Green Energy Solutions|Living a greener life
Sep
29
Filed Under (Green) by
Andrew Oke asked:
With today’s rising energy costs, and no relief in sight, many consumers are looking to live “off the grid.” Even with an initial investment that can be steep, the benefits make it much more economical in the long run.
There are small and some not so small ways why off the grid living is a good alternative today. Even though the economical outlay can be steep at first, in the long run it definitely makes more sense for the environment.
Raising your own food is a good way to begin living off the grid. This way, you eat organically while being secure in the knowledge that no dangerous hormones or chemicals are being introduced into your animals.
A cow can provide milk, butter and ultimately beef and leather. Chickens can provide eggs and meat, and flavoring for soup stock. Sheep can provide wool for warmth, and lambs for food; while goats are very good milk producers. Once you have a garden set up, you should never be short of vegetables. Canning and freezing is simple and cost effective for greens all winter long.
People that choose to live off the grid usually do require transportation, but with the availability of hybrid cars; and the research towards possible ethanol fueled cars; wanting to avoid oil products is not as much of a hindrance now. The Amish have the best means of transportation with their horse and buggies. Of course, maintenance on the buggies and upkeep for the horses can be time consuming, but the benefit of no oil product consumption is a great motivator. Horses can also be used for plowing fields, entertainment and also as income if breeding is something one was interested in.
Buying clothes is becoming much more expensive these days. Children as young as five can’t go to school in hand me downs or thrift store clothing because they will be teased. When living off the grid, you don’t need to be stylish, and you probably have no desire to be stylish either. Spinning wool from your sheep, and knitting or weaving clothes and blankets is a great way to save money. Of course, these days, handspun wool can be a great income generator, as well as wool products, such as handknit sweaters and socks. Buying fabric from a local merchant is less expensive than buying clothes in a store, and can be just as nice as long as you know the basics of sewing. For some, sewing may be difficult, but that is an easy hurdle to overcome. There is always someone who would be willing to barter, especially if you are located near anyone else who chooses off the grid living. Sharing your talents with others make self sustainable living much more enjoyable.
Generating heat and energy is always a concern for those who choose to live off the grid. There are several choices available, but the initial investment can be steep. Once the infrastructure is setup, there is no reason to pay your power bill monthly, or to worry that you are going to freeze in the middle of the night during a storm. Having your own power supply means freedom from being at the mercy of repair crews in the middle of the night when the power line has been knocked down, and also is much safer. Power is not vital to survival, and life can be enjoyable without it.
There are two power supply options with readily available instructions online. Solar and wind energy can be very efficient, and have the benefit of being much cleaner than coal, oil or gas, and definitely much safer than nuclear power plants. There are several sources of this information available… just search “off grid living”
The Amish community is a good example of living off the grid. They have even been able to integrate into the community without sacrificing their values or their way of life. If more people were willing and able to follow their lead, our carbon footprint would be lessened, and our dependence on foreign oil would be nonexistent.
If we each made some small progress in living green, there would be more people willing to make that next step to move off the grid, and our world would be a much cleaner home for all.
Winifred
With today’s rising energy costs, and no relief in sight, many consumers are looking to live “off the grid.” Even with an initial investment that can be steep, the benefits make it much more economical in the long run.
There are small and some not so small ways why off the grid living is a good alternative today. Even though the economical outlay can be steep at first, in the long run it definitely makes more sense for the environment.
Raising your own food is a good way to begin living off the grid. This way, you eat organically while being secure in the knowledge that no dangerous hormones or chemicals are being introduced into your animals.
A cow can provide milk, butter and ultimately beef and leather. Chickens can provide eggs and meat, and flavoring for soup stock. Sheep can provide wool for warmth, and lambs for food; while goats are very good milk producers. Once you have a garden set up, you should never be short of vegetables. Canning and freezing is simple and cost effective for greens all winter long.
People that choose to live off the grid usually do require transportation, but with the availability of hybrid cars; and the research towards possible ethanol fueled cars; wanting to avoid oil products is not as much of a hindrance now. The Amish have the best means of transportation with their horse and buggies. Of course, maintenance on the buggies and upkeep for the horses can be time consuming, but the benefit of no oil product consumption is a great motivator. Horses can also be used for plowing fields, entertainment and also as income if breeding is something one was interested in.
