http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X-kEeKD9vI

The fourth in a series of EnviroTV segments “5 Things You Should Know About Climate Change” features an interview with Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, former Texas Commissioner of Health. Dr. Sanchez is an advisor to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The video runs 2 minutes 13 seconds.

I recently reunited with an old college buddy, Rod Reyna of Pflugerville. As we talked, I learned he and his family have made several changes around the house to reduce their energy use, and related carbon footprint. I asked Rod to share his experience:

EnviroMedia: Tell me about your electric bill (how much it used to be, how much it is now (roughly)).

Rod Reyna: In May, for my 2300 sq. foot house, it was $69. In previous three months it was $29-$35. I go over $100 two months out of the year.

EnviroMedia:  What did you do around the house to become more energy efficient?

Rod Reyna: Things add up: roof radiant barrier, thick insulation, energy efficient A/C (with programmable thermostat) and fridge (no extra freezer) and dryer and dishwasher, power strips on all electronic equipment including microwave. Everything is off when not needed: TV, DVR, VCR, DVD, stereo, microwave, etc. Laptops are unplugged when not needed. Only thing left on at night is fridge, stove clock, and outside lights. I’ve bought 40 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), mostly 5 watts (from Wal-Mart). My home is white limestone exterior, so that and white blinds/curtains reflects the heat. I have solar screens on windows.

EnviroMedia: What else?

Rod Reyna: I’ve wrapped my water heater, put in lower flowing showerheads and sink aerators, am getting a rain barrel, water in morning, cut grass when needed because taller grass needs less water. I bought a Kill-a-Watt device that measures how much electricity any a device uses. My DVR uses a lot. I’ve got a solar panel bid but since there are no extensive rebates in Pflugerville, I get a better ROI by reducing my electricity. Would I like to go solar, yes, plus have a windmill. Thought about solar attic fans but may put in wind turbines instead. Waiting to buy a very fuel efficient car or renewable energy powered car. I mainly drive to Austin on my superscooter that gets 65 mpg.

EnviroMedia: What was your motivation to make these changes?

Rod Reyna: I am thrifty person who wants to reduce my family’s carbon footprint. I like to see the electric meter spinning super slow (perhaps backwards someday). I keep thinking that there is more that can be done though. I watch “Living with Ed” or read “HomePower” magazine, for example, to get ideas. I’m also motivated since one of my kids has asthma and I’m thinking the environment played a role.

EnviroMedia: Have there been any sacrifices in the process, or things you miss?

Rod Reyna: I can’t just click my remote or microwave or DVR. I have to flip a switch first. I don’t have lights or A/C on as much and use fans more and/or open windows. If I want to read I find a spot with one of my stronger bulbs, since CFLs I use are dimmer than others. In my bathroom, instead of my eight lights above my mirror using 320-800 watts (40w-100w bulbs), my 5watt bulbs equal 40watts total. I have a stronger light on my sink for when I shave or my wife putts on makeup.

EnviroMedia: How important is reducing greenhouse gases for global climate change?

Rod Reyna: We need to do more in the U.S. since we contribute a high amount of greenhouse gases. We need to set an example and make wise choices.

EnviroMedia: Where did you develop your environmental ethic?

Rod Reyna: During college, when I hung out at the University Catholic Center at UT Austin, the priest would always go around turning off lights to save money. My father-in-law does the same. I notice that at work, our staff wastes a lot of energy. My thriftiness and knowing that the world only has a finite amount of resources has me wanting my family to do my part, plus save money.

EnviroMedia: A 2008 national poll of Hispanics said energy and global warming is viewed as one of the two most important environmental problems for Hispanic families, and four-fifths of these voters consider it to be a major problem. What do you think?

Rod Reyna: I am Hispanic and I agree with the findings–that energy and global warming are major problems that need to be addressed on a broader level and personal level. I think we should shift to a clean energy economy, etc.

EnviroMedia:  Would you support climate change legislation if it meant the price of electricity would increase by 30-40 percent?

