Rio Film Fest

Something's finally happening in Socorro! Tonight and tomorrow the 1st Annual Rio Film Fest, about environmenal awareness and appreciation, is playing on campus. This evening Matt and I went to see Killowatt Ours, by Jeff Barrie (see online at killowattours.org). It is on a much smaller scale than An Inconvenient Truth, but it might resonate more with local folks who see Al Gore on a whole other level than the rest of us. Check out the website and learn what you can do to improve energy efficiency and increase green power.

Things I recommend:

• Repace your light bulbs with CFLs. These cost a bit more but are cheaper to run and last thousands of hours longer, so you save money in the long run.
• Turn down your thermostat in the the winter and up in the summer. There is nothing wrong with wearing sweater (or two) in your house.
• Buy Energy Star appliances. Apparently you can find these at used appliance shops for a pretty good bargain.
• Drive less. Although I drive a lot, to Albuquerque about once a week and to the Bosque a few times a month, Matt and I have made a pact not to drive in town. Today I walked to campus to meet him for lunch, then we walked to the Post Office on the Plaza, later that night to the supermarket, and then again to the film festival. The snow just made i that more exciting.
• When you do drive, drive a fuel-efficient car. My Echo gets 40-45mpg.
• Buy green power from your utility company. If you reduce your energy usage through CFLs and other conservation, you can put the money saved towards green power. If your Electric Company is not quite sure what Green Power is (welcome to Socorro), try offsetting your use through Terrapass, carbonfund, or nativeenergy. Terrapass will even send you a CFL.
• If you can afford it, install solar panels or mini-wind turbines and break free from the energy grid. Someday we hope to do this as well.
• Live in as little space as you can. Matt and I made the mistake of renting a large 3 bedroom home which we can neither heat nor cool adequately. The temperature in our bedroom is often 63 degrees, but our gas bil last month was $85. We certainly do not need this much space and have found ourselves living in the two warmest rooms with no problems. We plan to downsize when our lease is up.

I will update the remainder of the Film Fest tomorrow. They are also showing An Inconvenient Truth for free tomorrow evening. What a great idea.

Here's to future generations - may they enjoy some unspoiled nature and clean air.