Buying clothes is becoming much more expensive these days. Children as young as five can’t go to school in hand me downs or thrift store clothing because they will be teased. When living off the grid, you don’t need to be stylish, and you probably have no desire to be stylish either. Spinning wool from your sheep, and knitting or weaving clothes and blankets is a great way to save money. Of course, these days, handspun wool can be a great income generator, as well as wool products, such as handknit sweaters and socks. Buying fabric from a local merchant is less expensive than buying clothes in a store, and can be just as nice as long as you know the basics of sewing. For some, sewing may be difficult, but that is an easy hurdle to overcome. There is always someone who would be willing to barter, especially if you are located near anyone else who chooses off the grid living. Sharing your talents with others make self sustainable living much more enjoyable.
Generating heat and energy is always a concern for those who choose to live off the grid. There are several choices available, but the initial investment can be steep. Once the infrastructure is setup, there is no reason to pay your power bill monthly, or to worry that you are going to freeze in the middle of the night during a storm. Having your own power supply means freedom from being at the mercy of repair crews in the middle of the night when the power line has been knocked down, and also is much safer. Power is not vital to survival, and life can be enjoyable without it.
There are two power supply options with readily available instructions online. Solar and wind energy can be very efficient, and have the benefit of being much cleaner than coal, oil or gas, and definitely much safer than nuclear power plants. There are several sources of this information available… just search “off grid living”
The Amish community is a good example of living off the grid. They have even been able to integrate into the community without sacrificing their values or their way of life. If more people were willing and able to follow their lead, our carbon footprint would be lessened, and our dependence on foreign oil would be nonexistent.
If we each made some small progress in living green, there would be more people willing to make that next step to move off the grid, and our world would be a much cleaner home for all.
Winifred
Comments Off
Sep
28
Filed Under (Green) by
David Brooks asked:
August, 2005: I read an online article this morning about a ‘war games’ simulation conducted in America showing how fuel prices could soar as a result of certain events, such as terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia and Alaska, political instability in Nigeria and other scenarios. In short, fuel supplies would be choked, the cost of oil would soar to $120 per barrel, gas would rise to $5.30 per gallon and the U.S. would slide into an economic recession.
April, 2008: Fuel is trading at a record high of approximately $118 per barrel and the national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.56.
August, 2005: Let’s put this in perspective, current fuel prices in Iceland are approximately 110 kronur per liter. At today’s rate of exchange of 64 krona per dollar, the cost of a gallon of gasoline in Iceland is $6.43. Talk about “crisis level” prices! The current U.S. national average for gasoline is $2.21 per gallon that would be 37.8 kronur per liter. If we saw this price at our local gas station, we would be shocked by the amazing deal being offered. We would immediately fill our gas tank to the top and then alert all of our friends. The “crisis level” price of $5.30/gallon as stated in this article,
correlates to approximately 91 kronur per liter. This would still be considered a deal.
August, 2005: It is time that Americans face the reality that their energy policies, attitudes and behaviors need to change. Most Americans believe that driving is a birthright and if they want a 500 horsepower, 10-cylinder, viper-powered sport truck that gets six miles per gallon then, so be it. Wait till these people have to spend $250-300 to fill their 40-gallon (152-litre) tank. The average European is already dealing with what the average American would call “crisis level” gas prices. They do it by purchasing automobiles with small displacement gasoline and diesel engines. Most of the trucks (SUVs) here are diesels, very few are in America. In fact, in many cases, in America diesels aren’t even offered.
April, 2008: The cost to fill a 40 gallon tank would be approximately, and conservatively $142.40 at $3.56 per gallon. Diesel fuel is quite a bit more expensive and many independent truckers are operating at a loss, some have even started staging protests by blocking roads. And, for the first time since 1980, Americans are driving less. Sales of hybrid cars are growing strong but most Americans have a strong bias towards large, inefficient automobiles. Meanwhile, the top three U.S. auto manufacturers are in big trouble as sales of SUVs has dropped significantly and they have not invested enough in the development of fuel-efficient cars that people would actually like to buy.
