1 pound of stale Trader O's from the backseat, no where near 100 pds.
Oxygen sensors: I had no idea what this even was.  If you care to learn more read here. When we take the car into Volvo, we will inquire about the last time our oxygen sensor was replaced.


Goal:  Check Tire Pressure, Schedule routine oil changes, remove excess weight and replace oxygen sensors, routinely
CO2 Savings/year: 0 (because we didn't make any changes)
Cost/year: $35 for oil change plus the cost of replacing an oxygen sensor TBD
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