Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR

 The final post in the GMBeyondNow Earth Week guest post series is written by Brittney Gordon-Williams from the EPA’s ENERGY STAR team. In her post, Brittney explains how all of us can be energy efficient at home, through the Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign.

This week people across the country celebrated the 43rd annual Earth Day. With projects big and small, many took this time to rededicate themselves to factoring in the health of the environment in their everyday activities. Started by Senator Gaylord Nelson in the spring of 1970, Earth Day was created as a way to add the protection of the environment onto the national agenda. Decades later Earth Day is an American staple, and here at EPA’s ENERGY STAR program, it is a time to get everyone refocused on protecting the climate by saving energy. If you are looking to energize your quest to save energy, save money and protect the environment, look no further than the Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign and these 3 simple steps:

Step One- Take the ENERGY STAR Pledge

From simple tasks like changing out your incandescent lighting to ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs/fixtures, to whole-home energy-saving renovations, there is a little something for everyone in the ENERGY STAR Pledge. You can take the pledge to make changes big and small, and you can even come back to challenge yourself to new actions in the future. The ENERGY STAR pledge even includes rebates and promotions from your local utility to help you on your energy-saving journey. Take the pledge today and see how easy it is to make a difference!

Step Two- Attend an ENERGY STARs Across America event

Now that you have taken the pledge, it is time to put your energy saving into action. Attending an ENERGY STARs Across America event is a great way to get started! Just go to www.energystar.gov/changetheworld to check out EPA’s interactive, online map of events. Each star represents a partner-sponsored event focused on teaching the public about saving energy. With hundreds of events on the map, you are sure to find one in your neck of the woods. Let these ENERGY STAR partners show you how they can help you save energy.

Step Three- Sign your family up for Team ENERGY STAR

If you have young people in your life, sign them up for the team! Team ENERGY STAR is a PTO Today-hosted activity aimed at involving the entire family in the act of protecting the climate. By signing up your kids, you will receive lots of great educational resources to help them learn about saving energy. PTO Today is even working with LG to reward team members who submit the best energy-saving stories in the Team ENERGY STAR Challenge.

These three simple steps should put you on the right path to becoming more energy efficient this Earth Week and beyond. Once you get started, be sure to stop by energystar.gov and share your story with EPA!

Brittney Gordon-Williams is a member of the ENERGY STAR Labeling Branch communications team. Prior to working for EPA, she worked in broadcast journalism.