Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: DorisTLC Apr 21 2008, 10:02 AM

As we strive to be better stewards of our earth, I am reminded of an old Quaker proverb that goes like this...

There is a website called http://iamrevolting.org/livesimply/ that also uses this phrase as its motto.

You can measure your http://www.carbonfootprint.com/

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:

• I've built a house using recycled materials for the roof and carpet
• Riding my bike to the grocery store and to the gym in the morning
• Shopping at places likehttp://www.tenthousandvillages.com/home.php to help support those that are less fortunate

Posted by: innkeeper_tom Apr 22 2008, 12:40 AM

Rather easy things to do, and constantly observed in our family:

• make your way to work or school using public transport
• use regional products instead of products having a long way to travel (like flown-in veggies or the like)
• don't overheat your house/flat, keep temperature within reasonable limits
• use passive means (like shutters) to keep out cold and heat
• avoid leaving your ecceltricity operated appliances on stand-by

Posted by: Amontillada Apr 22 2008, 09:31 AM

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.

Posted by: 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.

Posted by: JohannMdlAmerica Apr 22 2008, 10:34 AM

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.

Posted by: 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.

Posted by: DorisTLC Apr 22 2008, 11:25 AM

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?

Posted by: theotherhermit Apr 22 2008, 11:32 AM

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.

Posted by: CryptMistress Apr 22 2008, 11:56 AM

-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.

Posted by: FreedomStar Apr 22 2008, 01:03 PM

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.

Posted by: JohannMdlAmerica Apr 22 2008, 01:30 PM

Year-round, I air-dry most of my shirts. I use the shower rod in my 2d bathroom. I have to plan, since it takes about a day for them to fully dry. Saves about $100 a year over the dryer at the laundromat.

Be careful of the grill cost! That propane bottle isn't always the lowest BTU solution by itself. That said, if you can divert cooking to outdoors, where you don't need to re-cool the air, you probably are gaining on the cost and use of energy.

Posted by: hedwig2323 Apr 22 2008, 01:31 PM

No, its just a regular old washing machine. My boyfriend just sets up a big trash barrel next to the machine, hooks the drainage hose over the side, then fills buckets out of the barrel and carries them up the basement stairs for me, then I take them out to water the plants. I guess it is a bit of work, but then my bf is a scientist and is very eco-conscious and he does most of the heavy lifting. We do this once or twice a week during summer, plus small amounts of dishwater from hand washing when we've got too few dishes to run the dishwasher. Seems to work well for our vegetable garden. And growing some of our own vegetables and canning things makes another small dent in our footprint. Plus our vegetables taste so much better than store bought.

Posted by: DorisTLC Apr 22 2008, 02:09 PM

I use a charcoal grill. (Love grilled veggies with that sweet tasted of mesquite)

Is using a propane grill considered "Greener" then using a charcoal grill?

ETA:

I can't dry my clothes outside during he summers, it's too humid here and they don't dry. I will normally hang things up in my laundry room, and I've found other then towels and sheets I just don't need to use my dryer more then a few times a week. With three teen boys, that is saying something!

Posted by: CryptMistress Apr 22 2008, 02:13 PM

A lovely man at World Market told us, that you can buy "Green" charcoal, not exactly what it's made out of, but it's recycled in some way. Also, he said that a propane grill, if used at the lowest BTU setting, admits less pollution, then if it were run at it's highest setting. Depending on your grill, of course. He also mentioned, that a few grill makers have started to come out with "Green" grills, eviromentally friendly gas or charcoal. I'll have to check into it a bit more, since we use our grill quite frequently...spring, summer, fall AND winter.

Posted by: Amontillada Apr 22 2008, 02:23 PM

I'm seeking information from anyone who has a clothesline: how much ($, materials, work) is needed to put up a clothesline outside? Our clothesline was stretched between trees, but one of the trees was dying and had to be cut down. We have a large, open back lot, and I want to put up a clothesline! Not only to reduce the amount of electricity we use for the dryer, but also because we love the scent and feel of air-dried sheets and towels!

Help me learn something environmentally healthy as well as enjoyable!

