re replacing the "super-size-it" mentality of consumerism- the outlook fostered on all of us shamelessly by the media
For me, it was more of mentality of getting the most for my money. On Sat, Apr 19, 2008 at 8:17 AM, Jones Beene <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 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 > consumerism- 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 byencouraging others > to follow your lead. > > Reduce your Carbon Footprint Use > cleaner transport Walk, bike, or take public transit whenever > possible.Avoid allowing your car to idle. If you'll > be waiting for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine (except in > traffic). And don't take the drive-through—park the car and > walk inside instead.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.Avoid short airplane trips—take a bus or > train instead. Add > energy-saving features to your home Install compact fluorescent bulbs in all > your > home light fixtures—but remember, compact fluorescents contain > mercury, so look for low-mercury models and be sure to dispose of old > bulbs safely through your local hazardous waste program.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. Even better, switch to a tankless water heater, so your > water will be heated only for need > 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.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 can't eliminate.Reduce your Food Footprint Eat more local, > organic, in-season foods. Plant a garden—it doesn't get > more local than that.Shop at your local farmer's market or > natural foods store. Look for local, in-season foods that haven't > traveled > long distances to reach you.Choose foods with less packaging to reduce > waste.Eat lower on the food chain—going meatless for just one meal a week > 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 Choose > sustainable building materials, furnishings, and cleaning products. Explore > green design features for your building, like passive solar heating, a > rainwater catchment or grey water recycling > system, and recycled materials.Choose efficient appliances, including > low flow > shower heads, faucets, and toilets.Choose furnishings that are > second-hand, > recycled, or sustainably produced.Plant drought tolerant plants in your > garden and > yard.Use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products.Adopt water-saving > habits Take shorter, less frequent showers—this > not only saves water, but the energy necessary to heat it. Don't 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.Avoid hosing down or > power-washing your deck, > walkways, or driveway.Regularly look for and fix leaks.Reduce your Goods > and Services Footprint Buy less! Replace items only when you > really need to. Recycle all your paper, glass, aluminum, > and plastic. Don't forget electronics!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." > > courtesy of Arlene Rodriguez > Program Officer, Environment > The San > Francisco Foundation > > > > -- That which yields isn't always weak.
