| Ending the $650 billion per year spent in obsolete | | | | a unit that reduces emissions on cars and trucks by |
| subsidies for environmentally destructive activities like | | | | 60% (see ). This technology increases fuel milage by |
| clearcutting and fishing, and levying taxes on resource | | | | 30%, which saves consumers money. US President |
| depletion and pollutants like greenhouse gases, could | | | | George Bush has made it possible to get tax |
| provide $1.5 trillion a year for income tax cuts, | | | | rightoffs for "fuel saving devices" such as these, |
| according to The Natural Wealth of Nations, a new | | | | which convert cars and trucks into "Hybrids". |
| book from the Worldwatch Institute, a Washington | | | | Another way to cut costs dramatically is to decrease |
| D.C.-based environmental research institute. Under this | | | | energy use in lighting, office equipment, and heating |
| proposal, a U.S. family of four would get a net tax | | | | and air conditioning in your facility. |
| cut of $2,000. | | | | Many technological advances are leading to increased |
| "These changes would allow us to put the power of | | | | energy. The National Association of Physicians for the |
| the market to work to protect the environment," | | | | Environment (NAPE), in cooperation with the U.S. |
| said author and Worldwatch Senior Researcher David | | | | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has |
| Malin Roodman. "Too many costs of industrial activity | | | | developed a direct assistance program designed |
| are not incorporated into markets. By translating | | | | specifically to help health care facilities of less than |
| environmental costs into prices, governments can | | | | 100,000 square feet become more energy efficient. |
| grab business decision-makers by the bottom line and | | | | In teaming with EPA, NAPE is building on the success |
| help consumers better understand the true | | | | of the agency's Green LightsÂ(R) and |
| environmental costs of their purchases and | | | | ENERGY STARÂ(R) programs that have |
| investments. If we're going to save the planet, prices | | | | enabled thousands of organizations of all types to |
| must tell the ecological truth." | | | | save energy and money through the use of energy |
| Most of these cuts would occur in industrial nations, | | | | efficient technologies. In the health care sector alone, |
| which subsidize pollution the most. Such as in the | | | | these programs have |
| United States, Germany, and Japan, where taxes | | | | Why? To save money. Facility upgrades can save 30 |
| average $6,000-7,000 a person. Roodman suggests | | | | to 40 percent on energy costs, with payback for |
| phasing in a tax on carbon from fossil fuel burning, | | | | investment within three years and continuous savings |
| starting low and rising gradually over time, allowing | | | | thereafter. To keep people healthy and protect the |
| cars and factories to live out their useful lives and | | | | environment. NAPE's theme is "Pollution Prevention is |
| then be replaced by cleaner models. Announcing | | | | Disease Prevention." Every time a light switch, |
| gradual tax changes would send a powerful signal | | | | computer, heating system or air conditioner is turned |
| about an economy's direction and encourage | | | | on, a power plant consumes fuel to produce |
| businesses to plan ahead. | | | | electricity and produces air pollution. The majority of |
| "A major advantage of this approach is that it makes | | | | the pollutants most clearly linked to increased |
| environmentally sound choices cheaper and easier," | | | | morbidity and mortality are energy related. |
| said Roodman. "Harmful products will become more | | | | Energy-related emissions such as those from power |
| expensive, but high-mileage cars and recycling will | | | | plants, vehicles, and industry account for most of the |
| become more affordable and convenient. Using taxes | | | | emissions of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen |
| instead of regulations, governments can set targets | | | | oxides, volatile organic compounds, and the smallest |
| for environmental protection- and markets can do | | | | particulates.We know that, on average, for every |
| what they do best, finding the cheapest ways to hit | | | | 10,000 kilowatt hours of electricity used, the following |
| those targets. And countries that make these | | | | pollutants will be produced: 55 pounds of nitrogen |
| subsidy cuts and tax shifts will spur their companies | | | | oxides (a component of smog and acid rain), 154 |
| to develop clean technologies, giving them a | | | | pounds of sulfur dioxide (a respiratory irritant and |
| competitive advantage in the global marketplace." | | | | component of acid rain), and 15,000 pounds of |
| One way of hitting these targets is to use a "fuel | | | | carbon dioxide (implicated in global climate change). |
| saving device", that will not only cut costs for fuel | | | | More than 850 facilities, and more are joining daily, |
| but also help the enviornment by reducing emissions. | | | | have increased energy efficiency in the last several |
| The Canadian Hydrogen Energy Company has made | | | | years. |