Welcome back to Change The World Wednesday (#CTWW)! I hope you enjoyed the break and the holidays. There are some exciting changes on Reduce Footprints ... we have a new look ... we have new sponsors ... and, on Monday, we're going to start a new weekly feature (I think it'll be fun). I've also been busy writing articles for other blogs ... the first of them will be posted today at Silverfaeries & Dragonflies. If you have a moment, hop over and check it out.
Okay, are you ready to pick up where we left off? Let's go ...
If this is your first visit, please click HERE for information and a complete list of all the challenges we've taken on so far.
There's a lot of great information in this post and I encourage you to read through it ... however, if you don't have the time right now, you might find the following quick links helpful:
In November we took an energy reading and then spent a month trying to reduce that number. Before taking our break, our challenge was to report back on how well we did. It was a tough challenge, especially as the temperatures dropped in many areas causing some of us to turn on the heat. In my house, the heat is rarely turned on so doing so on the coldest of days caused my energy use to go up. However, that encouraged us to find new ways to minimize use. We decided to close off a bedroom and only heat the main living area. Even though we live in a small space, closing that one room keeps the living area warmer and means we use less heat to stay comfortable. So, while we didn't lower our numbers by 10%, we did learn new techniques for keeping them as low as possible. Let's see how everyone else did:
Since I've been on break, I'm going to do an abbreviated version this update ... I'll be back to "normal" next week.
The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing a post about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Let's see what they had to say this week:
EcoGrrl didn't know where to find her numbers for comparison so, while she still tried to reduce usage, she didn't participate in the challenge. That's a good point, EcoGrrl ... many people don't know how to get their readings. Here are a couple of suggestions ... your energy bill should list Kilowatts used. One can also get the information by logging in to the energy providers website ... they typically offer some great tools for tracking usage. Also, there should be a meter somewhere on your property so, simply go and look at it and make a note of the numbers.
Argentum Vulgaris took on this challenge and learned a lesson. Find out about it HERE.
Katie made a graph, by week, of her use and had a few surprises. Here's her POST.
Some of our twitter participants offered energy saving ideas, in 140 words or less:
From @givetreegifts
-If you haven't already made the switch consider led Christmas lights for your tree. Safe & energy efficient
-I've recently discovered Solar Powered Outdoor LED Christmas lights. I've placed some here w/ my Christmas trees
-Saving Energy Begins at Home.
From @skipbang
-We recently moved to a more energy efficient house - I can tell a huge difference this winter already.
From @accessorygal
-My tip is unplugging the cable box when possible. Apparently it uses as much energy as a small fridge!
-Here's an article about the power consumption of cable boxes/DVRs: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/us/26cable.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
From @orbcandles
-Using our candles! :)
From @allnaturalkatie
-Ikea's solar lamp for working on the computer at night.
The #CTWW Gang are those folks who share our challenges on twitter using the hashtag #CTWW. If you're a Twitter member, I highly recommend following them ... they have a lot of great things to say. Let's meet them:
My Final Thoughts: Reducing our energy use is an on-going effort and, as we found in this challenge, the smallest of actions makes a difference. While there will always be fluctuations in our "numbers", we can better control overall use by understanding the affects of our activities.
Great job, everyone! If you wrote an article, I have Stumbled, Tweeted, Facebooked and posted it on Google +. You can help spread the "green" word by using the share feature at the bottom of this post.
This Week's Challenge:
January is typically the time of year that we set goals, make resolutions and start anew. So, in that spirit, let's take a look at "road blocks" to green living and find some solutions. Here you go ...
This week, please share road blocks to green living. For example, perhaps you'd really like to compost but don't. We'd like to know why. Maybe you don't recycle ... let us know why. We're looking for all the reasons for NOT adopting a green activity. If you're not struggling with any road blocks at this time, then please share ones which you've heard from others. For example, one of the most common reasons is that it's too expensive.
Then ...
Take a look at the road blocks shared and offer solutions. For example, to people who say green living is too expensive, we might share examples of how green living is actually frugal. The idea of this challenge is to help us all find solutions and "bust" all excuses for not living green.
Then ...
Take a look at the road blocks shared and offer solutions. For example, to people who say green living is too expensive, we might share examples of how green living is actually frugal. The idea of this challenge is to help us all find solutions and "bust" all excuses for not living green.
So what do you think? Are you up for this challenge? I know that you are!
And ... for the first time this year ... please join me in our mantra:
WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!
Posts
19 comments:
I am so up for the challenge! Happy New Year!
welcome back!!
quick clarification on the comment about energy use - I know how to look at my monthly energy bills, but monitoring the meters on the house is a bit more of a challenge. Considering my electric bill is only $40/mo, I'm OK :)
But it is a good point about 'obstacles' to going green. For me, a couple bucks saved was not worth the time/energy to investigate my bill further. LED holiday lights, for example, are often touted as energy savers, but the cost/savings comparison has shown that you save maybe a buck on your monthly bill. I very much believe in changing because it's the right thing to do, but there's also financial reality. For me, the perfect example is solar - when you only pay $40/mo for electricity because of your existing conservation efforts, the cost of solar panels is not going to pay for itself like it does for bigger homes.
