Switching entirely to EPA-rated “Energy Star” Applicances (that are 10-50% more efficient on average) over the next fifteen years would alone save the nation $100 billion. -Mike Tidwell’s Amazon.com: The Ravaging Tide
Recycling Lithium, rechargeable batteries can be recycled once they no longer hold a charge. Example include batteries for camcorders, cordless power tools, laptop computers, cordless and cellular phones, and two way radios. For a complete list of rechargeable battery drop-off locations, visit www.call2recycle.org or call toll free 877-2-RECYCLE.
Food *Most food in the United States travels between 1500 and 2000 miles before being eaten -LeopoldCenter for Sustainable Agriculture, IowaStateUniversity * Behind each calorie of food in the typical American diet stands 7-10 calories of fossil fuel energy.-University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Systems * The food industry uses about a fifth of the oil consumed in the United States. - University of Michigan, Center for Sustainable Systems * The average American farmer receives about 20 cents of every dollar spent on food. But when consumers buy directly from the farm, the farmer gets the whole dollar. -John Ikerd, Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics, University of Missouri * In the United States, agricultural imports are rising twice as fast as exports. Over the past two decades, imports of fruits, vegetables and grains increased by more than 100 percent. Today, the typical American meal contains ingredients from at least 5 countries outside the United States -US Department of Agriculture * Here’s the breakdown of food’s fossil fuel consumption: 20% consumed on the farm 40% burned up in processing, packaging, and shipping 40% used to store and prepare the food - Chad Heeter, My Saudi Arabian Breakfast * It has been estimated that on average only 0.1% of chemicals used in farm production actually reach their intended targets.- Jane Goodall’s newest book, Harvest for Hope. * Non-local food is often less nutritious. For example, bagged spinach loses about half its folate and carotenoids after being stored in refrigeration for just 4 days.- Journal of Food Science * The Life Cycles Project of British Columbia has an online food miles calculator that figures greenhouse gas emissions for incoming food. www.lifecyclesproject.ca * Several states have programs that bring local food into school cafeterias. http://farmtoschool.org To read more about the above information about food, please see www.MotherEarthNews.com, August/September 2006 * The US Department of Argiculture publishes a guide to help bring together communities, schools, and farms. www.fns.usda.gov *To find food cooperatives, visit www.familyfarmed.org and localharvest.org/food-coops. For Amish dairy and meat, call Green Meadows 574-825-3843 . *No space to garden? North America has 18,000 community gardens, in which members work individual plots. Locate a garden near you through the American Community Gardening Association. www.communitygarden.org.
Green your Office - post eco-friendly everyday tips in a common area.
Examples include: - print duplex, on both sides of the paper - turn off computers at night - recycle paper and ink catridges - use reusable cups for drinking water, coffe,tea in the office. - If getting coffee from a retailer, ask for a discount if you bring your own cup. - order recyced napkins and tissues as office supplies. If every American purchased 1 package of 100% recycled napkins, we would save 1,000,000 trees. -ban styrofoam from the office. While recycling centers do exist for styrofoam, they are few and far between. - post a bulletin board in which people can organize carpools and share their eco-friendly tips from home - work with third party companies to offer tax incentive reimbursements for taking public transportation. One such company is TransIt, tel: 1-877-548-7788 at www.ceridian.com - recycle old computers. Check out www.chicagorecycling.org - encourage video-conferencing to decrease travel required Additional information and retail of green office products can be found at www.thegreenoffice.com
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Grass Clippings as Mulch-probably not http://plant_doctor.typepad.com/the_seasoned_gardener/2006/08/grass_clippings.html Here is a link to a fascinating website about ecofriendly landscaping, xeriscaping. http://www.eartheasy.com/grow_xeriscape.htm Rain Barrels Consider This - *A one-inch rainfall on a 1,000 sq. ft. roof yields 600 gallons of water! *Rain barrels are made from recycled 55-gallon food-safe containers. *Pour water from your barrel into a watering can or attach your hose to the spigot to water your garden. *Mosquito-proof, installation takes 10 minutes, and requires only seasonal maintenance. How It Works - ~Rain falls on your roof, collects in the gutter, and flows down your downspout. ~Rainwater will accumulate in your rain barrel. If your barrel is full, the rainwater from your roof simply bypasses the barrel and flows from your gutter as it would normally. The result: free water! ~When you’ve collected an adequate amount of water, simply turn the spigot on and water your flowers, trees, shrubs and lawn. AND you can wash your car, bicycle or pets. Use your rain barrel to rinse hands and feet, tools, or muddy shoes. Save the Earth, Save Money! Reduce water demand for irrigation, car washing, or other nonpotable uses. Save money on your water bills. Reduce stress on local water supplies. During times of municipal watering bans, you can continue to water your garden.Order yours today! Green Home Experts 823 S. Oak Park Oak Park, IL 60304 phone: (708) 937-5403 fax: (866) 556-9621 Composting Composting mimics and intensifies nature’s recycling plan. A compost pile starts out as a diverse pile of kitchen and garden “waste.” Left alone, any of these materials would eventually decompose. But when a variety of materials are mixed together and kept moist and aerated, the process accelerates. http://motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2006-10-01/Compost-Made-Easy.aspx Do you need instructions on how to start a simple compost pile or worm bin? http://motherearthnews.com/print-article.aspx?id=74502#SASCPOWB Check out this person’s advice on creating organic homemade fertilizer, http://motherearthnews.com/print-article.aspx?id=74502#SASCPOWB Climate Change The United States has only 4.5% of the world’s population, but is directly responsible for 25% of man-made greenhouse gases. - Mike Tidwell’s Amazon.com: The Ravaging Tide Learn more about the facts from the Oscar-winning documentary, An Inconvenient Truth www.climatecrisis.net For facts and more information on the causes and effects of climate change, go to www.climateaction.org For information on actions your local town can take to voluntarily reduce air emissions that produce smog and ozone, go to www.cleanaircounts.org
10 Things You Can Do to Fight Global Warming Recycle and buy minimally packed goods as much as possible. Wash clothes in cold or warm water, not hot. Install Low-flow shower heads to use less water. Run the dishwasher only when full and don't use heat to dry the dishes. Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Plug air leaks in windows and doors to increase energy efficiency. Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models. Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation whenever possible. Adjust your thermostat - Lower in winter, higher in summer Share these simple steps with friends and family and increase awareness!