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Take the energy challenge

July 25, 2019
All of these things are fairly simple to do. Maybe after you try one of them, you’ll decide to keep doing it or even take another energy-saving action.

Normally I reserve this space to talk about ways those of us in the trucking industry can do more to improve the freight efficiency of the nation’s fleet. But I recently heard about Envision Virgin Racing’s 2 Week Climate Challenge and given our history with Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin companies, thought I would take on the challenge! The initiative is a sustainability challenge that suggests six ways individuals can use less energy in their daily lives.

I figure since I promote energy efficiency for the trucking industry, it made sense to promote energy efficiency on a more personal level.

The challenge took place beginning on June 28 and ran for two weeks. Even though the official challenge is over, I hope you at least consider taking one of the following actions in the near future:

  • Cut out red meat: The global livestock industry produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all cars, planes, trains and ships combined.
  • Switch to reusable coffee cups: About 2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown away each year in the UK alone and only 1 in 400 are recycled.
  • Wash clothes at 30°C (86°F): This uses 40% less electricity over the course of a year.
  • Car share: The average person spends 18 days a year in a car with each car emitting nearly its own weight in carbon dioxide.
  • Unplug electronic devices: Electronic devices consume energy when they are plugged in even if they are not turned on. In the U.S., so-called “vampire power” is responsible for using up to $19 billion in energy a year.
  • Turn off the tap: Leaving the tap on while brushing your teeth uses the equivalent of four gallons of water per minute or 200 gallons of water a week for a family of four.

All of these things are fairly simple to do. Maybe after you try one of them, you’ll decide to keep doing it or even take another energy-saving action. 

You know me, I’m all about energy efficiency for trucks so why not for people too?

About the Author

Michael Roeth | Executive Director

Michael Roeth is the executive director of the North American Council for Freight Efficiency. He serves on the second National Academy of Sciences Committee on Technologies and Approaches for Reducing the Fuel Consumption of Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles and has held various positions with Navistar and Behr/Cummins.

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