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LIGHT RIGHT
Invest in Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLS). CFLS are so efficient they produce 60% less heat than incandescent bulbs, while saving you an average $180 per year in energy costs. |
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Did you know that you have the power to decrease production of carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases by thousands of pounds this summer?
Who cares, right?!
If you're like most Americans, you don't give a (insert expletive here). Astronomical gas prices, the mortgage meltdown and staying cool through record temperatures are of a higher concern.
But here's a jolt of motivation this recession-riddled summer: SAVING MONEY. Yes, the numbers are in and it turns out you can save cash--a lot of it--by adopting just a few eco-habits. From turning off the lights to using a fan to keeping the AC fine-tuned and humming, there are plenty of no-brainer ways to eco-nomize through the summer months.
What's more, you also stand to help the planet. And even though you don't really care doesn't it feel good to pretend you do?
Summer Recession Tips: Save Money, Stay Cool, Save the Planet
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LIGHT RIGHT
Invest in Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLS). CFLS are so efficient they produce 60% less heat than incandescent bulbs, while saving you an average $180 per year in energy costs. |
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Follow Olivia Zaleski on Twitter: www.twitter.com/oliviazaleski
I've always used a clothesline. Love the texture of the sun-dried clothes.
I turn the window air conditioner on high about 45 minutes before I go to bed, turn it off and turn on a big fan. Works great!
Use your towels 3 times.
No spray cans of pest control. Detergent added to water in a spray bottle works fine. Vinegar or salt kills weeds. No chemicals from those horrid big corporations.
Don't buy anything but local, in produce, if possible.
I dont use my truck AC. Burns alot less gas. I live in Central Texas, but I fall upon the sword of heat to save gas.
Cook a large meal and freeze. Saves heating up the kitchen and works great when I'm tired.
Mulch.
Water late at night.
Compost all of your veggies. No need to buy big corporation's nasty fertilizers.
Take your personal shopping bag to the grocery store.
Use the library.....
I live 30 miles from Austin, Tx and I wait until I have several errands before I drive in.
I work at a lesser paying job to avoid commute
I'm tired now. Going to lie down, in front of fan, and read my library book. :-)
All great things that you do. Impressive! Thanks for your comment.
Olivia Zaleski
Here are some green ideas to keep the green in your wallet and on the planet.
Have a party at home instead of going out to dinner. Do it pot-luck style, where everyone brings their fave dish. Have the party by candlelight (then you won't have to clean your house until spotless - candlelight disguises many things). Play some party games and chill out in the great outdoors if you can. It costs less, and the carbon footprint is significantly smaller than it would be if you went to a restaurant.
If you live in a home with a basement and forced-air heating/central air-conditioning, open all your vents and turn on the circulating fan on your furnace. It will bring the cool air up from the basement and reduce your cooling costs.
Water your lawn only in the morning. Doing so later in the day is a waste of money and water, because the water evaporates faster, and the heat of the day makes the lawn more prone to disease/bacteria/fungi, etc.
Let your lawn grow to at least three inches in height. It will require less water, and the grass will choke out weed growth, reducing your lawn care requirements (less gas for the mower, less money spent on lawn care products).
Your suggestions are great. Will definitely keep in mind the next time I write about ways to "keep the green in your wallet and on the planet." Thanks!
Olivia Zaleski
Thanks for the tips column. Please consider doing a series of columns on the ethanol issue. I have read various sources that suggest that it would be a bad idea to rely on ethanol for our long term development. I am especially appalled at what scientists believe will be the environmental costs including loss of biodiversity and habitat. It seems as though Barack is in bed with the ethanol industry and we progressives must be critical of our own party when it goes against our common interests. A lot of folks here are not well versed in this issue, given that there is a lot of conflicting data and studies out there. So, we could all use some good ethanol education please!
Thanks
as always thanks for your frequent comments. They are always insightful. I will definitely look further into Ethanol and the issues you mention above. Would you mind sending me the links to the articles you are referring to. Would like to read them. Best to just leave them in a comment below so that others may read them as well.
Many thanks!
Olivia Zaleski
-Ajita
The most important thing you can do is lobby for GOOD policy which includes incentives and financing for local point of use renewable power systems. Conservation will flow naturally from a decent power buy-back contract, because you will see actual dollars in your pocket, not just a smaller electricity bill. If we allow Big Energy to re-entrench their monopolies by obliteration millions of acres of wilderness for faraway power plants (even if they are sun/wind), rates will shoot through the sky (we pay for those plants, not them), and we will have missed this opportunity. rates are going up and all current policy is gamed to keep Big Energy hijacking us and preventing us from doing the right thing. If Big Oil hasn't convinced you that energy monopolies can ruin your life, then you need to rethink.
Contact your state legislators and tell them you want mandatory, long-term feed-in tariffs for renewable energy you generate.
There is a new generation of light bulb being developed. Based on LED technology, they last 10 time longer and use about 1/10th the energy of a CFL. Home Depot sells a night light LED with a candelabra base that works very well in our hallway wall sconces. Other lamps are available in their lighting department but they use a transformer that should be unplugged to stop the constant electrical draw when the light is not in use.
http://www.energy.ca.gov/electricity/us_percapita_electricity_2003.html
and we will put your Recession Proof Earth Saving Tips on the refridgerator, which at our house has a saying associated with its use, " t's not a museum, close the door fast after a quick dip."
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/fire/co2/co2report.html
If you'd like to prove us wrong, I'd suggest filming yourself breathing 10% CO2 for a while and showing us how harmless it is.
Also, RE plants, I guess its a well known fact that plants didn't evolve until after the industrial revolution, since naturally produced CO2 is obviously not enough to support plant life right?