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:
We have completed the second week of the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast. There were quite a variety of activities this week! Did you accomplish everything? Here's how the week went:
- Day 8 - Reduce the number of plastic bags you use
- Day 9 - Think about greening your "final arrangements"
- Day 10 - Host a party with friends and neighbors to watch and discuss a film on the environment
- Day 11 - Plant a tree
- Day 12 - Don't eat any meat
- Day 13 - Put on a sweater and turn down your thermostat
- Day 14 - Ask your electricity and gas suppliers if they have a green or renewable energy plan
The Honor Society are those people who help us spread the "green" word by writing an article about our challenges and/or leaving pertinent comments. Let's see what they had to say this week:
From Ann:
- Save the world: Toy Library: Serving the Community
- Purple Cake day: Kids helping Kids all over the World.
- Save the world: Partner with a less fortunate country.
- My dad was always planting trees in other people's land. We lived in the Government quaters provided for civil servants. Mum complained" Why are you planting when you can't enjoy the shade? Dad said, someone has to do it.
- Change the World Wednesday – Special II
- Change the World Wednesday – 29th Feb
- Change the World Wednesday – Special III
From Nicki Woo:
- I love that when I come to your blog, you automatically show me how to be a better person. How to learn and grow. Thanks for that! I'm off to read science daily. . .and the washington post. . .
From EcoGrrl:
- Great stuff! I only create about a bag of garbage a month and i re use old paper bags or dog food bags as trash bags.
- well toots, i made it through to dinner then spaced out when i ordered a shrimp flatbread appetizer and realized i'd missed it for today. so that with dim sum yesterday, i bombed. but very little meat actually enters my house - first of all, it's way more expensive, and second of all, i've never seen it as really vital to any meal. it's kind of like dessert - it's a bonus, not a requirement. it's a side, not a main course. and that way? you buy only the good, locally grown, humanely raised options.
- 64-66 has become my 'new high' unless guests are over (I'm a penguin to many, unfortunately), and my thermo in the winter goes down to 60. However, I turn off my furnace when I go to work and in the next month it'll go off until late fall, as that's a nice thing about a properly insulated home -- lowest my home's gotten is 59 which isn't bad. I wait to turn it on til I physically feel chilly and always keep a blanket on the sofa :)
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
- Love the comments on these challenges! I am the weirdo in the supermarket nearly throwing my bags at the bagger when he tries to put my groceries in plastic bags. I tried to use reusable produce bags but I end up tearing my hair out trying to convince the weighing guy that it IS ok to use them instead of the awful "greens killing" plastic bags they insist on everyone using.
- I am so lucky that I live where I do. Nearly all the grocery stores encourage shoppers to bring in reusable bags, which we do. There are even a few that have started charging for disposable bags in an effort to get more people on board. I have an awesome big bag for other shopping too. And a big purse for those times when the shopping trip was spontaneous. :) My issue is garbage bags. I love the brewery idea. When I can drive again, I am going to have to check into that! Lastly, I would like people to consider what kind of reusable bag they choose. Even though they can be used over and over, there are some bags that create problems in their production and aren't worth anyone's time or effort. My next goal (after eliminating garbage bags) would be to make my own out of scraps!
- I'm happy to say that I've been using fabric or reusable bags for the last 10 years. It took some time to get used it, but basically I just kept saying "I don't need a bag," when I was checking out, until it became second nature. At first cashiers looked at me as if I was nuts, now they ask me if I need a bag. Things have changed quite a bit! As for making it a habit, a great way to always have a bag is to keep one of those folding ones in my purse. My favorite one is from the Met museum store. It's so stylish that I really want to use it! It's very light and durable and most importantly washable and dries quickly. With the whole fabric bag movement also comes the responsibility of sanitizing them regularly, especially the ones you use for food. I saw a horror story in the news about all the very nasty germs that can accumulate on your bags and purse. Wiping them down with sanitizer is good, but also a good thorough soaking in castile soap with some germ busting essential oils is great too. (lemon, thyme, eucaluptus, etc.) I'm looking forward to all your bag suggestions and strategies!
- We take reusable bags with us wherever we go. We keep them in the vehicle and also have some that fold up to a compact package than can easily fit in a pocket or purse. That way, we're always prepared.
- This is one of the easiest problems to solve, and somehow, I always seem to forget my reusable bags! SO ANNOYING! But I am up he challenge, I just packed two reusable bags in my purse. BUT, I must give myself credit because it the morning, when I get my breakfast, they always offer me a plastic bag for my fruit and I ALWAYS refuse. How's that!?? :)
- terrific conversation. i live in southern california and people complain about tap water. they are crazy! it's all in our minds. i lived in chicago where we had the sweetest fresh water from lake michigan. tap water is the way to go, if you can. i understand some transnationals like coca-cola own water rights in central america and so people don't have access to water, only coke. this has to change. bringing these voices together seems like a good way to go. thanks!
- :) good topic! I tweeted about this yesterday. I have a friend who is a funeral director and very involved in the Green Burial Portland movement.
