Energy efficiency is not just cost savings but a key to reducing the climate change risk
In 2021, the global mean temperature was about 1.1 degree Celsius above the pre-industrial level (from 1850 to 1900). A 2-degree Celsius increase in global temperature is considered a significant threshold in international climate negotiations. Temperature rise above this will cause widespread extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and storms. This warmer temperature will lead to the melting of polar ice caps, flooding, heat-related deaths, and to spread of diseases.
Ensuring a safe future below 1.5 degrees Celsius requires the world to cut 30 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2030. Transport and industry are not enough. Lifestyle changes are a must for bridging the emissions gap. Around two-thirds of global emissions are linked to private household activities. Reducing emissions through lifestyle changes requires broader systemic conditions but more importantly “Individual Action”.
Wondering what are greenhouse gases and how carbon emissions connect all this? Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, are commonly used for energy purposes and release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when burned. carbon dioxide emissions accumulate in the atmosphere — average residence time is 150-200 years. These gases contribute to climate change by trapping heat from the sun, causing the warming up of the Earth’s surface. A certain level of carbon dioxide is naturally present and necessary for the Earth’s temperature regulation. But the increased levels produced by human activity in the past two centuries have disrupted the balance and contributed to the warming of our planet.
To break down climate action in simple terms, there are two things we should be doing: putting less carbon into the atmosphere and taking carbon out of the atmosphere. But the former is something we can do today.
One may argue that India’s share of global CO2 emissions is much lower than western countries and China. India’s per capita CO2 emissions are lower than the Global average. But we need to look into the emissions based on income. As per a UN report, middle and high-income groups (around 50% of the population) contribute 92% of total carbon emissions globally. The bottom 50% income population has only a 7% share in global emissions. Equity is thus central to addressing lifestyle-related emissions. The top 10% income group needs to reduce their emissions by a factor of 10, the middle-income class needs to cut down their emissions by half.
Individuals have a role to play in reducing their carbon emissions and contributing to a more sustainable future. Lifestyle emissions, which come from activities such as transportation, housing, and food consumption, make up a significant portion of an individual’s carbon footprint. Three main sources of lifestyle emissions are mobility, residential, and food, each of which accounts for about 20% of total emissions. There are many ways in which individuals can reduce their emissions in these areas, such as using shared transportation or electric vehicles instead of petrol-powered cars, using renewable energy sources, and improving the energy efficiency of household appliances. Replacing older appliances with energy-efficient models in fact can be the simplest cost-effective way for households in India to reduce their energy consumption, lowering not only their energy bills but also their emissions.
Wondering again what Energy Efficiency means? Energy efficiency refers to using the minimum amount of energy possible to get the job done. This can be achieved through the use of energy-efficient technology and smart energy practices. For instance, using energy-efficient appliances can help you cool your home or do your laundry using less energy. Not only is energy efficiency good for your wallet, but it’s also crucial for the environment. Using less energy means generating fewer emissions, which helps to combat climate change. One area where energy efficiency can have a significant impact is space cooling. Space cooling requires around ~20% of the electricity used at homes and can lead to high energy demand on hot days. By 2050, it is estimated that the demand for energy for space cooling in buildings will triple. However, by implementing energy-efficient solutions, you can reduce emissions from space cooling and make your home more energy efficient.
So don’t wait any longer, start saving money and the planet by making your home more energy-efficient today! Our revolutionary EXA ceiling fan saves energy up to 60%. It is not only cost saving of up to INR 1200 per fan annually but also 140 Kg C02e fewer emissions in the atmosphere. In context, 140 kg CO2 in volume is equivalent to two 24 feet of truck loads. At least seven new trees would be required to capture these carbon emissions. For those looking for more quantified concrete outcomes, a research report suggested that for each ton of carbon dioxide that person emits anywhere on this planet, 32 sq. Ft of Arctic summer sea ice disappears. You can be glad to save at least 4 sq. ft of arctic ice by buying the energy-efficient EXA ceiling fan. NeoDash and the polar bears both encourage your action!
