Greater energy efficiency is the way to meet growing energy needs worldwide, according to a special report in the New York Times.
Energy efficiency should not be confused with energy conservation. Conservation is turning of the light when you leave the room. Energy efficiency is swapping a 40-watt incandescent light bulb for a compact fluorescent that uses 9 watts, or an LED that uses even less.
Unfortunately, energy efficiency--which has the potential to halt the growth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions--has taken a back seat to the issue of fossil fuels and dependency on foreign oil.
Cathy Zoi, tha Obama administration's so-called energy czar says part of the problem is that energy efficiency is difficult to discuss, because it is not a concrete thing that can be produced.
“We spend about $1.1 trillion each year on our utility bills in this country,” said Ms. Zoi, of the Energy Department. “And let’s just say we could really easily reduce this by 20%. That’s an extra $200 billion you could put into productivity of other things like health care, schools, businesses that grow.”
Read the full story at the link below.
