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Long before Al Gore told us the sky was warming, long before it was chic to conserve energy, and long before it became de rigueur to recycle cans, bottles, plastics and paper, Ed Begley Jr. was living an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Since the 1970s, the actor and environmental activist has been practicing what he preaches. He started by recycling, buying an electric car and making a compost pile – even though at the time he lived in an apartment.
In 1988, he bought a modest, two-bedroom house in Studio City, Calif.
He equipped it with solar panels, which ran everything from his fax machine to his washing machine. A solar oven cooked the vegetarian food he and wife, Rachelle Carson, eat.
A stationary bike helped power a toaster. He pedaled for 10 minutes, creating enough energy to make two pieces of toast.
He rides his bicycle to Hollywood functions. He drives an electric car on longer hauls. He uses Begley’s Best, his own brand of biodegradable household cleanser. He’s all about the efficiencies of re-use. Even the white picket fence around his house is made of recycled plastic milk jugs.
Turns out Begley Jr. was ahead of his time. Although some still debate climate change and its causes, businesses and consumers increasingly are attuned to reducing their carbon footprints and waste.
Begley Jr. remains a tireless advocate for the environment. His book,Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life (Clarkson Potter, $18), shows how even those on meager budgets can help conserve energy and resources. His tips span from simple to sophisticated – use baking soda and vinegar instead of Comet; replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents; rig wind turbines and solar panels to your roof.
His television show, Living With Ed, amplified his message through real-life encounters with friends and family. And, of course, he’s willing to answer questions from the media.
Here are his thoughts on innovation and conservation.
Inventors Digest: To what extent do you believe we can innovate our way to a more environmentally sustainable future?
EB: I’m quite hopeful that certain technologies, combined with good old-fashioned conservation, can lead to a sustainable future. The innovations of the solar panel, the modern wind turbine, and the catalytic converter are just a few examples of what we’ve already accomplished.
ID: Where do you see some of the more promising areas of energy innovation?
EB: I think energy conservation is always the first place and best place to look. We get immediate relief on so many levels. Then, solar, wind and bio-fuels would be the next items on my list.
ID: Give us your thoughts on how independent inventors and entrepreneurs can help develop alternative energy technologies.
EB: There must always be a space at the table for the small entrepreneur. They have helped so much in the past, and are not beholden to any special interest, and that has great value for the future.
ID: Do you believe celebrities have a responsibility to use their fame or name recognition in service of causes greater than their own careers?
EB: I think that any citizen has a right to voice their opinion. But anyone famous in law, medicine, sports or show business has an added responsibility to get their facts straight, because they have such a loud megaphone that can do so much harm – or good.
ID: What do you think is the greatest invention or innovation developed in your life time?
EB: The solar panel. Past sunlight, stored in oil or coal, has taken us very far, but we need to get more of our energy from today’s sunlight shining down upon us. In any sensible cost/benefit analysis, it comes out way ahead.
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