Energy Star- A Project Long in the Making
Once upon a time in 1992, the US Department of Energy partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and developed an initiative called Energy Star. People who have obtained an online environmental studies degree will be familiar with this. Twenty years later, more than 70% of Americans have come to realize that Energy Star logos mean energy saving!
Prior to the Kyoto Protocol, not many people were even aware of the concept of global warming. It just wasn’t part of our society. Today, we are ever so desperately trying to reverse the effects of global warming, but like any change, it’s going to take time.
With more and more media coverage and endorsements raising awareness of environmental issues, we are taking more steps in our own lives to change our lifestyles to be more environmentally friendly.
Energy Star was five steps ahead of us. Before global warming became an issue, Energy Star was already taking steps to help save money and protect the environment by manufacturing products that were more energy efficient.
Energy Star first started out in 1992 with computers and monitors and within three years, grew to manufacturing over 60 different products ranging from heating and cooling systems and dishwashers to home electronics, sound systems, televisions and office equipment, just to name a few.
Energy Star is proud to say that their products are more energy efficient than ever. Every year, Energy Star reaches more and more organizations, offering them more options to become more energy efficient and emit fewer greenhouse gases than some of their competitors.
In 2008, Energy Star saved more than $20 billion just from their energy reducing products.
A short year later, the EPA started the “Change The World-Start With Energy Star” initiative. The EPA strongly urged consumers to chose Energy Star products and to look for the Energy Star logo to start making smaller changes in their lives that would dramatically impact the Earth for the better.
It is Energy Star’s goal to have reduced more than 50 MMTEC of greenhouse gases. That is equivalent to saving over $15 billion dollars annually in energy bills alone.
It all starts with one change at a time.