Going Green Costs Green

Boulder, Colo has pledged to fight global warming by cutting greenhouse-gas emissions to 7% below its 1990 levels. This town of liberals and college students is discovering the true cost of that pledge.

Payback Periods for Various Upgrades:
Solar = 19.6yrs
Windows = 34.2yrs
A/C = 13.3yrs
Fridge = 13.6yrs

Suddenly, going green is going to cost Boulder residents a lot of green. (WSJ Article)

What’s the right solution? Does the cost justify the investment? At what point does the decision to buy solar panels (that take 19yrs to pay for themselves) become rational?

We must answer these questions if the world is to become a cleaner place.

Click image below for Interactive Graphics (Source: WSJ)