- Here is a link to a good article to help your readers think about this topic:
http://livinggreenmag.com/2012/01/24/lifestyle-choices/meeting-the-green-reaper-natural-burial-favored-by-seniors-gives-families-an-intimate-experience/
From Elizabeth Fournier:
- And I am that friend (from The Monkey Dragon's comment) who is a funeral director and very involved in the Green Burial Portland movement. I love your daily challenge -- fantastic! Here are some steps in the right direction:
SIX WAYS TO HAVE A GREEN BURIAL
1. Choose a locally sourced, all-wood casket without metal hardware, finished in natural oil and with a natural, biodegradable interior and bedding. A biodegradable shroud inside a cardboard coffin is an alternative.
2. Ask for non-toxic, organic embalming fluid, or insist on none at all (this may limit the viewing period because embalming slows decomposition).
3. Donate your organs.
4. Insist on no concrete vault or grave liner. Ask about using an indigenous rock or planting a shrub as a marker.
5. For cremation, ask that your dental fillings be removed to prevent mercury from entering the atmosphere.
6. Request a donation to a land conservation organization instead of flowers.
Again, great post.
- One of the biggest hurdles to this - forgetting them! Hope this helps people remember: My Reusable Bags Are In My Car... Again!
- Thanks for letting us know about Mass ReLeaf. I live in Massachusetts but never heard of them. Our elementary school is planning to plant 12 trees this spring (with a grant from the organization I run). There is information on the project in this article: Upcycle It! Raises $5000 for Westford Schools
From Ilhami Uyar:
- each one tree consume 6 kg dust during one year,with my best wishes
From CelloMom:
- It was E.F. Schumacher, author of "Small Is Beautiful", who considers the planting of a tree to be a geo-political act. I agree with him. Besides, it seems the only sensible way to carbon sequestration on the long term. My own record: Two years ago, a row of 8 willows at the end of the yard, to soak up rain water. An additional row of 7 at my children's school, in the catchment area. Next, I'm looking for public places to leave some shoots. Ann, wonder how your dad chooses his spots?
- I love using reusable bags and have for about four years now. I love making my own from old tee shirts and burlap coffee bags. The tutorial I did on how to make these has been some of my most popular. They are so sturdy and oh so Eco Friendly.
- Whoa 55 is cold. Make sure everyone thinks about freezing pipes when setting their temperatures.
From @pinkladyapril
-always use reusable bags. Hubby got great cotton bags from work. UK supermarkets offer loyalty points for reusing bags
From @earthyurban
-Good morning folks it's another #CTWW follow the gang and if you're not doing it everyday make an effort today of change for the better.
From @gwened02
-I've been working on this since I found a cupboard full of them! I now carry bags for life in my handbag.
-will us then until they break and replace with fabric ones
-Defrosted the freezer and washing is going outside to dry
-on a green tariff with edf they commit to getting energy from renewable sources. There are green companies but too expensive
From @givetreegifts
-We don't leave home without reusable bags. We keep them in the vehicle & also have some that fold down to fit in a pocket or purse.
-Zippered laundry bags designed for washing delicates work well as reusable produce bags. They are washable & only cost about 50 cents
-Timing couldn't be better! For supper, we're having Quinoa cakes. They're yummy, healthy & filling!
From @skipbang
-Don't forget to take reusable bags to the store with you! This week's challenge - Change The World Wednesday
From @tiffanystoybox
-I am taking the NO plastic bag challenge!
From @carmencitavnb
-CTWW Saving Energy Begins at Home: on.wsj.com/ryH2mm
From @Kelsgarden
-Meeting the Green Reaper: Natural Burial Favored by Seniors, Gives Families an Intimate Experience: http://livinggreenmag.com/2012/01/24/lifestyle-choices/meeting-the-green-reaper-natural-burial-favored-by-seniors-gives-families-an-intimate-experience/
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:
Today's Challenge:
Are you ready for Week 3 of daily challenges? Let's go ...
Your hot water heater represents about 20-30% of the carbon emissions of your home, the biggest user of energy in your house. Consider setting your hot water thermostat to 120°F. Insulate your hot water tank with an insulation jacket if available for your system. Arrange for your boiler to be serviced so it runs more efficiently. When you next replace your boiler, consider a condensing boiler - they use less fuel than conventional boilers to produce the same amount of heat and can save 32% on fuel bills.
Until tomorrow ...
WE'RE CHANGING THE WORLD ... ONE CHALLENGE AT A TIME!
This is a great tip! We love doing this because you can really see the savings. A few years back we actually would turn off our hot water heater every night and then turn it back on in the mornings. It only takes about forty five minutes for the water to heat back up. We saw a lot of savings doing this. Just think how many hours that was that the water wasn't having to be continually heated.It was working out good until we forgot to turn it back on a few mornings in a row! This has gotten me thinking about using a timer to turn it on and off. I think I will have my husband check into this.
ReplyDeleteMy handyman can't tell the temperature on my water heater but I don't really worry - at $40-50/mo, my electric utility bill (which includes water heater) is teensy.
ReplyDeleteFYI - if your water heater is in an insulated location, you don't need to add extra insulation - this came straight from my energy auditor.
We have a tankless water heater which is awesome. It saves us on having to heat water over and over again in a tank and gives us pretty much on demand hot water.
ReplyDeleteWe already have an energy-efficient water heater. The water company provides it free, and will replace it if necessary, in exchange for being able to shut it off during peak demand hours as part of their power-saving program.
ReplyDelete