Earth-Saving (and Money-Saving) Earth Day Tips
Happy Earth Day 2008!!!!
Through research, I have found that there are primarily two or three issues that take center-stage in every Earth-saving campaign: pollution and resource utilization. We are either using too much of a resource or we are polluting our environment. Typically, when dealing with earth day issues, there is a correlation between saving the earth and saving money, although the correlation is typically indirect.
Pollution
In reducing pollution, there are ways that we can also save money.
- Use CFL bulbs to reduce energy usage. This will reduce energy usage (electricity), which will reduce the amount of coal being burned to produce electricity, which will reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses in the air. This item addresses pollution and resource utilization. EnergyStar.gov indicates that “If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.” (source http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls)
- Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
- Use the microwave to cook small meals. (It uses less power than an oven.)
- Purchase “Green Power” for your home’s electricity. (Contact your power supplier to see where and if it is available.)
Resource Utilization
We can reduce the amount of the planet’s resources and the amount of money we spend at the same time.
- Take short showers instead of tub baths. This one is obvious, but there is a small pollution-reduction aspect to it. Using less water means we save that resource. It also means less water for the down-stream water treatment plants to treat, meaning less electricity that is used, which, well, see the item above…
- Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
- Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
- Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine.
- Buy high-efficient plumbing fixtures & appliances.
- Repair all leaks (a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons a day).
- Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best).
- Water plants differently according to what they need. Check with your local extension service or nurseries for advice.
This is a subject that could be discussed for days and days. What do you think? In what ways are you attempting to save the planet?
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© Copyright 2009, John A. Simpson. All Rights Reserved.
