Electricity consumption, the main cause of greenhouse gas emissions, has been increasing roughly 1.5%/year. At this rate, West Chester’s CO2 emissions would likely reach 255,000 tons by 2015, and more than 400,000 tons by 2050. The 10% goal implies a reduction to 198,000 tons by 2015—or a 22% reduction over the projected status quo.

An Important Step

The ultimate goal of many respected organizations, experts and legislators is an 80% reduction in emissions by the year 2050. This, they agree, is the target we must hit in order to avoid catastrophic climate change. BLUER’s goal of a 10% reduction by 2015 over baseline emission levels of 2005 may seem small in comparison, but it represents a critical first step. As the chart shows, we will need to pass a crucial turning point to meet the BLUER goal. We will need to halt a historic rise in greenhouse gas emissions and begin to reduce them. Arguably, this represents our hardest work, because it requires a fundamental shift in the way each one of us thinks about and uses energy. It is BLUER’s belief that if we achieve the 10% goal, we will have achieved a critical educational/ awareness milestone, and we will have succeeded in our objective to set our community on a path toward even more substantial reductions beyond the year 2015—and toward a more sustainable future.

Bend The Curve

The fastest and cheapest way to “bend the curve” downward is to reduce energy consumption through conservation and efficiency. In buildings, conservation alone can produce an average 20%+ reduction in electricity consumption and utility costs. Energy conservation is, in itself, an educational process that informs people about the importance of energy. This establishes a foundation for further changes that may require capital investment—like renewable energy and transportation improvements—but which will help West Chester achieve more substantial and sustainable emission reductions in the future.