Efficient Cooling: There's No "I" in Team Greening

The Team Greening Program, created by Major League Baseball and the National Resources Defense Council has been in development for two years. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a national non-profit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. It was founded in 1970 and has 1.2 million members and online activists nationwide. This program supports and coordinates the many environmentally sensitive practices now pursued by practically every Major League Baseball Club. A customized guide that includes team specific steps has been given to each team so that they can implement new environmental practices that are right for their circumstances.

Some examples of the new environmental practices are:

-Promoting alternative transportation.
-Supporting renewable energy.
-Offering organic foods.
-Utilizing post-consumer recycled.
-Implementing stronger recycling programs.

During Earth Day 2009, the MLB took a green approach. The Seattle Mariners have celebrated Earth Day for several years because during a September 1969 in Seattle, April 22 was proposed as Earth Day by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin. In 2008, there was a Carbon Neutral Day, where the Mariners sought to offset the carbon dioxide pollution generated staging the game. This year, the Mariners introduced the Zero Waste Initiative, in which they strived to reduce to an absolute minimum the amount of garbage going into the waste stream. They will do this by utilizing compost, pairing with Cedar Grove Composting, they will shift to almost all compostable food service items including plates, bowls, utensils, hot dog boats and straws.

To help you be green, here are the NRDC's suggestions specifically regarding cooling efficiently:

Shade Your Windows and the AC Unit: The windows of your house should be shaded with blinds or curtains during warm weather, especially on the south, easy and west sides. This way, the house won't bake while the air conditioning is straining to cool it down. Also, the AC unit itself should be located in a shady spot. A shaded air conditioner can be 10 percent more efficient than one located in the sun.

Use Air Conditioning and Fans Together: Air conditioners are not just replacements for fans. When you place fans around your home, you can raise your thermostat a few degrees to save energy and money, but still remain comfortable. In summer, the breeze of a counter-clockwise fan will make you feel cooler. In the winter, a clockwise fan will efficiently circulate warm air.

Maintain Your Air Conditioner: Maintaining your AC keeps it working effectively and efficiently for many years. The filters should be cleaned every month and the coils should be cleaned once a year. Every two years, be sure to check the refrigerant. If the refrigerant is low, the system isn't performing at peak efficiency.

Buy Energy Star Units: Replacing an older air conditioner with an Energy Star qualified unit is one of the best things you can do regarding cooling efficiently. If everyone in the United States used an Energy Star air conditioner, 1.2 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented from entering the atmosphere. This is equivalent to emissions from 100,000 cars.

Look for these Features When Purchasing: An adjustable timer on the air conditioner allows you to set the AC so it doesn't cool while the house is empty. A digital thermostat allows you to choose a temperature that makes you feel comfortable. A slide-out filter makes it easy to clean regularly.