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Environmental Tip: Turn Off the Lights

One way to help out the environment is by turning off the lights when you’re not using them. That means when you leave a room, flip off the light switch.

I had always heard this piece of advice, but never knew the story behind why turning off the lights is good for the environment. Recently, however, I decided to do some research. I had just visited the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina and seen a photography exhibit by J Henry Fair.

Christine Laubenstein in front of the Gibbes Museum of Art

 

The exhibit comprised colorful aerial photos Fair had taken of industrial sites polluting the environment. The photos are beautiful and scary at the same time; they’re supposed to prompt people to change their behaviors.

One of the exhibit’s plaques encouraged people to turn off the lights when they’re not using them. According to the plaque, that saves the fish by reducing the level of mercury in the water.

I researched this topic a bit and discovered why this is. The reason is that electricity is made by burning coal, burning coal produces mercury, and mercury gets into waterways. Mercury gets into fish; if we eat those fish, it gets into our bodies, too.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mercury can result in numerous health problems, including:

  • Impairment of vision
  • Motor in-coordination
  • Loss of feeling
  • Seizures
  • Very severe neurological impairment
  • Death

Luckily, in 2009 the Environmental Protection Agency settled a lawsuit to finalize a Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standard for coal- and oil-fired power plants by November 2011. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the new standards will aid efforts to clean up mercury emissions from about 1,100 coal-fired boilers at more than 460 electric power plants.

However, the new standards still allow some level of mercury emission. Plus, it’s not guaranteed all companies will follow the standards. That means individual behavior still has an impact on mercury production. By turning off the lights, you can reduce your electricity use; this results in less coal burning and reduced mercury emissions.

Here are a few other ways you can use less electricity:

  • Let your hair air dry
  • Let your clothes air dry
  • Turn the TV off if you’re not watching it
  • Defrost frozen food before cooking
  • Turn the computer off when you’re not using it
  • Modernize your windows
  • Make sure your dishwasher is full when you run it
  • Do not overheat or overcool rooms

Using less electricity not only reduces mercury levels, but it also saves you money. Additionally, it lowers the amount of carbon dioxide that is released into the environment. Carbon dioxide is the main human cause of global warming. Here are some other benefits of using less electricity:

  • Less sulfur dioxide is produced (sulfur dioxide causes acid rain)
  • Fewer airborne particles are produced (the particles can cause chronic bronchitis)
  • Less nitrogen oxide is produced (the gas leads to smog)
  • Less carbon monoxide is produced (the gas can cause headaches)
  • Fewer hydrocarbons are produced (they form ozone)
  • Less arsenic is produced (it causes cancer)

 

Author Bio:

Christine Laubenstein is a professional Boston-based writer currently working with Mr. Beams, an eco-conscious company specializing in battery light fixtures.

Clay Miller
the authorClay Miller
I am the creator/writer of Ways2GoGreen.com and Ways2GoGreenBlog.com. I'm an advocate for oceans, beaches, state parks. I enjoy all things outdoors (e.g. running, golf, gardening, hiking, etc.) I am a graduate of the University of Kentucky (Go Wildcats!!). I'm also a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I was born and raised in the beautiful state of Kentucky.

2 Comments

  • By naming Mercury and how it gets in our environment and even in our bodies, you have brought up something, I would never have thought about.
    I always have tried to save electricity, was raised to do that and tried to raise my kids saving as much on electricity as possible. But I also have to admit, the main reason was to save on the electric bills.
    You named a lot of very good reasons why we all should save on electricity – reasons most people would never really think or know about.
    Great Post! Very informative! Very Good Researched!

  • I have been taught to turn off the lights if I am not using them since grade school. I carry that teaching until now and I am very thankful that my parents taught me that.

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