Waste was responsible for 6 per cent of personal greenhouse gas emissions in 1990. No matter the size or model, there is a range of energy efficiency for each product. For example, a 17 cubic- foot refrigerator comes in a variety of colours, but it also comes in a range of energy efficiencies too. Making a refrigerator that uses less energy requires more materials and labour and so will cost you slightly more up front, but will save you money every month on your electricity bill. Keeping food cold, and water hot are the two biggest users of electricity in our homes.
Coolants used in refrigerators deplete the ozone layer and are very powerful greenhouse gases.
It's your responsibility. Buy energy-efficient lights Compact fluorescent lights are three to four times more efficient than incandescent lights and last 10 times longer, keeping 125 kilograms of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere over their lifetime. Think of them as an appliance and their higher initial cost seems more reasonable. Energy-efficient lights also give off less heat and can help reduce your cooling needs in summer, both at home and at the office. Canadians import almost 50 per cent of the vegetables they eat and up to 90 per cent of their fruit.