Celebrate Cleaner Energy Use This Holiday Season

A recent poll from Energy Upgrade California found that 66 percent of San Diego residents believe their household management of electricity use is making a positive impact on climate change and energy issues.

While people believe there’s a connection between energy use and climate change, it’s also important to keep in mind that it isn’t just about reducing energy use in homes and places of business. It is about making sure you are using cleaner energy when it is available. Cleaner energy is mostly available when the sun is up and the wind is blowing so most residents already have access through their current electricity providers.

In order to protect the places and things residents love about their cities from climate change, residents across the state, starting in San Diego, must not only think about how but also when electricity is used to power their daily lives. Instead of using energy during peak demand this holiday season, Energy Upgrade California suggests getting outdoors and enjoying all that San Diego has to offer. Here’s a list of some of San Diego’s most beautiful spots to start planning your next adventure:

• Take in a sunset at Sunset Cliffs.
• Watch the seals play at La Jolla Cove.
• Play a round of golf at Torrey Pines.
• Hike Potato Chip Rock.
• Take photos for your holiday card at Scripps Pier.
• Walk around Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
• Get in the holiday spirit at Bates Nut Farm.

And here's a list of ways that you can start optimizing your cleaner energy usage:

• Turn off all but essential lighting
• Charge your devices overnight versus when you get home from school or work.
• Come home to the smell of ready to eat meals. Set your slow cooker while you’re away for the day and have your dinner made by cleaner energy.
• Load your dishwasher after dinner, but turn it on in the morning — so you can clean your dirty dishes with cleaner energy.

To learn more about how San Diegans can rally together with the rest of California to meet the state’s clean energy goals and preserve the environment, please visit www.energyupgradeca.org.