Rod Reyna: That’s a tough one, because electricity just went up that much. My electric company just left the market and I’ve had to sign on at a higher rate. I’m willing to pay more if the company is investing heavily and/or employing renewable energy, not just buying credits.

This is the first in a series of interviews I’m posting about how Americans react to “change for the better” as is relates to adaptation to global warming.

(PORTLAND) I’ve seen it for myself: Portland’s transportation system is indeed a model for the U.S. You can’t walk downtown here without seeing an electric streetcar, light rail or bus rapid transit filled with customers. After a late dinner in the trendy new Perl district last night, I rode the last street car back to my hotel. It was jammed.

Portland continues its progressive attempts to get people out of their single-occupant vehicles today by trying a Car-Free Zone that will reduce pollution and hopefully get more families outside exercising on streets ususally filled with traffic.

According to a Portland Transportation Dept. press release:

Portland Sunday Parkways on June 22nd

(PORTLAND, OR) – If you’re looking for wide-open space to play in, streets free of traffic to walk and bike on, clean air to breathe, and tree-filled parks to enjoy, you’ll love Sunday Parkways! On Sunday, June 22^nd, for six hours and six miles in North Portland, streets will be traffic-free. The event, called Sunday Parkways, is set to be a fun-filled celebration of America’s most walk- and bike-friendly city.  From 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. everyone is invited to walk, bike, skateboard, skip, and run on a traffic-free route that connects four parks in North Portland.

Where could we try this one-day experiment across America without a mass revolt by drivers? Maybe Times Square in New York? Sixth Street in Austin? Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles? The Miracle Mile in Chicago?

This is a good way for commuters to “taste” the alternatives to driving their car, especially for short trips within their own neighborhood.

Presenters at Ad Club Seattle June 17 meeting on Green Marketing. (from l to r) Kate Perringer (Hartman Group), Deborah Morrison (Univ. Oregon), Stephanie Bitner (Starbucks), Hilary Brombert (Egg USA) and Kevin Tuerff (EnviroMedia)

University of Oregon Advertising Professor Deborah Morrison and I were invited to speak at the Ad Club Seattle luncheon this week, and judging from the turnout and related media attention, green marketing is a hot topic. We challenged the 250 advertising and marketing executives to avoid greenwashing, and gave them tips on how to do so.

Here’s one of two Seattle TV news reports:  http://www.komonews.com/news/20181229.html

We explained why we started the Greenwashing Index in January and gave some initial observations of what consumers were saying on the Web site. The best question from the audience was, “If all this sustainability and climate change stuff is going to become the law, why should our clients spend money trying to differentiate as green?”

My response: Smart companies that want to be ahead of the pack have between now until 2015 to demonstrate to consumers their brand’s commitment to sustainability. But companies have to get their own environmental house in order. You can’t just change your logo to green or plant a tree and expect consumers to give your brand credit for being an environmental steward. It’s my best guess that in 2012, the new international climate change protocol will kick in, and then it will take 2-3 years for Congress and states to finally implement all the details of the massive Climate Security Act.

I’m trying to get on the “no more plastic shopping bags” bandwagon, but I have a problem. After spending a day in the dump last year (see You Tube), I was convinced flying plastic bags is a bigger litter problem than a oil-plastics problem.

So I’ve purchased at least a dozen canvas bags from grocery stores. Problem is, I forget them at home or in the car when I head to the store.

That’s the whole challenge of the business we’re in: behavior change. It takes 6-7 reminders before you can get someone to quit smoking, start recycling or save water.

I saw Leslie Lockett of H-E-B at a Leadership Austin event recently and explained my conundrum. H-E-B has donated thousands of free canvas bags to customers and still sells them at every store. I told Leslie, “I’ve started storing my bags in my car, underneath the front seat, but I still end up walking into the store without them.”  I needed some sort of reminder, I told them.

Voila! Check this beautiful reminder that popped up a few weeks later at my H-E-B store.

