CLIMATE CHANGE AND CONSERVATION 2008
FINDS LONG ISLANDERS SUPPORT LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS TO CREATE
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Residents Looking for New Ways to Conserve Energy
Garden City, NY (May 5, 2008) – Five years ago, not many Americans knew what a carbon footprint was, or how to reduce theirs. Now, with reusable shopping bags, hybrid vehicles, energy efficient appliances and light bulbs, it seems that people have begun to realize the danger the planet is in and are taking steps to reduce global warming.
So what are we doing here on Long Island? Residents are taking many of the same steps as the rest of the nation, and they’re very aware that more needs to be done. The Long Island Index Survey, Climate Change and Energy Issues, Spring 2008, found that 78% of Long Islanders turn off electronic appliances, including computers, all or most of the time when they are not in use, 86% reset their thermostats to save energy and 74% have changed traditional light bulbs to new energy efficient types.
According to Ann Golob, Director of the Long Island Index, “Findings indicate that Long Islanders are concerned about what is happening to our environment and are looking for ways to do their part to conserve energy. The survey found that 72% per cent of Long Islanders are in agreement that the effects of global warming have already begun to happen. And Long Islanders aren’t necessarily waiting for others to lead the way. When asked which group can do the most to impact climate change, 27% responded that they, the general public, could.”
Long Islanders support making long-term investments, particularly those investments that will create renewable energy resources. Even as the economy begins to tighten, Long Islanders understand the value proposition of paying more now as an investment in the future. A total of 92% of survey participants said they would opt for energy efficient appliances, even if they cost more than standard models.
Most importantly, the Index survey found that when asked if they were willing to increase their monthly electric bills if LIPA used funds to develop large-scale renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, 46% of Long Islanders said yes. Support increased to 57% among those with household incomes of $100,000 or more. When asked how much they would pay, 65% chose amounts up $15 per month.
Finally, the Index survey found that not everyone has an equal ability to pay the upfront costs to save energy and LIPA has to consider ways to help in these situations. LIPA reports an 18.5% increase from last year in the number of residential customers who are late paying their monthly bills. The Index poll found that those with lower incomes were similar to higher income residents in undertaking low-barrier activities to saving energy. Lower income residents indicated a greater reluctance to engage in conservation activities that required greater upfront costs.
“Long Island is a region with marked contrasts,” said John McNally, Environmental Program Officer, Rauch Foundation. “While we have great wealth, we also have a large number of people who are struggling economically. A serious campaign to change Long Islanders energy consumption patterns needs to include opportunities to make these options available to everyone, not just those who have greater ability to shoulder the upfront investment.”
The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is updating its energy master plan and is gathering public responses. Mr. McNally stated that, “LIPA has a critical role to play in ensuring a master plan that addresses the issues facing the Island. In the past ten years our residential electricity consumption has risen 24%. We need conservation programs to address the rising usage but we also need plans to create renewable energy sources for the region. If we are going to reach this goal, we need bold initiatives built upon a strong vision. Recently, Long Island has had a string of proposals that have not made it off the drawing boards, often for good reasons. But this time we need to come together to find long-term solutions that will work. Clearly the survey shows that Long Islanders are ready to meet this challenge.”