August, 2005: I am always converting prices in Iceland to U.S. dollars. This is something I should stop doing because I can’t help but be consistently amazed at how expensive things are here. But living in Iceland has taught me to adapt. Yes, fuel is expensive here – so is everything. So, drive a smaller car. I am not saying that Icelanders are somehow inherently more environmentally enlightened than Americans. If you ask me, Icelanders are a lot like Americans: they love their cars and they are major consumers. It’s just that the tax climate and general high costs of life in this country are very prohibitive. And, Icelanders remember more vividly what it is like to go without.
August, 2005: The current consensus is that fuel prices will not stay at this level and will most likely drop again. Many experts claim that this is an issue of refinery capacity, not a lack of oil. Nevertheless, it seems obvious that this is a sneak preview of what’s to come for the world in general and the United States specifically. I don’t know about you, but this sneak preview frightens me. I don’t see much movement in Americans’ willingness to embrace change in the energy arena. We can only hope that they wake up to this looming global reality and that the next U.S. president will be a strong leader, willing to promulgate a more sensible and logical energy policy.
April, 2008: I am not so sure that the US fuel prices are likely to come down significantly anymore. I sometimes fear for the future and wonder what kind of world my children will inherit as oil becomes scarcer and scarcer; we have already fought two wars in the gulf. Could more wars be in our future over energy? If you think we are feeling the pinch now just wait till China and India demand a larger share of the world’s oil output.
Don’t get me wrong, I love cars. I love driving. Part of me is sad and disappointed that I will never get to own the sports car of my dreams. Or, maybe that sports car will be an electric one like the Tesla! But times are changing and if we don’t start moving aggressively towards much greater fuel efficiency standards and other renewable energy sources for electricity, like geothermal, wind and solar, we could have a very bleak future ahead of us indeed.
I recently read that Iceland is one of the few countries that have a solid plan to go 100% non-fossil fuel by 2050. They are already investing in hydrogen powered cars and buses and have one of the first hydrogen fuel stations right in the capital city of Reykjavik. They already get almost all of their electricity needs met by geothermal and hydroelectric power. Wouldn’t it be ironic if this tiny island nation ends up leading the way towards clean and renewable energy economies in the 21st century? Weirder things have happened.
Iceland is a rich source for green energy development, and has many of the top companies in geothermal power plants and hydroelectric power plants. – David Brooks
Darby
August, 2005: I read an online article this morning about a ‘war games’ simulation conducted in America showing how fuel prices could soar as a result of certain events, such as terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia and Alaska, political instability in Nigeria and other scenarios. In short, fuel supplies would be choked, the cost of oil would soar to $120 per barrel, gas would rise to $5.30 per gallon and the U.S. would slide into an economic recession.
April, 2008: Fuel is trading at a record high of approximately $118 per barrel and the national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.56.
August, 2005: Let’s put this in perspective, current fuel prices in Iceland are approximately 110 kronur per liter. At today’s rate of exchange of 64 krona per dollar, the cost of a gallon of gasoline in Iceland is $6.43. Talk about “crisis level” prices! The current U.S. national average for gasoline is $2.21 per gallon that would be 37.8 kronur per liter. If we saw this price at our local gas station, we would be shocked by the amazing deal being offered. We would immediately fill our gas tank to the top and then alert all of our friends. The “crisis level” price of $5.30/gallon as stated in this article,
correlates to approximately 91 kronur per liter. This would still be considered a deal.
August, 2005: It is time that Americans face the reality that their energy policies, attitudes and behaviors need to change. Most Americans believe that driving is a birthright and if they want a 500 horsepower, 10-cylinder, viper-powered sport truck that gets six miles per gallon then, so be it. Wait till these people have to spend $250-300 to fill their 40-gallon (152-litre) tank. The average European is already dealing with what the average American would call “crisis level” gas prices. They do it by purchasing automobiles with small displacement gasoline and diesel engines. Most of the trucks (SUVs) here are diesels, very few are in America. In fact, in many cases, in America diesels aren’t even offered.
