Cynthia Cicigoi, executive director of Cleveland 2030 District, shares three ways Clevelanders can go green in 2019.
1. Power Down
If it’s plugged in, it’s a problem. Cicigoi suggests turning out lights and unplugging electronics when you leave a room — even your phone at the end of the day. “That thing is still drawing power,” she says. “When you turn the light switch on, the lights go on and you just don’t think about the impact of leaving them on.”
2. Water Pitch
From irrigation strategies to shortened showers, saving water seems difficult. But changing the aerators on your faucets and showerheads is a simple place to start. “They have aerators now that use 30 or 40 percent less water,” says Cicigoi. “Once you install, you don’t have to be conscious of it anymore.”
3. Traffic Jam
Creating an office sign-up sheet turns carpooling into a simple way to reduce transportation emissions. But even when traveling alone you can avoid idling in your car. “Every 10 minutes an engine is off equates to 1 pound of CO2 emissions that isn’t being released into the air,” says Cicigoi.
