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July 10,2006

Another desperate attempt
Current mood: determined

Of course I just never stop trying to un-do the damage I have done to the environment. It isn't like I woke up one day and was like "I must destroy the environment" In fact I always was very conscious of the environment. Using little water and turning off lights and tv even when I left only for a few minutes.

It is the economy we have. Everything is throw away. That's what keeps our little world going. Of course it doesn't have to be that way. But currently we have to throw away individually packed snack wrappers, ziplock baggies, paper lunch bags, disposable cutlery and dishes, medicine bottles, water bottles, fast food packaging, and shopping bags. Gosh that list was way shorter than it needed to be. So I would like to ask everyone to consider choosing foods that have either less packaging or recyclable packaging. (They are often less expensive, so why not?) Or the next time you go to dunkin' donuts or whatever place for coffee bring your own travel mug. They do refills, so why not just avoid the waste! I think the easiest way to avoid waste is to bring bags with you to the grocery store (or other shopping). Every little thing you do will help. Keep track of the amount you avoid throwing away and tell me, because I always love to hear! I am going to post my research on how to save money (and the environment) at the gas pump, so visit back soon.

February 20, 2007

 When I hear about the environment from the media or people I talk with it always goes, “something, something… impending doom.” Although I have to agree that the path, we, as humans put the Earth on can only be bad, it’s not quite the time to give up and complain about our fate.

      In fact this is the greatest time to stop wasting time pointing fingers and complaining and start doing our part by making better choices, because our fate is not definite yet!!

      It took me a while to make better choices, I never drove a Hummer or anything, but that doesn’t mean I’m off the hook. In fact, I had the privilege of witnessing a woman complaining to her husband about how evil and selfish the Hummer owner was to have such a large, gas guzzler vehicle as they got into their SUV. So obviously the first step in being an environmentally conscious person is accepting that we are all part of the problem and the best people to be part of the solution.

      We can’t turn back time and change the choices that we made in the past. So let’s make a promise to ourselves that we aren’t going to feel guilty about past bad choices like idling, leaving the house light on during vacation, or those bad purchases because it’s not worth the time and energy.

      So instead of trying to be environmentally friendly, failing once and going back to the way it was or even worse take a lighter approach.

      Say to yourself, “Each chance I have to make an environmentally friendly choice I’ll take, but if I don’t I will try again the next time.” Of course we can’t always make the best choice, but it matters when we do. I included a list of my favorite and easiest choices to make.

• Unplug appliances when not in use, especially the washer, dryer, toaster, microwave, chargers, stereo and Television. Even when not turned on these (like anything plugged in) use 40% of the power they use when functioning. Think how much money that will save! Remember you can unplug one and not the other; just know that any good choices you make no matter how small they seem really add up.
• Turn off items when not being used or when you leave the room. When you’re not there it isn’t doing its job to make your life better but still taking money from your wallet.
• Instead of buying things I want, I spend the same amount of money on a masseuse and housekeeper. Every other week I get my place cleaned and the other I get a massage. It’s about $50 a week or $200/month (the same I spent on myself before) but I’m much happier! I used to use shopping to escape from life but since I don’t clean much and I get massages, both environmentally, guilt free alternatives, I have little to escape from.
• Change bulbs to “compact fluorescent” bulbs. A 17w gives off equal light to a 75w bulb. Since these bulbs last 5-10x longer, some stores try to charge upwards of $10, but can be found at the dollar store.
• The more weight you have in your car the more gas it uses. Don’t be surprised that removing even a few pounds saves gas!
• Change the oil, air and gas filters and check tire pressure. Together those changes will save a lot of gas, do I need to mention money?
• My favorite tip (and possibly least popular) is biking or walking. I go places I would go anyway like the library, but I count it as my work out time and enjoyed dropping my $50/month gym membership.

   Being an environmentalist is actually much better than not being one. I reclaimed myself from all the stuff, have extra spending money and am healthier. Mostly though, I have more money.

   Now you can be smug when people complain about “global warming” as you share your tips. It’s easy to come up with your own personalized “make your life better and save the environment ideas,” because there seems to be a connection between being robed of money and happiness and not being environmentally friendly. Since you’re on the “part of the solution” side spread the word, and save the world.