Olympics of energy efficiency: The 2,000 Watt Society
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It seems next to impossible to join the 2,000 mile club nowadays. There seems barely enough room for a kiss after takeoff. What's an adult to do in her quest for adventure and nearly impossible exploits? Join the 2,000 watt society. It may be like the Olympics of energy consumption. How does one efficiently shave off a quarter of a second in the race to save energy?
Two thousand watts is the figure that each person could consume annually and maintain sustainable carbon consumption. Instead of further depleting fossil fuels and increasing greenhouse gases societies would be able to maintain the resources remaining.
Currently, Americans consume 12,000 watts. The usage includes heating, driving, lighting, powering, public transport, etc. Western Europeans use an average of 6,000 watts and Chinese people use roughly 1500 watts currently.
The society was formed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Its first project was in the city of Basel. the goal was to cut reliance on fossil fuels; make buildings and transportation more energy efficient; and use instead of own things like vehicles.
The 2,000 watt goal, according to the organizations that support the mission, is possible. In meeting the goal, some buildings in Basel have thicker walls and absolutely no heating and cooling system. Instead, solar panels and tinted glass help absorb or reflect heat from the building. Bodies are another source of actual heat. People are encouraged to walk or bike to work and rent a vehicle when they need to transport a major purchase or go a long distance. Geothermal heating is used as is wind power.
Air travel can easily bump a user over the figure. But the proposition of cutting energy consumption in a numeric fashion is an interesting one. It provides not just the vague promise that unplugging your television or walking to work or buying local food will save energy, but the figure that will lead to a sustainable carbon consumption level.
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