My biggest challenge this year is to recycle less - know what I mean? Not create the waste in the first place so it needs to be recycled. Since plastics are only downcycled, not recycled, buying anything in plastic containers is something I have to think long and hard about.
Welcome back! I've missed you and LOVE this week's challenge. I have a feeling this is going to be a powerful week resulting in a fantastic resource that we can all point people (and ourselves) to in the future.
This one was near and dear to my heart as where we live it is very difficult to live green. Come by and read my roadblock to green living.
Join the #CTWW gang and read my roadblocks to green living. http://ow.ly/8xyBt . Take the challenge at http://ow.ly/8xyDK
I'd like to return to composting. My prior location did not allow for it, but the only roadblock for the new space is getting a new bin. A spinning one would be best for the space. I hope to come back next week to report that the composting bonanza has started! :).
Energy and environment,very important for us,we havent another wörld for life being so we must take care energy sources,I read all articles carefully,stay well,regards.
I'm so glad you are back! I've missed CTWW and am ready to start the new year.
One green thing I really want to do and have not done yet - is compost. I don't know what my problem is, I just need to DO IT.
Some road blocks have popped up in other places so, I'm adding them here so that we can work on solutions:
From The Organic Blonde: http://theorganicblonde.com/ctww-challenge-roadblocks-green-living/
From @givetreegifts:
We have no facility for recycling plastics, other than milk jugs & pop bottles. We repurpose containers & cut back plastic use
From @pinkladyapril:
Hello! Roadblocks. I'd like to compost but my garden is too small to use the compost (forgot the hashtag last time!)
CTWW up and running, my 'road blocks' are not what you think...
http://ecocrap.wordpress.com/
Nice to have you back SF, lovely surprise this morning, no dribbling.
AV
One of the biggest challenges I continue to struggle with is how to replace worn out electronics when I cannot find any that are not made overseas in tortuous and near-slave conditions with few safety measures in place.
When my family gifted me with the funds to purchase a new Smart phone last summer, I spent the next four months researching the least environmentally damaging, least sweat-shop-made phones. I found absolutely none. NONE!
I considered going without a phone, but living in earthquake country as we do, and taking care of my grandchildren frequently, as I do, I knew it would be irresponsible not to have a portable phone.
I finally discovered an article that said that Apple had assured that new policies were in place in its manufacturing plants to protect workers and prevent the suicides we had heard so much about a few years ago. They also had a few (mostly greenwashing in my mind) environmental procedures in place. I went with the iPhone. Then just the other day, I ran across this article that threw me into an emotional tailspin: "Your iPhone was built, in part, by 13 year olds working 16 hours a day for 70 cents and hour." (http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-child-labor-2012-1)
Buying ANY electronic gadget is generally bad for the planet and bad for people. Yet I continue to justify owning and operating two computers, my iPhone, and several other gadgets, most of which were gifts.
I don't yet have an answer for clearing this road block as big as a mountain.
What a great topic (...and happy new year y'all!)
My biggest roadblock is myself! With too many emotional issues about changing my life, I need Emotionally Intelligent Ways To Go Green Without Getting The Blues!
thank you for spreading the word!
for a better planet, for a better living!
xx
There's a great discussion about roadblocks on Facebook ... over 60 people have weighed in. There are some interesting reasons why people don't go green. Check it out here:
https://www.facebook.com/frugallysustainable/posts/300967059954620
Thank you for visiting and following me during the Toast to 2012 Giveaway. I’m now following you. I'm new to your blog and I'm in awe.
Best regards,
Donna
Award-winning Children’s Author
The Golden Pathway Story book Blog
Author PR Services
Great challenge! I already have some fun ideas!
So good to have these challenges back!!!!
So the struggle that has been bothering me has to do with how other people view my actions. Will they think I am strange, one of THOSE people, etc... I do all of the things I do because I believe in them and I want to make a difference - which includes informing other people and getting them on board. At the same time, I am not the type of person to put myself out there and take criticism well.....
http://thegreeningofwestford.blogspot.com/2012/01/struggles-with-going-green.html
Posted our 'speed bumps' http://jenandjoeygogreen.blogspot.com/2012/01/speed-bumps.html
I am still waiting on our hydro bill for the month long challenge (we get billed every other month).
I look forward to continuing with these this year!
http://outwardlypleasant.blogspot.com/2012/01/change-world-wednesday-road-blocks.html
Oh I am so glad that you are back! I forgot it was this week though so I am running behind on my comment. I used to think that being green was so expensive and would be hard to do but it really isn't. In a lot of ways it is so much better and cost effective too. Like buying your fruits and veggies from local farms and farmers markets or growing your own. It is amazing the savings you will see during the Summer months and if you can and freeze some you will be enjoying the savings well into the Winter months.
Post a Comment