It was interesting to read in Greg Dennis’ column that although three quarters of U.S. residents believe climate change is happening, less than half would spend $10/month to combat it. However, many of the actions we can take to slow climate change actually save us money. That’s the focus of the climate economy neighborhood projects being done now in Middlebury. The logo in front of participating homes shows a house with dollars flying out the chimney.
Old and inefficient appliances waste energy and money. A new, efficient fridge or car is a big-ticket item, but over time, they can pay for themselves. The same with solar panels and heat pumps, which are appearing on more buildings all the time. There are also many small changes that cost little, such as installing weather stripping, sealing cracks in your home, and switching to LED light bulbs and low-flow shower heads (which use less hot water). You can save hundreds or maybe thousands by avoiding one plane trip or one road trip. There’s no point focusing only on costs when savings are the best motivator.
Chris Robbins
Middlebury