Your Carbon Footprint, and how to make it smaller |
 Apr 21 2008, 10:02 AM
Post
#1
|
|
Waiting for Wednesdays  Posts: 9,150 Joined: 7:57am January 28, 2005 Location: Hiding from Hurricanes    |
As we strive to be better stewards of our earth, I am reminded of an old Quaker proverb that goes like this...
QUOTE Live simply, so others can simply live. There is a website called Iamrevolting.com that also uses this phrase as its motto. You can measure your carbon footprint here. What things are you doing or plan to do to help reduce your carbon footprint? Some of my plans to reduce the carbon footprints of myself and my family are:
-------------------- |
 |
 
 
|
|
Apr 22 2008, 12:40 AM
Post
#2
|
|
Leaky's SIR Seriously Senior Mad Scientist  Posts: 3,273 Joined: 10:31am January 28, 2007 Location: Behind a bubbling cauldron |
Rather easy things to do, and constantly observed in our family:
This post has been edited by innkeeper_tom: Apr 22 2008, 09:09 AM
Reason for edit: clarification
-------------------- ***OPAST (and proud of it) *** |
|
|
|
|
Apr 22 2008, 09:31 AM
Post
#3
|
|
Stocking Snitches at Quality Quidditch Supplies  Posts: 692 Joined: 6:51pm November 1, 2005 Location: The Rare Books section in the Hogwarts library |
A couple of suggestions related to crafts (perhaps they should be in that thread):
-------------------- Avatar by tonksgirl |
|
|
|
|
Apr 22 2008, 10:10 AM
Post
#4
|
|
Perusing the Magical Menagerie  Posts: 92 Joined: 2:11pm April 8, 2008 Location: In front of my computer |
These are some of the the things that I already do:
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. |
|
|
|
|
Apr 22 2008, 10:34 AM
Post
#5
|
|
Claw-Clipping Kneazles at the Magical Menegerie Posts: 2,434 Joined: 9:26am July 24, 2007 Location: I'm either in the Muggle Underground Forum or at the Hogwarts Express Roundhouse |
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 -------------------- The last enemy to be destroyed is death-- First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verse 26 The epitaph of James and Lily Potter |
|
|
|
|
Apr 22 2008, 10:46 AM
Post
#6
|
|
Doctor Filibuster's Junior Assistant Posts: 1,978 Joined: 3:07pm August 9, 2005 |
One thing we do in addition to many of the things suggested on this list is use gray water for our garden and lawn. We use both dish water at times and also will hook the washing machine hose over a trash barrel and then take the water outside in buckets.
ETA: Also I haven't bought any bottled water in a couple of years. I use a Brita filter and keep a reusable container with me. This post has been edited by hedwig2323: Apr 22 2008, 10:56 AM -------------------- "Bite me." -- Melissa Anelli (lol)
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 22 2008, 11:25 AM
Post
#7
|
|
|
Waiting for Wednesdays Posts: 9,150 Joined: 7:57am January 28, 2005 Location: Hiding from Hurricanes |
QUOTE(hedwig2323 @ Apr 22 2008, 10:46 AM)  One thing we do in addition to many of the things suggested on this list is use gray water for our garden and lawn. We use both dish water at times and also will hook the washing machine hose over a trash barrel and then take the water outside in buckets. ETA: Also I haven't bought any bottled water in a couple of years. I use a Brita filter and keep a reusable container with me. Giving up bottled water, an using a refillable bottle saves money at the grocery too! I've read a lot about gray water, but finding a way to "do" this is hard. If you use Gray water, did you purchase appliances that just naturally funnel the water elsewhere? -------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Apr 22 2008, 11:32 AM
Post
#8
|
|
Freelance Daily Prophet Reporter Posts: 1,509 Joined: 8:30am May 25, 2005 |
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. |
|
|
|
|
Apr 22 2008, 11:56 AM
Post
#9
|
|
Slug and Jiggers' Apothecary Apprentice Posts: 1,406 Joined: 2:22pm October 29, 2006 Location: With Lucius playing hide and seek...O.O |
QUOTE(mushaboom @ Apr 22 2008, 10:10 AM) These are some of the the things that I already do:
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.  -------------------- LOYAL LUCIUS MALFOY ADVOCATE    |
|
|
|
|
Apr 22 2008, 01:03 PM
Post
#10
|
|
Coach of the Hogwarts Equestrian Team  Posts: 2,073 Joined: 7:02pm January 28, 2005 Location: boiling snape in a cauldron of shampoo |
Two things that I can think of off the top of my head:
1. Use recycled or post-consumer printer paper. It's still white, and it's still good. 2. Turn your computer off at night. |
|
|
|
