Dear Plain Texters, Sorry for the appearance of the previous posting. Without HTML being on, the previous message was hopelessly garbled. Here is an attempt to clean it up visually in plain text.
Earth Day Message If your outlook on life has matured to the point where a degree of "sacrifice" and "moderation" are replacing the "super-size-it" mentality of rampant consumerism- which is the outlook fostered on all of us, shamelessly by the media- then here are simple ways to reduce the *footprints* which you leave on the planet. You can also amplify your impact and commitment by encouraging others to follow your lead in implementing the following tips. Reduce your Carbon Footprint: Use cleaner transport 1) Walk, bike, or take public transit whenever possible. 2) Avoid allowing your car to idle, except in traffic. If youll be waiting for more than 30 seconds, (at a school pick-up say) then turn-off the engine. And dont take the drive-through park the car and walk inside instead. The exercise doesn't hurt. 3) Have your vehicle serviced regularly to keep the emission control systems operating at peak efficiency. Check your car's air filter monthly, and keep the tires adequately inflated to maximize gas mileage. 4) Avoid short airplane trips take a bus or train; or learn to use online conferencing instead. Add energy-saving features to your home. 1) Install compact fluorescent bulbs in all your home light fixtures. 2) Weatherproof your home. Make sure your walls and ceilings are insulated, and consider double-pane windows. Eliminate drafts with caulking, weather strips, and storm windows and doors. Insulate your water heater or switch to a tankless water heater. 3) Choose energy efficient appliances. Adopt energy-saving habits Keep thermostat relatively low in winter and ease up on the air conditioning in summer. Clean or replace dirty air conditioner filters as recommended to keep the A/C operating at peak efficiency. Unplug your electronics when not in use. To make it easier, use a power strip. Even when turned off, items like your television, computer, and cellphone charger still sip power. Dry your clothes outside whenever possible. Make minimal use of power equipment when landscaping. Defrost your refrigerator and freezer regularly. 4) Choose green electricity. Many utilities give you the option to purchase electricity generated by wind and solar power for a small rate surcharge. Purchase carbon offsets to make up for the energy use you cant eliminate. Reduce your Food Footprint 1) Eat more local, organic, in-season foods. 2) Plant a gardenit doesnt get more local than that. 3) Shop at your local farmers market or natural foods store. Look for local, in-season foods that havent traveled long distances to reach you. Choose foods with less packaging to reduce waste. 4) Eat lower on the food chaingoing meatless for just one meal a week (or day preferably) can make a difference. Globally, it has been estimated that 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions are associated with meat consumption. Reduce your Housing Footprint 1) Choose sustainable building materials, furnishings, and cleaning products. 2) Explore green design features for your building,like passive solar heating, a rainwater catchment or grey water recycling system, and recycled materials. 3) Choose efficient appliances, including low flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets.Choose furnishings that are second-hand, recycled, or sustainably produced. 4) Plant drought tolerant plants in your garden and yard. 5) Use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products. 6) Adopt water-saving habits: Take shorter, less frequent showers this not only saves water, but the energy necessary to heat it. Dont use the garbage disposal- Compost instead. Run the dishwasher and the laundry machine only when full. Wash cars rarely, or better yet, take them to a carwash. Commercial carwashes use less water per wash than home washers, and they are also required to drain used water into the sewage system, rather than storm drains, which protects aquatic life. Regularly look for and fix leaks. Reduce your Goods and Services Footprint 1) Buy less! Replace items only when you really need to. Recycle all your paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic. 2) Compost food waste for the garden. Garbage that is not contaminated with degradable (biological) waste can be more easily recycled and sorted, and doesn't produce methane gases (a significant greenhouse gas contributor) when stored in a landfill. Buy recycled products, particularly those labeled "post-consumer waste." Even if you only put to practice a few of these tips, every little effort helps (especially when multiplied by 6 billion :-) These tips courtesy of Arlene Rodriguez Program Officer fo the Environment The San Francisco Foundation