April, 2008: The cost to fill a 40 gallon tank would be approximately, and conservatively $142.40 at $3.56 per gallon. Diesel fuel is quite a bit more expensive and many independent truckers are operating at a loss, some have even started staging protests by blocking roads. And, for the first time since 1980, Americans are driving less. Sales of hybrid cars are growing strong but most Americans have a strong bias towards large, inefficient automobiles. Meanwhile, the top three U.S. auto manufacturers are in big trouble as sales of SUVs has dropped significantly and they have not invested enough in the development of fuel-efficient cars that people would actually like to buy.
August, 2005: I am always converting prices in Iceland to U.S. dollars. This is something I should stop doing because I can’t help but be consistently amazed at how expensive things are here. But living in Iceland has taught me to adapt. Yes, fuel is expensive here – so is everything. So, drive a smaller car. I am not saying that Icelanders are somehow inherently more environmentally enlightened than Americans. If you ask me, Icelanders are a lot like Americans: they love their cars and they are major consumers. It’s just that the tax climate and general high costs of life in this country are very prohibitive. And, Icelanders remember more vividly what it is like to go without.
August, 2005: The current consensus is that fuel prices will not stay at this level and will most likely drop again. Many experts claim that this is an issue of refinery capacity, not a lack of oil. Nevertheless, it seems obvious that this is a sneak preview of what’s to come for the world in general and the United States specifically. I don’t know about you, but this sneak preview frightens me. I don’t see much movement in Americans’ willingness to embrace change in the energy arena. We can only hope that they wake up to this looming global reality and that the next U.S. president will be a strong leader, willing to promulgate a more sensible and logical energy policy.
April, 2008: I am not so sure that the US fuel prices are likely to come down significantly anymore. I sometimes fear for the future and wonder what kind of world my children will inherit as oil becomes scarcer and scarcer; we have already fought two wars in the gulf. Could more wars be in our future over energy? If you think we are feeling the pinch now just wait till China and India demand a larger share of the world’s oil output.
Don’t get me wrong, I love cars. I love driving. Part of me is sad and disappointed that I will never get to own the sports car of my dreams. Or, maybe that sports car will be an electric one like the Tesla! But times are changing and if we don’t start moving aggressively towards much greater fuel efficiency standards and other renewable energy sources for electricity, like geothermal, wind and solar, we could have a very bleak future ahead of us indeed.
I recently read that Iceland is one of the few countries that have a solid plan to go 100% non-fossil fuel by 2050. They are already investing in hydrogen powered cars and buses and have one of the first hydrogen fuel stations right in the capital city of Reykjavik. They already get almost all of their electricity needs met by geothermal and hydroelectric power. Wouldn’t it be ironic if this tiny island nation ends up leading the way towards clean and renewable energy economies in the 21st century? Weirder things have happened.
Iceland is a rich source for green energy development, and has many of the top companies in geothermal power plants and hydroelectric power plants. – David Brooks
Darby
Comments Off
Sep
20
Filed Under (Green) by
Andy Adams asked:
In these days of increased energy costs whether it’s Gas, Oil or Petrol many governments around the world are looking for an alternative that is both cost-effective and kind to our environment. The green issue seems to be the latest concern of the government in the UK and with oil prices skyrocketing they are keen to levy their dependence on these fuels.
Alternative energy sources have already been introduced sporadically in the UK with wind turbines being placed in windy areas of the country such as just outside Barnsley in South Yorkshire. The idea has caught on with many wind farms being situated all over the country, much to the ramblers and country folk’s disapproval.
One new proposal involves yet another alternative energy source derived from nature, tidal power. In January of this year the Welsh Assembly and UK Government launched a study into whether using the Severn estuary to capture href=”http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx”>electricity through tidal power was possible. After all the River Severn has the second largest tidal range in the world.
There are two different methods being tested for feasibility, being Tidal streams and Tidal ranges. Tidal streams generate electricity by having large free standing turbines turned by the force of the water, this works in a similar fashion to wind turbines and is considered to have a lower environmental impact.
Environmental impact is a big concern for the initiative as the area is a vital feeding ground for many wading birds and any major installations would disrupt the local wildlife.
