How Much is 2,000 Watts?

2,000 Watts

Worldwide, each person consumes an average of 2,000 watts of constant energy to support his or her lifestyle. The average Swiss consumed precisely that amount of energy in 1960. However, energy consumption has tripled since then and is now 6,300 watts (55,000 kWh per year). It is far lower in poorer developing countries. The vision of the “2,000-Watt Society” aspires to attain globally fair and sustainable development. To accomplish this, per capita consumption and CO2 emissions must be drastically reduced in industrialized nations. The citizens of Zurich enshrined the 2,000-Watt Society as a guiding concept in their municipal constitution. This ambitious goal calls for measures in all areas of life: technological advances and increases in efficiency, but also a rethinking of every individual’s consumption behavior.

One Ton of CO2

Another goal of the 2,000-Watt Society isthe reduction of greenhouse-gas emissionsbecause they accelerate climate change.Crude oil and gas must be replaced by renewableenergy sources. Annual CO2 emissionsper person should be lowered from 8tons to 1 ton.

Fair Distribution

Today the industrialized nations consumeso much fossil energy that too little remainsfor the development of future generationsand poorer countries.One of the 2,000-Watt Society’s objectivesis that all regions of the world have the samesustainable development perspectivesand can secure people›s basic needs: food,health, work, mobility and accommodations.

Global Energy Consumption


Targets per Person


Watt Equivalents

Accommodations

Energy-efficient houses can use up to 80% less energy in comparison with older buildings. Residents can also control consumption through their behavior with regard to heating and ventilation, as well as by preventing unnecessary standby power consumption. The size of the homes we choose is decisive. In the past 30 years, that has increased significantly. On average, the Swiss now use 470 sq. ft. of living space each, while in the U.S. the average is 720 sq. ft.

Mobility

The combustion of fossil fuels in motorsaccounts for 35%. Americans drive 12,000miles by car each year. The Swiss, on theother hand, drive about 5,600 miles. In cities,cars become less important becauseof denser construction and available publictransportation.

Electricity

Worldwide, most electricity is generated inthermal power plants (e.g., coal-fired, gasfired or nuclear power plants). Only a quarterof the primary energy fed in becomeselectricity; 75% is lost. Powering an electriccar or heat pump with thermally generatedelectricity instead of electricity fromrenewable sources does nothing to counteractclimate change.

Consumption

Gray energy and scarce resources are hiddenin everyday goods. As a rule of thumb,spending 1 U.S. dollar entails energy consumptionof 1 kilowatt hour. But does qualityof life always have to mean consumption?What we consume matters. Meat, especiallybeef, requires a great deal of land, waterand energy. One pound of beef accounts forten times more gray energy than a poundof pasta. Because of intermediate storage,processing and transportation costs, seasonaland regional foodstuffs are more sustainablethan meat, fast food or conveniencefoods.

Gray Energy

Every consumer good, every service andeven every energy source carries an invisible“energy backpack”: the gray energyrequired for production, processing andtransportation. What matters for the environmentis not only the immediately usedenergy, but rather the entire input from source to final usage.

How Much CO2 Do We Produce?

0.3t –One year of train travel (daily commuting distance 15 miles)
1.4t –One year of car travel (5,600 miles/year, 15 miles/day)
3.6t –1 flight New York - Zurich - New York (7,500 miles)
1.0t –Electricity consumption in one year (7,000 kWh) with Switzerland’s consumption mix (incl. imported electricity)
0.15t –7,000 kWh of electricity from renewable sources



Rule of Thumb: Spending $1 entails energy consumption of 1 kilowatt hour.


Energy Up in Smoke – A diesel-powered vehicle utilizes only one-fifth of the energy originally obtained from the crude oil.

 

What Can Your City Do?

The vision of the 2,000-WattSociety has been a powerful tool for the city of Zurich. It simultaneously offers symbolic value and entails tangible measures. Committing to a clear policy concept is the key to enabling people and communities to act for their future. Zurich is moving toward sustainable living and every city can do the same!

Buy Electric Power from Renewable Sources

"Wind Farms in California" – High potential for renewable energy: wind farms in California. – Photo: Darrell Clarke

Coal- and oil-fueled power plants are strongly affecting our climate. Therefore voters in Zurich decided to gradually phase out fossil energy and shift toward renewable energy sources. Communities must change their consumption habits by choosing electricity from hydroelectric, wind, photovoltaic or biomass sources.

Urban Planning

The Highline Park in Manhattan– Public gardens in a dense urban context: The Highline Park in Manhattan was designed by DillerScofidio and Renfro architects. – Photo: Iwan Baan

A holistic approach to urban planning allows cities to establish the core values of sustainable living. Dense developments and high-rise apartment buildings help keep daily distances short and buildings compact. Density encourages a reduced use of automobiles, especially when there is a good public transportation network and green spaces are incorporated into the city.

Strengthen Public Transportation

"Light Rail in Downtown Portland, Oregon" – Public transportation contributes to liveable cities. Photo: Darrell Clarke, light-rail.blogspot.com

Zurich is proud of its powerful network of urban railways and streetcar lines, reaching out into the suburbs and neighboring states. The United States is experiencing similar progress as the public transportation infrastructure in dense urban areas continues to become more efficient. Excellent public transportation offers a viable alternative to cars, thereby alleviating traffic and cutting down on greenhouse-gas emissions. This enhances the quality of life in the city.

Guidelines for Sustainable Construction

To confront the challenge of reducing energy consumption, Zurich has embraced the vision of the 2,000 Watt Society. Similar movements exist in the United States, such as the 2030 Challenge, which aims to have all new buildings and major renovations be carbon neutral by 2030. Both visions share the same core message: To change the status quo in construction, it is important to introduce and enforce standards.
These targets may be accomplished by implementing innovative sustainable design strategies, generating on-site renewable power and/or purchasing renewable energy.