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!



Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Day 6: Continue to examine our driving behavior, Maintain/Reduce 55-mph speed for highway driving

I'm not sure how this is going to fly in Chicago but we will give it a try - actually with all the work on the Eisenhower we can't even reach 30 mph! - but the report states that fuel consumption could be reduced by 3.2% if drivers maintained highway speeds of 55 mph. If I'm reading the numbers correctly, I think this change reduces .7% of individual household emissions.


Goal: Maintain 55-mph on the highway
CO2 Savings/year: -.082
Cost/year: $0, actually if we reduce 21% of our fuel consumption at $3.68/gallon this step saves us$93
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