March 24 - April 5 Getting From Here to There

Transportation seems to often be one of the biggest culprits in creating global warming. We want to be able to move freely about our cities and country, automobiles are maybe the biggest symbol of that freedom. But this comes with a price. As Americans we are wasteful with the fossil fuels we use – and this translates into wasteful spending and wasting time.

There are ways to turn this around. To improve quality of life – and maybe even take time to smell the roses.

Here are things that Gershon suggests in his book.

1 – Walk or Bike to where you need to go
2 – Use Public Transit
3 – Combine your trip
4 – Carpool
5 – Negotiate alternate work schedules/telecommute
6 – develop fuel-efficient driving habits (SLOW DOWN)
7 – Find and plug oil leaks
8 – keep you car well maintained
9 – buy a fuel-efficient vehicle
10 – re-consider vacations
11 – take a hike in the woods

March 22 - 28 Energy Efficiency

Would you believe that there are ways that we can use energy efficiency to get MORE comfort and MORE benefit from our energy use while using considerably less energy. How is that possible??? Americans waste as much as 75% of the energy we use through inefficiency and lack of awareness? By making small changes we CAN be better stewards of energy resources.

Here are some things you can do to help out. (As suggested in the Green Living Handbook)

1 – turn off the lights when you leave the room
2 – unplug appliances that you are not using (like the toaster and coffee maker and TV)
3 – turn off your computer when you are not using it for 2 or more hours
4 – install energy efficient light bulbs
5 – keep wearing your clothes until they are ACTUALLY dirty
6 – keep your water heater at 120 degrees F
7 – make sure your refrigerator is well sealed
8 – keep your thermostat between 65 and 68 – wear a sweater
9 – make sure you get an annual tune-up for your furnace
10 – get your air conditioner tuned up every 3 years
11 – insulate windows and doors
12 - use fans to cool your house
13 – fuel up in the evenings (or early morning) when the air is cool – this reduces gasoline vapors that contribute to smog

14 – Start your day by watching the sunrise.

March 15 - 21 What's all the fuss about Water?

Water is the elixir of life; 80% of the earth's surface, 70% of our body weight. Did you know that only 1% of the water on earth is potable (drinkable).

It's hard to imagine a world with little drinkable water. But for many people around the globe that has become, or is becoming a reality. The movie FLOW (For Love Of Water), which came out last year, gives an in depth look at the crisis we are facing as we turn a blind eye to this life-giving resource as well as a hopeful look at what can be done.

David Garson reminds us, "to be stewards of this precious resource requires that we use it carefully . . . and at a personal level . . . Stewarding our precious and finite supply of water is an essential part of living an environmentally sustainable lifestyle."

As we are called to be stewards of the earth, let us remember all the ways water is useful to us - as well as how we best care for this precious resource.
Here are ideas from the "Green Living Handbook"

1 - find leaks in your home and repair them
2 - reduce water used for flushing toilets
3 - reduce the number of times you flush
4 - install water saving devices (low flow shower heads, faucet aerators . . .)
5 - reduce shower and bath water
6 - reduce water used in personal care (turn off water while brushing teeth, shaving, soaping up . . ._

7 - reduce water used to wash dishes
8 - drink refrigerated water
9 - minimize salt used by water softeners
10 - Check Water purity
11 - wash your car on grass or gravel (or better go to a car wash that treats and recycles the water)

12 - reduce the amount of water going in to the sewer system
13 - reduce water used on lawns and gardens (or better yet xeriscape your yard)
14 - reduce use of weed killers and fertilizers
15 - create a sustainable stream side ecosystem

March 8 - 14, "Dumping on Garbage"

In the book Green Living Handbook (see also sidebar) author David Gershon writes "There is no such thing as garbage in nature. Everything nature creates is used to create something else . . .

. . .the new motto for a responsible global citizen is 'What I bring into my house I steward.' Accepting this maxim asks us to think carefully before we step into the role of stewarding something. The question, 'Do I have a way to reuse or recycle this object?' needs to be our basic approach to using Earth's resources".

These are issues brought before us as people of faith because we are called to be stewards of the earth and all her resources (Gen 1:28 - 30). Since nothing that God/nature creates is "trash" or "garbage" - are there ways that we can move again toward all things being seen as products of value throughout their lifetime?

Is it even possible live in a NO GARBAGE household?

There are a number of things we can be doing to move in that direction - at least to take the steps. (the following are from David Gershon's book - see side bar)

1 recycle
2 re-use bags
3 bring your own containers for "doggy-bags" or carry-out orders
4 use each little inch of paper to take notes (both sides)
5 learn about composting (you probably know someone who does this already
- ask them for tips to get started)
6 use cloth instead of paper (napkins, cleaning counter tops . . .)
7 get items repaired instead of tossing them
8 donate or sell used goods
9 use re-usable party products
10 mulch your grass
11 plant trees

Recycling Electronics

I know many people are confused by all the "rules" for recycling. Here are some helpful tips that I've found (scouring many websites) for those of us living in the San Diego area:

Batteries:

One time use batteries can be recycled at the Miramar Recycling Center or at Recycle San Diego for a small fee. There are also special events for e-waste that usually will accept these at no charge. Check this website for upcoming events:

http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/reselectronics.shtml

Light Bulbs:

The "old" incandescent light bulbs that have been around for many, many years can be disposed of in your normal household trash.

Compact Flourescent Lamps (CFL's) have a trace amount of mercury in them and need to be disposed of as hazardous waste at the Miramar Landfill or a hazardous waste collection event.

Computers, Monitors, TV's and other miscellaneous electronics:

Most of these things can be recycled for free at Miramar Recycling Center, Recycle San Diego or at any of the special e-waste collection events.

Cell Phones:

These can be recycled at any of the Recycling centers listed previously or at most retailers that sell cell phones and even some post offices will accept them.

This may not cover everything you maybe concerned about, so feel free to comment and ask questions. There may be others with the same question and I will post a reply with the answer (if I can find it).

p.s. With the much needed rain we've been getting, turn off your sprinkler system , if you have one, to save our very precious resource of clean, drinkable water.

Water Rationing in San Diego

The Union Tribune reported on 2/7/09 that SD leaders are developing a plan for water rationing based on a "budget" for residents and businesses to use as they see fit. If businesses and residents go over a pre-determined cap, they could be charged fees up to 5 times the regular cost of water.

Critics of the plan feel that those who have already been conserving water will be penalized the most because now they will have to cut back the same percentage as those who have been squandering water all along.

Public meetings are being held on February 9, 10, and 12 to hear public comments (see U-T, 2/7/09: Super savers may not see fairness in rationing plan).

What's your solution?

Team - I think we are off and running!

Welcome

If you have made it this far - welcome. Welcome to the conversation and the challenge of making your life, neighborhood, community, a little more "green". We hope that we can be in conversation to inspire and support one another in this journey.

I know there are lots of resources out there - let's help one another find more resources that make sense for us.

Over the next few months we will be posting information and conversation starters to be living more "green" - we all need a little nudge sometimes.

Good Luck and Happy New Year