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Your Carbon Footprint, and how to make it smaller |
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 Apr 22 2008, 09:31 AM
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Junior Dishwasher at The Leaky Cauldron
Posts: 610
Joined: 6:51pm November 1, 2005
Location: The Rare Books section in the Hogwarts library
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A couple of suggestions related to crafts (perhaps they should be in that thread):
- Follow Molly Weasley's idea and knit sweaters, slippers, or throws to warm yourself and family members, so that you don't have to set the thermostat so high in winter.
- Use more natural fibers (such as wool, cotton, or newer yarns like soy, bamboo, or corn) and fewer synthetics like acrylic, based on petroleum.
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Apr 22 2008, 10:10 AM
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Perusing the Magical Menagerie
Posts: 92
Joined: 2:11pm April 8, 2008
Location: In front of my computer
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These are some of the the things that I already do:
- use public transportation 100%
- turn off lights when I'm not using them
- bring my own bags when grocery shopping - if I forget/don't have enough, I reuse the plastic bags
- wash all laundry in cold water
- use toilet paper made from recycles materials
I would like to buy my food locally grown, but I don't have a car and no other means of getting to and from farmers markets. I also can't afford to consistently buy organic/local foods, though I do when I can.
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Apr 22 2008, 10:34 AM
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The Talking Mirror in Room 7
Posts: 1,754
Joined: 9:26am July 24, 2007
Location: Look for me in the Muggle Underground Forum
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OK, I'm a US national, but I know Leaky is international in nature.
1) Talk with your elected representatives, wherever you are. Encouraging active solar and active geothermal to generate heat and electricity, along with industrial waste heat co-generation, as governmental policy goes a long way to reducing need for carbon energy.
2) Have the power and gas companies give you an energy audit. Many will either for free or at a nominal price. Then, retrofit to reduce the leakage. Insulate and replace older doors and windows as needed.
3) The next time you re-roof, look at reflective colors (closer to white) instead of absorbing colors (closer to black).
4) Trees! Plant trees on your Northern and Western exposures, help keep the afternoon summer sun off your house.
5) Finally, look at where you live relative to where you work. The shorter your commute, the less fuel you use.
6) Relook your home. It seems to me most "starter homes" these days are 2,000 sq ft and two car garage, and most "1st move-up" homes are 3,500 sq ft and 3 car garage. Do we really need that much space?
7) If you're planning to build your home soon... look at alternate materials to wood framing, including masonry and steel.
8) Use a set-back thermostat!!! Last winter, my overnight temp was 60F (down comforters are wonderful), my "nobodie's home" temp was 60F, and my "we're home" was 67F.
This post has been edited by JohannMdlAmerica: Apr 22 2008, 01:25 PM
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The last enemy to be destroyed is death--
First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verse 26
The epitaph of James and Lily Potter |
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Apr 22 2008, 11:32 AM
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Slug and Jiggers' Apothecary Apprentice
Posts: 1,414
Joined: 8:30am May 25, 2005
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Thanks for the "Iamrevolting" link, Doris. The site and the links it provides are very interesting.
My spouse and I sold our car some years ago. We did it out of financial necessity, not concern for the environment, and we expected to hate being without a car. Now, however, we don't miss our car at all, and don't want to buy another. We walk or bike to work, and use public transportation for longer trips. For the one or two occasions each year when only a car will work, we rent one. That's a bit expensive, but it's still cheaper in the long run than maintaining our own car. Not owning a car lessens our impact on the environment, and has some nice side effects as well. We get more exercise, and we can enjoy the world around us as we go to work and do our errands. We don't have to spend time getting the oil changed or the tires rotated, and we needn't worry about the price of gasoline. Going car-less isn't a workable plan for everyone, I know. Some jobs, and some responsibilities, require a car. Still, if anyone is considering doing without a car and fearing to take the plunge, I can assure you that we've never regretted it.
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Apr 22 2008, 11:56 AM
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Gambol and Japes' Research Department
Posts: 1,385
Joined: 2:22pm October 29, 2006
Location: ACCIO JASON ISAACS! Well bugger...<.<
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QUOTE(mushaboom @ Apr 22 2008, 10:10 AM)  These are some of the the things that I already do: - use public transportation 100%
- turn off lights when I'm not using them
- bring my own bags when grocery shopping - if I forget/don't have enough, I reuse the plastic bags
- wash all laundry in cold water
- use toilet paper made from recycles materials
I would like to buy my food locally grown, but I don't have a car and no other means of getting to and from farmers markets. I also can't afford to consistently buy organic/local foods, though I do when I can.
-shop at a local Farmer's Organic Market
-recycle everything you can
-use only those things that have been recycled
-if you have to cut down a tree, plant another in it's place
-compost
-switch to the new energy efficient lightbulbs
-during the spring/summer...instead of using the dryer, hang your clothing outside.
-use a grill instead of the stove/oven...saves quite a bit of gas/electric.
Some Farmer's Organic Markets deal directly online...see if any are in your area, and check to see if they can ship the products to you. 
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