About a dozen similar signs were scattered throughout the parking lot. It worked! Thanks  H-E-B! Here is a similar reminder from a Bainbridge Island, WA grocer:

If you live in Austin or most of Western Travis County, you shouldn’t be watering your lawn today (Monday). The city of Austin, LCRA West Travis County utility, City of Cedar Park and Water District 17 have all adopted a twice-a-week water conservation schedule for residences this summer (or longer). To help reduce public confusion, the water providers have all adopted the same schedule, based on the last number of your address: Tuesday-Friday (even) or Wednesday-Saturday (odd). It’s much easier to remember, like your garbage and recycling days, than the old 5-day schedule.

What’s wrong with Mondays?  Turns out so many people water their landscaping over the weekend, your water treatment system needs that day to recover. Call it a water hangover day.

I’ve noticed the Colorado River at Lake Travis is dropping a few feet, thanks in large part to evaporation. You can thank Mr. Sun for all these 100-degree days, which suck millions of gallons of our water through evaporation.

I flew out of Austin this morning to Seattle, and saw from above the Colorado River is completely dry, just north of the Highland Lakes. With all that rain a few months ago, I was surprised.

You may have noticed our updated Water IQ campaign from The City of Austin and LCRA.  The billboards and radio spots try to give a voice to the Colorado River. Thousands of people still don’t know the Colorado is the natural source of our drinking water. Our research shows consumers are twice as likely to save water around the home when they understand this fact.

What can you do?
• If you own a sprinkler system, simply adjust each zone by a few minutes. If you currently set each zone to water for 20 minutes, change the setting to 18 minutes. You’ll instantly save 10% of our water without sacrificing your yard, plus you’ll save money on your utility bill.

• Don’t water outdoors between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the summer. The evaporation thing ends up getting most of the water, instead of your parched lawn.
• Try not to panic at the first signs of yellow/brown grass. Your lawn is tough and it can make a come-back when we get more rain.

Learn more about your water at www.wateriq.org

For the second time in two months, I’ve received packages at home from consumer retail companies who are wasting money and natural resources.

Judge for yourself. Here is what I received this week via UPS from Brookstone:

I purchased three wine cork screw replacements from the mall store, and they shipped them to me because they didn’t keep them in stock. My previous cork screw was mangled trying to extract one of those stupid rubber wine corks from a glass bottle. When I opened those three boxes, here’s what I found: one tiny cork screw in each huge box:

Okay, skip the environmental argument for a second (wasted cardboard, plastic and transport pollution) don’t you think a company would want to find efficiencies to avoid packaging a shipping three items in one box, instead of three?

I’m thinking this type of waste happens more than we think. The path toward sustainability has a lot more to do with eliminating waste and inefficiency than sacrifice.

Am I wrong?  Please post here any stories you know of excessive packaging that may qualify as a Packaging Piggy.

We’re proud to report our company is featured in today’s Washington Times. National reporter Andrea Billups toured our Austin offices several weeks ago, and chose us for a feature story about players in the global climate change issue. She calls us “green detectives” based on our formation and leadership of the Greenwashing Index.

They even included a photo from our Congress Ave. Earth Day stunt, which focused on vampire energy.

Click here to read “Texas Duo Patrols Ads for Abuse of Eco-Claims,” the Washington Times story.

By Steve Roberts, Managing Director

Lots of self-help programs start with admitting you have a problem. Well, here goes:

“Hello. My name is Steve, and I’m an emitter.”

That was my first step as I joined the fifth annual meeting of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) Membership. (Our new subsidiary company Green Canary Sustainability Consulting is an associate member.) I was in good company: nearly 250 other members made the trek to the Windy City to celebrate the world’s first and North America’s only active voluntary, legally binding trading system to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) with offset projects worldwide. Members came from throughout the U.S. and Canada, plus far-off places like India, Uruguay and the Netherlands. The goal for many of us was to figure out what in the world we’d gotten into and where this project was going.

Unless you’re really ahead of the game or a renewable energy provider, you’re an emitter – just like me. And if you’re a corporation, the demise of the Lieberman-Warner bill last week simply buys you a little more time before needing to be financially accountable for your GHG emissions. But that’s where CCX comes in. Think of it as a practice run for the legislation.