The other tidal method, ranges involves a large chain of devices which take advantage of the large difference between low and high tide, and stores water to be released when the tide is low passing it through a turbine which generates the energy that will be used to create href=”http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx”>electricity. Engineers believe this to be the best method for the Severn estuary but it is much more invasive to local wildlife.
Whilst it is admirable that we are looking to renewable energy and natural means of getting href=”http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx”>electricity it is important that we consider all the implications such as wildlife when we start putting up wind farms and water turbines.
Paine
In these days of increased energy costs whether it’s Gas, Oil or Petrol many governments around the world are looking for an alternative that is both cost-effective and kind to our environment. The green issue seems to be the latest concern of the government in the UK and with oil prices skyrocketing they are keen to levy their dependence on these fuels.
Alternative energy sources have already been introduced sporadically in the UK with wind turbines being placed in windy areas of the country such as just outside Barnsley in South Yorkshire. The idea has caught on with many wind farms being situated all over the country, much to the ramblers and country folk’s disapproval.
One new proposal involves yet another alternative energy source derived from nature, tidal power. In January of this year the Welsh Assembly and UK Government launched a study into whether using the Severn estuary to capture href=”http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx”>electricity through tidal power was possible. After all the River Severn has the second largest tidal range in the world.
There are two different methods being tested for feasibility, being Tidal streams and Tidal ranges. Tidal streams generate electricity by having large free standing turbines turned by the force of the water, this works in a similar fashion to wind turbines and is considered to have a lower environmental impact.
Environmental impact is a big concern for the initiative as the area is a vital feeding ground for many wading birds and any major installations would disrupt the local wildlife.
The other tidal method, ranges involves a large chain of devices which take advantage of the large difference between low and high tide, and stores water to be released when the tide is low passing it through a turbine which generates the energy that will be used to create href=”http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx”>electricity. Engineers believe this to be the best method for the Severn estuary but it is much more invasive to local wildlife.
Whilst it is admirable that we are looking to renewable energy and natural means of getting href=”http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx”>electricity it is important that we consider all the implications such as wildlife when we start putting up wind farms and water turbines.
Paine
Comments Off
Sep
15
Filed Under (Green) by
James Copper asked:
Green energy is gaining proponents throughout the globe. Many utility companies, notably in the United States, are now offering the opportunity for residents and commercial customers to choose to go green. One of the latest of these programs took place in Cincinnati Ohio just recently, when a major utility, Duke Energy Ohio, announced that its green energy pilot program application had been approved by the states public utilities commission.
What this means is that Duke Energy Ohio customers, whether residential or commercial does not matter, can now choose renewable green energy as their source of power for their homes, stores, warehouses, or offices. They can choose biomass power, solar power, wind power, low head hydropower or anything else renewable and available within their part of the state. They still pay their energy bill as they always have, although they may see a slight increase in the cost.
The way this Ohio green energy program works is that Duke Energy has designated one initial 200 kilowatt hour block of green energy for each month, and has another option to purchase additional 100 kilowatt blocks as needed in response to customer demand. Green energy customers would pay an addition 2.5 cents for each of these kilowatt hours kWh above the standard Duke Energy rate. This cost is to defray the added expanse of renewable energy.
Duke Energy took the stand that green energy is becoming more and more important to the environment and its residents. It is the utilitys hope that this program will encourage additional participation in and development of green energy programs throughout the entire state of Ohio and beyond. It was the decision of Duke Energy executives that customers were ever more environmentally and green energy conscious and needed this additional electric service option.
The Duke Energy Ohio green energy program is in its pilot program phase until January 1, 2009. Based on the continued and growing supply of renewable energy and customers willingness to participate the program will continue beyond the pilot. In the very near future Duke Energy Ohio customers will be able to go direct to the companys Web site and sign up for green energy. Users can already go to the Duke Energy site and learn about green energy and how it saves their money and their environment as well. Videos that educate customers on the various money and energy saving options are found there, as well as information on loan sources for energy conservation that include installation of green energy equipment and measures. There are also some grants available for companies and consumers who want to go green.
Duke Energy Corporation, the parent of Duke Energy Ohio is one of the largest of the U.S. electric power providers, with nearly four million customers. In the Midwest and North and South Carolina, Duke Energy supplies 37,000 megawatts of electricity. In Kentucky and Ohio it is the major supplier of natural gas. Outside of the United States, Duke Energy supplies 4000 electric megawatts to various parts of Latin America.