Posted by: DorisTLC Apr 22 2008, 02:44 PM

I use this wooden thing that unfolds. I just pull it out when I need it, and fold it up when I'm hanging out in the backyard. I can't find a picture of the one I have online, but it resembles http://www.stacksandstacks.com/html/104502_the-castello-dryer.htm

Posted by: JohannMdlAmerica Apr 22 2008, 03:04 PM

Dad made Mom a clothesline. He actually overbuilt it.

6 treated 4x4s, 8'long. He set 4 of them as uprights, 6' apart, and sank them 18 inches down. Used a couple of bags of ready-mix for strength and support.

Two bolts connected the crosspiece with each upright.

He drilled holes for eyebolts, and set them about 1 foot on center. The outermost ones were offset a little bit, so the eyebolts didn't go through the uprights.

Strung nylon parachute cord between them which he replaces about once a year.

The uprights are 20' apart, so there's plenty of room for all manner of stuff.

If he had $200 in todays money in it, I'd be amazed (he built this for her in 1982, when he was 60).

Like I said, Dad overbuilt it. It's still in use today.

Posted by: Pleione Apr 22 2008, 03:36 PM

Same here about the humidity outside being a problem, not that it matters. I hang dry my clothes year round in my laundry room. I can hang a load of wash in the evening before bed and the shirts will be dry the next morning. I save the dryer for sheets, towels and undies. Now if I could just find a way to lose the iron....

My husband will be intrigued about using the gray water from the washing machine. We've been in a severe drought here for ages, so he hasn't been able to recycle rain water for the yard like he wants to.

Posted by: Moose_Starr Apr 22 2008, 04:21 PM

I re-use water from pretty much everything. If it rains I collect the water. Otherwise from in the house, although I have a dishwasher (which according to some people actually uses less water than washing dishes by hand because the appliance uses a very small quantity of water) I do wash some things like fragile glasses by hand, so I always wash them in a basin & use the water for the yard. I keep a bucket by the sink so when I rinse a glass or cup I tip the water into the bucket. Even something like washing a fruit or vegetable I do over a basin, & even water that's been used for cooking vegetables,if I'm not going to use it for vegetable stock then I use it for the yard.
When I take a shower, the water takes a whiles to get hot so I run the water into a bucket & then either carry it out for the yard or use it for flushing the toilet (TMI lol?)

Posted by: caitiesus Apr 22 2008, 04:29 PM

Turning off the computer at night is such a big one. At sometime, it took more energy to turn it off then turn it back on, but now the sleep modes are not as efficient as they are supposed to be.

What I suggest (and do)

-Grow vegetables. My family has been growing our own tomatoes, peas, lettuce, and peppers for years now and not only does it use zero fuel to get them to our house, but they taste so much better!
-Wait until I have a full load to do laundry and wash everything cold
-If in a room in your house with windows and it is sunny, turn off the lights, usually it is bright enough
-If you have to use a car to get to work, carpool
-If you have errands to run, go somewhere that has a lot o stores in one area, part centrally and walk everywhere instead of getting in and out of your car all day.

Posted by: Mrs Norris Apr 22 2008, 04:50 PM

What I like both for myself and for the environment is kitty litter made from reclaimed wood and recycled newspaper. It is so much nicer than clumping litter which also contains carcinogens.
Meow.

Posted by: Hermione Granger Apr 22 2008, 05:26 PM

Here in the Wizarding world, I try to read books made out of 100% recycled paper. I just can't stand to know I'm reading something that has killed so many innocent trees, but I do get heckled by Ronald. Honestly, sometimes he just doesn't understand the importance of our rainforest's and ecosystems!

Posted by: Gingeroot Apr 22 2008, 06:13 PM

I live in a small apartment, and it seems that most ideas for lowering your carbon footprint are for people in houses. As much as I'd love to have a garden, compost, etc, its just not possible.

I do recycle nearly everything, use a filter system instead of buy bottled water, use energy efficient lightbulbs, and I use windows and fans instead of an airconditioner (darn thing never works, anyways).

does anyone have any good tips for apartment dwellers?

Posted by: Amontillada Apr 22 2008, 07:27 PM

When you have a few clothes that need washing, hand-wash them in the sink or a dishpan, instead of running a washing machine for so little. Hang them to dry on a drying rack like the examples on this page--http://www.stacksandstacks.com/shop/view-all.html?productId=75 (and thank DorisTLC for posting this link in response to my question about clotheslines )