That’s how Doug Stilwell looks at it. He is Director of Internal Environmental Programs and Policy at International Paper, and with climate legislation a near certainty on the horizon, he’s getting a jump on the emissions trading market. One of the main reasons IP has joined? “Better to be at the table than on the menu,” explained Stilwell.

This sentiment was echoed by Cathy Ikeuchi of Safeway. For her, membership gives Safeway credibility when they speak, and gives them a voice in how future decisions might be made. Safeway has a long-term view of the benefits, however, which gets to the heart of what CCX is all about.

For Ikeuchi, meeting their GHG reduction goals as members of CCX is not enough. They want to surpass their goals, and be able to sell the credits and reinvest that money back into their sustainability program. And for those of you wondering how to quantify the effects of a sustainability program, Ikeuchi points out that reductions in GHGs are both measurable and verifiable. And when measured against the going rate for a Carbon Financial Instrument (CFI – equal to the equivalent of 100 metric tons of carbon dioxide), there’s finally a way to put a dollar figure to it.

And that’s exactly what Dr. Richard Sandor, the founder of CCX and inventor of emissions trading, has done. Sandor is a genius, and his enthusiasm is infectious. He commands a presence no matter what room he’s in, and it’s easy to understand why. Sandor makes this all seem easy – and to him, it is. Though the market is only five years old, the number of emissions avoided through the CCX is equal to the number avoided by all of France and Belgium combined. In addition to the CCX, Sandor and his group oversee the European Climate Exchange (ECX – the dominant exchange in the mandatory European Union Emissions Trading Scheme) and now the Montreal Climate Exchange. He told us they’ve made progress toward adding exchanges in China and India, too.

So what next? After a very full day of meetings and socializing with fellow members, it’s off to bed. Then next up: time to figure out just what kind of a carbon footprint Green Canary really has.

The US Senate today effectively killed debate on the Climate Security Act of 2008 (S. 3036). The bill needed just eight more Senators to support the massive climate change legislation for the bill to avoid a fillibuster. At almost exactly the same time, hundreds of state Democratic Party delegates in Texas were riled up about reducing greenhouse gases, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Last December, at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, U.S. diplomats reluctantly agreed to sign-on to the Bali Accord to set standards for reducing greenhouse gases. Wouldn’t that mean our country was ready to take action on reducing carbon emissions? Senate Democrats had successfully passed the Lieberman-Warner bill (formerly Lieberman-McCain) out of committee while we were all in Bali. Passage of legislation in 2008 would have allowed the U.S. take a global leadership position prior to the 2009 replacement to the Kyoto Protocol. In Bali, we saw almost no interest by the Bush Administration to return home to push Congress for major climate change legislation in the final year of the President’s term.

For months, rumors in Washington said Senate Majority Leader Reid would put the bill up for a vote in June, but details of the 491-page Climate Security Act of 2008 only emerged a week prior to the debate, which began June 2.

Environmental groups were obviously disappointed by today’s loss, but pleased they had boosted their support among Senators in the last year.

So what happened? High gas prices, a recession and a prolonged Presidential primary election certainly played a role in the lack of federal government action.

So is the global warming fight over? Don’t tell the folks at today’s caucus of Texas Environmental Democrats. The group met today at the Texas State Democratic convention in Austin, with hundreds of Texans cramming into the meeting room. More than a dozen elected officials explained how carbon emissions from Texas were closer to those in China, than California. Two legislators from conservative districts said the environment was a key issue their constituents were upset about. Environmental group lobbyists explained how this issue was more than just health and environment, it meant opportunity (or loss) for Texas to create jobs through clean technology.

And a fast-selling T-shirt in the exhibit hall proclaimed, “BLUE GREEN: I vote pro-environment. I vote Democratic.”

Despite the halt of the Lieberman-Warner bill for 2008, there is a (clean) fire in the belly of many more advocates than ever to pass federal and state legislation in 2009.