Duke Energy Ohio has 680,000 electric power customers and 42,000 natural gas customers.
Gaemi
Green energy is gaining proponents throughout the globe. Many utility companies, notably in the United States, are now offering the opportunity for residents and commercial customers to choose to go green. One of the latest of these programs took place in Cincinnati Ohio just recently, when a major utility, Duke Energy Ohio, announced that its green energy pilot program application had been approved by the states public utilities commission.
What this means is that Duke Energy Ohio customers, whether residential or commercial does not matter, can now choose renewable green energy as their source of power for their homes, stores, warehouses, or offices. They can choose biomass power, solar power, wind power, low head hydropower or anything else renewable and available within their part of the state. They still pay their energy bill as they always have, although they may see a slight increase in the cost.
The way this Ohio green energy program works is that Duke Energy has designated one initial 200 kilowatt hour block of green energy for each month, and has another option to purchase additional 100 kilowatt blocks as needed in response to customer demand. Green energy customers would pay an addition 2.5 cents for each of these kilowatt hours kWh above the standard Duke Energy rate. This cost is to defray the added expanse of renewable energy.
Duke Energy took the stand that green energy is becoming more and more important to the environment and its residents. It is the utilitys hope that this program will encourage additional participation in and development of green energy programs throughout the entire state of Ohio and beyond. It was the decision of Duke Energy executives that customers were ever more environmentally and green energy conscious and needed this additional electric service option.
The Duke Energy Ohio green energy program is in its pilot program phase until January 1, 2009. Based on the continued and growing supply of renewable energy and customers willingness to participate the program will continue beyond the pilot. In the very near future Duke Energy Ohio customers will be able to go direct to the companys Web site and sign up for green energy. Users can already go to the Duke Energy site and learn about green energy and how it saves their money and their environment as well. Videos that educate customers on the various money and energy saving options are found there, as well as information on loan sources for energy conservation that include installation of green energy equipment and measures. There are also some grants available for companies and consumers who want to go green.
Duke Energy Corporation, the parent of Duke Energy Ohio is one of the largest of the U.S. electric power providers, with nearly four million customers. In the Midwest and North and South Carolina, Duke Energy supplies 37,000 megawatts of electricity. In Kentucky and Ohio it is the major supplier of natural gas. Outside of the United States, Duke Energy supplies 4000 electric megawatts to various parts of Latin America.
Duke Energy Ohio has 680,000 electric power customers and 42,000 natural gas customers.
Gaemi
Comments Off
Sep
02
Filed Under (Green) by
Virginia Ginsburg asked:
(c) 2008 Virginia Ginsburg
The human race puts a huge strain on the environment, and our dependence on fossil fuels to create the lifestyle to which we are accustomed in the United States continues to grow. Environmentalists have been talking about global climate change for decades, and their message has finally made it into the mainstream and is even impacting national policy.
When we think of big concerns like the entire planet, it can be difficult to imagine how any single individual can make an impact, but the old adage of “think globally, act locally,” has never been more appropriate. You can in fact make a difference in the world by making a few simple changes in your home to reduce your negative impact on the world.
1. Buy organic
The US organic food community has been slowly building a multi-billion dollar alternative to industrial agriculture over the past three decades. In addition to some of the trail blazers, mainstream brands are also jumping on the bandwagon as they recognize consumers’ demand for organic options. You can now find organic produce in most grocery stores. Remember that there are organic options for almost every item in your pantry, including staples like flour, pasta and canned goods, that can be produced without toxic pesticides.
2. Bigger packages; less packaging
Whenever possible, buy products in bulk to avoid the plastic packaging that goes into most food items. The recent trend towards 100-calorie snack bags may be great for our waistlines, but it can increase the packaging of the same amount of product by 20 times. Instead, buy in bulk and repackage smaller quantities in reusable packaging. It ends up being a benefit to your wallet as well!
