For the past seven years, the American Council for An Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has measured how energy-efficient each state is. While California and other states have been leading the mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and overall waste, the organization’s study gave California the number two spot. Massachusetts has held onto the number one spot since taking it from the Golden State in 2011.
Despite being in second place, California’s efforts to lower waste are highly recognized. California Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister mentions some of the state’s accomplishment’s in ACEEE’s press release.
“Our standards alone have helped save [tax]payers more than $75 billion since 1975, grown California’s economy with local jobs, and protected our climate by reducing carbon emissions,” McAllister said. “ACEEE is providing a valuable service by recognizing energy efficiency leaders that other states can follow. We are proud to be one of the leaders.”
California’s cap-and-trade emissions program and commitment to using electric vehicles are a couple of many ways that the state has tried to lessen carbon waste. These changes have greatly improved the lives of residents and visitors.
In fact, California has taken it a step further by signing the Pacific Coast Climate Action Plan on Climate and Energy last week. Alongside fellow energy-efficient state Oregon, which took ACEEE’s number four spot, Washington and British Columbia, it is clear that California is showing no signs of slowing down their efforts.
It is clear that human activity has largely contributed to climate change, so no endeavor is too small in helping reverse the damage. Purchasing used office furniture for example, can keep demand for raw, hard-to-recycle materials low.
Because the costs of living in California are higher than most other states, business owners can save on their furniture purchases by considering used office furnishing. By buying used furniture, business owners who are on a tighter budget can purchase the products they need for operations while improving their bottom line.
