Sign In
47% percent of passengers on U.S. domestic flights are traveling for business. World Resources Institute
All Facts
A quarter of the trips Americans take by car are within walking distance. New American Dream
A roundtrip flight from New York to Los Angeles emits more than 2,000 lbs of CO2 - about a third of the amount a hybrid car emits in an entire year! Carbon Fund
A TV with a remote could use more energy during the 20 hours it is turned off than it does while you watch it for four hours. Con Edison
About 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is used to heat the water. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
According to the EPA, over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in the U.S. each year, costing retailers an estimated $4 billion. New American Dream
Americans buy over $5 billion worth of outdoor gear annually. All of these products require energy, water, chemicals, and land to produce. Green Your...
An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by 2% or more for small cars. Fuel Economy.gov
An old refrigerator or freezer in the basement that’s just cooling a few cases of soda may be costing you as much as $100 each year. U.S. Green Building Council
Appliances account for about 20% of a typical household’s energy use, with refrigerators, clothes washers and dryers at the top of the list. Department of Energy
Appliances account for about 20% of your household's energy consumption with refrigerators, clothes washers, and clothes dryers at the top of the consumption list. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Approximately 75% of installed cooling equipment may have incorrect amount of refrigerant, which can lower efficiency by 5-20% and reduce the equipment's lifespan. Con Edison
As a general rule, lawns only need watering every 5 to 7 days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for as long as two weeks. American Water
As a nation, we spend about 25% of our electricity on lighting, at a cost of more than $37 billion annually. Con Edison
Aviation contributes 2% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions and is expected to rise to 3% by 2050. Enviro Aero
Bicycling and walking are not just recreational activities, but transportation options with many benefits for our health, community, and environment.
By replacing the five most frequently used light fixtures in your home with ENERGY STAR-qualified models you can save $70 each year in energy costs. Energy Star
By taking public transportation instead of driving the money you save in gas over a year is more than the average household spends on food annually. Public Transportation
Choosing salvaged, secondhand or antique items is often a smarter use of natural resources than buying new products. US Green Building Council
Commercial and industrial facilities account for 50% of all energy consumption in the U.S. at a cost of over $200 billion per year- more than any other sector of the economy. ENERGY STAR
Communities with public transportation reduce the nation’s carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually- equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households. Public Transportation
Curbside recycling nationwide could reduce the volume of solid waste by 15 to 25%. Department of Energy
Drip irrigation systems use between 20 to 50% less water than conventional in-ground sprinkler systems, which translates into lower water bills for you. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Emissions from landscape equipment (mowers, blowers, trimmers, etc.) are often much greater than that of a car per hour of operation. Small gasoline-powered engines are the most polluting. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Emissions from nonroad engines contribute as much as 15-20% of pollution in cities across the United States according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Energy consumption for home air conditioning accounts for almost 5% of all the electricity produced in the U.S. and produces about 140 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
ENERGY STAR products typically use about 20-40% less energy than other new models. California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center
Every American throws away about 1,000 pounds of trash a year. Conservation International
Food waste that winds up in landfills generates methane, a greenhouse gas that’s 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Green Home Guide
For each degree you are able to raise the thermostat, you will save 3–5% on air conditioning costs. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
For many short- to medium-distance trips, airplanes emit more heat-trapping gases per person than cars. Union of Concerned Scientists
Hard acceleration and braking can waste fuel and lower your mileage by 33% on the highway and 5% around town. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
If 1% of American homes replaced their older, inefficient toilets with WaterSense labeled models, the country would save more than 38 million kWh of electricity—enough to supply more than 43,000 households electricity for one month. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
If all Americans kept their tires properly inflated (and a government study shows that many don't), we'd use 2% less gasoline nationwide! Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Improving the ventilation in your attic can lower the temperature of the entire house. Con Edison
In 2003, recycling and composting diverted 72 million tons of material from landfills. Department of Energy
In 2006, telecommuting reduced national gasoline consumption by approximately 840 million gallons. Consumer Electronics Association
In 2006, US residents, businesses, and institutions produced more than 251 million tons of MSW, which is approximately 4.6 pounds of waste per person per day. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
In most homes, you can save about 2% of your heating bill for each degree that you lower the thermostat for at least 8 hours each day. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Incandescent lights are the most popular type of bulb in the U.S., but they are a very inefficient technology. Only 10% of the electricity they use actually is converted into useable light -- the rest is wasted as heat. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