3. Recycle
Many of the items used in the kitchen can be recycled, and it is a natural place in which to house your recycling bin. Most cities easily accept cans, bottles and paper products. Check your local recycling center for other packaging products like plastic and Styrofoam. Keep your recycling bin right next to your trash can, and always consider which bin it belongs in before automatically tossing it in the trash.
4. Use recycled products
From paper towels, a staple in most kitchens, to paper napkins, paper plates and other paper-based materials, you can close the loop on your recycling efforts by choosing products made from recycled products. All that paper that you diligently recycle finds its home in these products, and they work just as well as less environmentally-friendly alternatives.
5. Green energy
Your appliances can use a significant amount of electricity, so the next time that you are replacing them, look for the Energy Star seal, which means that the appliance has been certified to have a low rate of energy use. Also look into your lighting – if you have traditional incandescent bulbs, replace them with one of many energy saving alternatives. As with many “green” choices, you will save your wallet as well as the Earth!
6. Shopping bag savvy
How much plastic do you waste every year by using shopping bags only once? You can reuse the free shopping bags that you get from the grocery store for years if you take care of them properly. When it comes to shopping bags, the options are many, and bags range from trendy to basic, from canvas to recycled plastic or even, in some cases, vintage clothing refashioned into stylish totes. Keep 5-10 in your car at all times, and, more importantly, use them!
If everyone in the U.S. took just one of these six steps, the damage that we are doing to our environment would be reduced. So think about it – what can you do today to make an impact on tomorrow?
Howard
(c) 2008 Virginia Ginsburg
The human race puts a huge strain on the environment, and our dependence on fossil fuels to create the lifestyle to which we are accustomed in the United States continues to grow. Environmentalists have been talking about global climate change for decades, and their message has finally made it into the mainstream and is even impacting national policy.
When we think of big concerns like the entire planet, it can be difficult to imagine how any single individual can make an impact, but the old adage of “think globally, act locally,” has never been more appropriate. You can in fact make a difference in the world by making a few simple changes in your home to reduce your negative impact on the world.
1. Buy organic
The US organic food community has been slowly building a multi-billion dollar alternative to industrial agriculture over the past three decades. In addition to some of the trail blazers, mainstream brands are also jumping on the bandwagon as they recognize consumers’ demand for organic options. You can now find organic produce in most grocery stores. Remember that there are organic options for almost every item in your pantry, including staples like flour, pasta and canned goods, that can be produced without toxic pesticides.
2. Bigger packages; less packaging
Whenever possible, buy products in bulk to avoid the plastic packaging that goes into most food items. The recent trend towards 100-calorie snack bags may be great for our waistlines, but it can increase the packaging of the same amount of product by 20 times. Instead, buy in bulk and repackage smaller quantities in reusable packaging. It ends up being a benefit to your wallet as well!
3. Recycle
Many of the items used in the kitchen can be recycled, and it is a natural place in which to house your recycling bin. Most cities easily accept cans, bottles and paper products. Check your local recycling center for other packaging products like plastic and Styrofoam. Keep your recycling bin right next to your trash can, and always consider which bin it belongs in before automatically tossing it in the trash.
4. Use recycled products
From paper towels, a staple in most kitchens, to paper napkins, paper plates and other paper-based materials, you can close the loop on your recycling efforts by choosing products made from recycled products. All that paper that you diligently recycle finds its home in these products, and they work just as well as less environmentally-friendly alternatives.
5. Green energy
Your appliances can use a significant amount of electricity, so the next time that you are replacing them, look for the Energy Star seal, which means that the appliance has been certified to have a low rate of energy use. Also look into your lighting – if you have traditional incandescent bulbs, replace them with one of many energy saving alternatives. As with many “green” choices, you will save your wallet as well as the Earth!
6. Shopping bag savvy
How much plastic do you waste every year by using shopping bags only once? You can reuse the free shopping bags that you get from the grocery store for years if you take care of them properly. When it comes to shopping bags, the options are many, and bags range from trendy to basic, from canvas to recycled plastic or even, in some cases, vintage clothing refashioned into stylish totes. Keep 5-10 in your car at all times, and, more importantly, use them!
If everyone in the U.S. took just one of these six steps, the damage that we are doing to our environment would be reduced. So think about it – what can you do today to make an impact on tomorrow?
Howard
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