The environment and us
Ben, Erich and Russell bit - Why shouldn’t I?
A. Copy the list below to your own journal and Bold the actions you are already taking Underline the actions you plan to start taking Italicize the actions that don't apply to you B. Add one (or more) suggested action(s) of your own C. Leave a comment here, so that she can track the meme to your journal, and copy your suggested action(s) back to my master list. Shame - I cannot comment on this, as I'm no a LiveJournal registered user. And I don't intend to be either.
- Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs
- Choose energy efficient appliances - always a criteria when I have a choice. Not always the dominant criteria, though
- Wash clothes in cold(er) water
- Turn the thermostat of your hot water tank down to 50°C (125°F) We have a on-route boiler (calentador de paso - any translators? :) ), it only heats when the hot water pipe is active. Of course, it burns much more intensely than a tank, but still, I feel it's an overall saving
- Install a programmable thermostat (or turn the heat down over night and when you're out of the house) - Pfff... Artificial weather in Mexico City? Don't be silly! ;-)
- Register with the Canadian Marketing Association's Do Not Contact Service to reduce the amount of junk mail delivered to your house. - Would love to.
- Eat less meat (particularly feedlot beef) - Nadezhda is a vegetarian, I seldom eat meat
- Walk, bike, carpool or take public transit as often as possible
- Make sure you know what can be recycled in your area, and try to recycle as much household waste as possible - In this country, recycling is a lot. We hand-recycle some things, but of course, at a very artesanal level
- Compost using an outdoor compost bin or an indoor vermicomposter
- Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner
- Buy local, organic or fair trade food where possible
- Reduce air travel
- Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket
- Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible
- Plant a tree
- Buy fresh foods instead of frozen (Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce)
- Keep your car tuned up and your tires inflated to their optimal pressure
- Use biodegradable dishwashing liquid, laundry soap powder, etc.
- Drink tap water (filtered if necessary) rather than buying bottled water - And not only because of the environment - huge price difference!
- Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth
- Unplug seldom-used appliances and chargers for phones, cameras, etc., when you're not using them
- Plug air leeks and drafts around doors and windows with weatherstripping - I guess this applies to places with heating/AC
- Switch from disposable to reusable products: food and beverage containers, cups, plates, writing pens, razors, diapers, towels, shopping bags, etc. - As much as possible, of course. Or try to reuse those meant to be disposed.
- Consider garage sales, Freecycle, eBay, or borrowing from friends/family before buying a new tool or appliance
Comments
Ben Goodger 2007-03-16 04:50:14
Re: The environment and us
Your boiler is what we in Britain would call a “combi” boiler (short for combination.)
Gunnar 2007-03-16 06:55:29
Re: Re: The environment and us
…Or, if they are to stay on constantly, buy low consumption computers :)
leonel 2007-03-15 17:49:24
Re: The environment and us
Please
TURN OFF the computers at night when nobody uses them
maximise servers that need to be on all time