It is advisable to get your soil tested, especially if you plan to create a vegetable garden or if young children will be playing in the dirt, possibly exposing them to lead. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Leaving your car at home just two days a week will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 pounds per year. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Less than 5% of all personal computers are donated to schools, charities or nonprofit organizations. Earth 911
Lighting consumes 40% of electricity in commercial buildings and is accountable for another 10% for the cost of cooling the heat it produces. Cool Companies
Making a ton of paper from recycled stock saves up to 17 trees and uses 50% less water. Department of Energy
New and improved high-efficiency toilets use less than 1.3 gallons per flush—that's at least 60% less than their older, less efficient counterparts. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Officers on bikes can usually reach the scene of a crime before those in squad cars, typically making 50% more arrests per day. Earth Policy Institute
On the July 4th holiday alone, Americans fire up 60 million barbecues, burning enough greenhouse gas emission-producing fuel to power 20,000 homes for a year. Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Once established, native and adapted plants are very low maintenance, require little to no pesticides or fertilizers, and survive well on available water. Regional Water Providers Consortium
Organic farming generally uses less energy than non organic farming to produce the same amount: 29% less energy for wheat, 38% less for milk, and 35% less for beef. Soil Association
Over 11 billion kWh, equivalent to $935 million, would be saved if the 55 million office computers in the U.S. used Energy Star power management controls- the same effect of taking 1.5 million cars off the road! New American Dream
Packaging now accounts for 1/3 of all household waste. New American Dream
People who live near public transportation drive an average of 4,400 less miles a year than those who don't. Public Transportation
Plants like bamboo that can be harvested and grown again within a short time ease demand for slower-growing trees and nonrenewable resources like petroleum. Look for bamboo alternatives for floors, cabinets, built-ins and furniture. US Green Building Council
Productivity increases of up to 40% have been reported through telework programs.
Green Living Ideas
By taking public transportation instead of driving the money you save in gas over a year is more than the average household spends on food annually.
Recycled paper products take less 70 to 90% less energy to produce and prevents the loss of forests worldwide. Global Warming Facts
Reducing your heating energy use is the single most effective way to save money and reduce your home’s contribution to global warming and other environmental problems. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Sealing and insulating ducts that move air to and from a forced-air furnace or heat pump can improve the system’s efficiency by as much as 20%. Alliance to Save Energy
Standing pilot gas burners may double the annual energy consumption of your stove and should be avoided. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
The average 1-acre lawn costs $700 and requires 40 hours of labor each year to maintain -- much more than a natural landscape. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The average household uses 11% of its energy budget for lighting. Using new lighting technologies can reduce lighting energy use in your home by 50% to 75%. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
The average meal in the United States travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate. Buying locally will save fuel and keep money in your community. Climate Crisis
The average person drives about 3,000 miles to and from work every year. Not driving just one day a week can reduce your CO2 emissions by about 8 pounds per week. Green Choices
The average plasma TV uses more energy per year than a modern refrigerator. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
The average U.S. household spends $100 per year to power devices while they are off or in standby mode. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The International Energy Agency estimates that the power consumed by appliances in standby mode is responsible for 1% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions. Con Edison
There are more than 6,000 reuse centers around the country, ranging from specialized programs for building materials or unneeded materials in schools to local programs such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
There may be times during the year when it's just not worth trying to keep your lawn green. Yard Care
Using compost can reduce the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Using motion and occupancy sensors can cut energy use by 10%. Alliance For Climate Protection’s We Can Solve It
Using premium materials that are more durable and construction practices that often exceed building code requirements will enhance your home's performance and reduce maintenance and replacement costs, thereby raising its overall value. Build It Green
Vermicomposting can be ideal for apartment dwellers or small offices that want to derive some of the benefits of composting and reduce solid waste. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Wash and rinse temperatures have a dramatic impact on overall energy use—a hot water wash with warm rinse costs 5 to 10 times more than a cold wash and rinse. American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Water at night to reduce water loss to evaporation. Yard Care
Water heating can account for between 14-25% of a home's energy consumption. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Water trees separately from surrounding plant areas. Trees like long, slow watering and generally need to be watered to a much greater depth than grass and other plants. Yard Care
When possible fly non-stop, a significant amount of a flight's emissions come from take-off and landing. Conservation International
Yard and food wastes make up 24% of the material thrown out in the United States. In 2005, that amount represented almost 60 million tons of waste that could have been avoided from landfills through simple composting methods. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
You can save 10% or more on your energy bill by stopping the air leaks in your home. Department of Energy
