Bellevue Leader: Saving Mother Earth
Filed under: Earth 911 - April 19, 2007
By: Christine Hollister , Leader Staff Writer
Bellevue Leader
04/19/2007
Since 20 million people celebrated the first Earth Day in 1970, numerous changes have taken place in our country and abroad to help protect the environment. Now, the notion of “green living” has become more than trendy.
It’s nearly a necessity in today’s world.
Celebrate Earth Day April 22 by considering how what you do each day affects the environment and by thinking about what small changes you can make in your own life to make a difference on a global scale. It really is easier than you might think.
Here are a few simple tips:
1. Recycling: It’s not just for soda cans anymore.
Sure, you knew it was possible to recycle your aluminum cans, glass, newspaper and cardboard. That’s a great start. But did you know you can also recycle the old computer and that broken washing machine in your basement? Enter your ZIP code at www.earth911.org for recycling resources in your community.
2. Junk mail, be gone!
Junk mail is more than simply annoying - it also uses valuable natural resources like trees, water and energy. By eliminating junk mail, not only will it save trees and help the environment, but it will keep your mailbox from overflowing with those constant credit card offers, catalogs and coupons you don’t use. Register on the National Do Not Mail list at www.directmail.com - a quick, free way to reduce junk mail, and call 1-888-5-OPTOUT to rid yourself of those pesky credit card offers.
3. Sign up for OPPD’s Green Power Program.
OPPD has made some great strides since entering the renewable energy market in 2003. The power produced from green energy sources, including a wind turbine generator, is now available for purchase by OPPD customer-owners.
Residential customers can participate at one of four levels in the Green Power Program, ranging from an additional cost of $4.50 per month to $30 per month for a minimum of one year. Go to www.oppd.com or call 536-4131 for more info.
4. BYOB: Bring Your Own Bag. Shopping bags create an insane
amount of waste for something that’s often in our lives for fewer than 5 minutes. Remember: The next time you grocery shop, BYOB. In the United States, about 12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees go to producing plastic and paper bags each year. Bringing your own bag saves oil and trees and some stores even offer a discount if you bring your own.
5. Your car, your environment
It’s Nebraska. Public transportation is very limited. And as much as you would like to, you may not be able to invest in that new hybrid car or bike to work. But there are still several easy things you can do to help the environment. Fill your car up with ethanol, keep your tires inflated and don’t wash your car at home. In addition, aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas and in turn, hurts the environment. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.
6. A line on laundry
Line dry your clothes in the spring and summer. Not only will they have that fresh spring scent, you’ll be saving money and energy. Another note on laundry: Use cold water whenever possible. If you wash two loads in warm or cold water instead of hot each week, you could save up to 500 pounds of carbon dioxide every year.
7. Get a water filter
Bottled water is a waste of money and harms the nvironment. Nearly 90 billion liters of water are bottled each year, using 1.5 million tons of plastic. Bottles of water have been a huge contributor to landfills in recent years, and petroleum-based bottles take more than 700 years to decompose. Visit your local grocery store and pick up a water filter and chug your aqua out of a reusable bottle.
8. Replace your light bulbs
When a regular light bulb goes out in your home, replace it with a low-energy light bulb. They are initially more expensive than regular bulbs, but they use 60 percent less energy and last a whole lot longer than the Thomas Edison variety. According to several sources, replacing one regular light bulb with an approved compact florescent light bulb would save consumers $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
9. Unplug electronic devices when not in use
In the average home, 75 percent of the electricity used to power electronics is consumed when they’re turned off but plugged in. By unplugging your electronics (like your stereo and DVD player) when you’re not using them, you can help the environment and save a little cash on your electric bill at the same time.
10. Plant a tree - or a garden
It’s a fact that plants reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. You can do your part by planting a tree, caring for a houseplant or two or planting a garden. Also along these lines, by making the choice to purchase more locally grown and organic foods, you can eat healthier and help the environment at the same time.
11. Live large!
Buy products in the largest size you can use and avoid excessive packaging.
A family of four can save $2,000 a year by choosing large sizes instead of individual serving sizes. The common rule is that 10 cents of every shopping dollar is used to pay for packaging. Some examples: Buy cereal in a large box instead of in individual serving sizes and buy juice in concentrates and use reusable containers instead of single serving packages.
12. Buy reusable and long-lasting items
Use rechargeable batteries, cloth diapers, a real (not disposable) camera, cloth napkins and towels, washable plates and cups and a washable commuter mug for your morning coffee instead of plastic or Styrofoam.
2 Responses to “Bellevue Leader: Saving Mother Earth”
I was searching for “energy saving” related blogs and found your wonderful creation.
Especially like your list of earth friendly ideas.
Birney Summers
Energy Boomer
bksummers@att.net
http://energybommer.typepad.com
i m doing an essay….this page got alot info…thx