It's easy to point to city, state and even federal governments when it comes to blaming people for our current environmental crisis, but the fact of the matter is, Americans are typically known to be savage consumers. Until now, we've never given that much thought to plastic shopping bags, auto emissions, recycling, you name it.

 

But the signs are becoming increasingly serious: we need to do something about Earth's environment .. NOW. After years, centuries even, of irresponsible polluting, people are finally heeding the warnings.

 

Instead of placing the blame on other people or parties, what are we doing as individuals to do our part to try and change the situation? Or is complacency/apathy still a major part of everyone's consciousness on the issue?

 

This link has a great list of resources, including things we can all do (for not very much adjustment or money, by the way .. this needs to stop being our excuse) to become more responsible stewards of our Earth.

 

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/4990/

 

I got my driving down to 11,000 miles/year. 

I am considering converting a bicycle to electric to reduce the energy-impact of my commuting.  Check it out: www.bionx.ca

Very cool.

 

I recently switched all of my bills over to e-mail notifications in order to reduce paper consumption.

I will be switching to fluorescent light bulbs as soon as my current incandescent bulbs go out.

Also, I will try and get green shopping bags for my groceries to cut down on the ridiculous amount of petroleum this country already consumes.

I try to recycle as much as I can.

I take public trans to/from work.  I drive less than 10k miles a year as a result.

 

Edited to add that we have all compact flourescents in our apt.  In the evening, we don't use any lights at all other than the light from the TV and instead burn candles instead of electricity.

 

I've mentioned my Eco Bags on here before (www.ecobags.com).  I bought the organic cotton ones.  I use them for everything.  Particularly grocery shopping but I also take them to target, other errand places.

 

Even though my city recycles, they do not recycle in apartment buildings (this seems to be common everywhere I've lived in the various burbs).  I collect all my recyclables and we have to put them in the car and drive them to 2 different recycling locations (to hit all the forms of recyclables we have - paper/newspaper and glass/plastic/cans). 

 

I've also pushed my company to form a "Green" committee and while the red tape is enormous, we are at least discussing things we can do that we don't do, and analyzing where changes can be made which is some kind of progress.

 

I think small things count too.  I use my own coffee mug at work instead of the cups they provide.

 

I take very short showers.  Certainly shorter than most women.  And colder.  In the summer, I actually don't use hardly any warm water at all.

 

I've made greater and greater efforts in recent years to shop locally and support local farmers of all varieties, as well as avoiding products that are shipped in from halfway across the country or the world.

 

There are other personal things we do that are small like this but I think the bigger impact comes from my memberships in the Nature Conservancy, The Sierra Club, the NRDC and CREDO wireless (formerly working assets).  Through these organizations I've been prompted at every opportunity to write or call my senators, congresspeople and even  members of the Shrub/FaceShooter administration to let them know my feelings and desires on issues as they are coming up to vote or coming into the public's eye and I've got a stack of response letters probably a foot high, which really makes me feel like I'm contributing to the process.   

didn't seicer start a thread on this.  to lazy to look.

Impressive. I also take public trans. Forgot to mention that. I would honestly rather take a bike everywhere, but living in the Bronx, that can be difficult when most of my activities take place in Manhattan.

 

I think the little things count, too. I think that if people start with doing the little things, that can make a huge difference, too.

 

I've bookmarked the EcoBags page. I'll have to check them out.

 

 

didn't seicer start a thread on this.  to lazy to look.

 

I don't think so .. I looked for one before posting this one, so if I missed it, I apologize.

I really like Eco Bags because there's no logo to do free advertising for someone and the bags are BIG and hold quite a lot.  I constantly have to shoo away the bagging people when I go to a regular grocery as they are used to putting like 2-4 items in one bag, which is STUPID.  I buy a lot of groceries and I can fit them all into 2 or 3 big eco bags.

I did the following

 

1. Avoided driving for an entire month.  This was actually because my vehicle was having problems.  But I walked and used mass transit to get everywhere.  I saved an incredible amount of money also.

 

2.  Our house switched to CFL,

 

3.  We also placed Plexiglas over the windows.  They are historic so we can't ask to have them replaced, but we noticed are furnace turns on less.

 

 

That's about it for now I guess.  I mean we aren't recycling any more than we used to

 

 

• Recycle virtually everything I possibly can.
  
• Refuse bags at stores if I can remember to bring my own or carry my own stuff.
  
• Plan on moving Downtown (within 2-3 months) and ditching my car entirely for a bike and mass transit.
  
• I make sure to buy local products from local stores.
  

1. I take transit whenever I can and walk to the store every few days to buy groceries (rather than wait a week and have to get so much stuff that I'd have to drive). But my work requires that I have a car, yet I try to do as many interviews by phone. I used to drive more than 15,000 miles per year, but now I'm down below 10,000.

2. I'm investing in companies that develop/build renewable energy, and bought a commodities tracking fund.

3. I bought and installed radiant electric heaters in my fifth-floor condo (one cove heater each in my office and living room, with a panel heater in my bedroom). Cove heater: http://www.infraredheaters.com/cove.htm and Panel Heater: http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0006393L8/102-6138615-9820901?SubscriptionId=1NP56Y8QKPN1AZERGY02

My natural gas-powered furnace and its electric fan rarely runs anymore, and my natural gas bills have dropped to zero most of the year and less than $40 per month during the winter. My electric bills are about $125 per month in the winter.

4. I don't buy things packed in styrofoam. I reuse plastic bags (grocery bags and sandwich bags).

5. I'm investigating what it would take to convert (partially or wholly) my 36-unit, 7-story condo building to solar/wind powered electricity. I'm interested to hear if anyone else has done this, or knows of any buildings have done it.

6. Next stop is to buy a bicycle and get a job to which I can take transit and don't need to own a car anymore. I may still own the car that I have, which costs me less than $100 per month in insurance. The car is fully paid off and gets 27 mpg -- not bad.

3. ... radiant electric heaters in my fifth-floor condo (one cove heater each in my office and living room, with a panel heater in my bedbroom). Cove heater: http://www.infraredheaters.com/cove.htm and Panel Heater...

Hey, KJP: would the cove heater solve this problem: our bathroom is in a chilly corner of the house.  It is sneezy/uncomfortable in there at shower time.  I was thinking of mounting a quartz radiant heater over the sink so I can stand under the radiant heat like an old buzzard drying his wings.  Do you think the cove heater could to that?  Would I feel heat coming right off of the panel?  Or should I not expect it to warm the room so quickly?  It sure is more attractive than the "pop-rivet-chic" quartz heater.  Thanks.

 

I think the photovoltaics by this local dealer are worth a look for your building: www.repowersolutions.com Also: www.clevelandsolar-wind.com I know a lot about that technology, although I have never done an integration.  Ask!

5. I'm investigating what it would take to convert (partially or wholly) my 36-unit, 7-story condo building to solar/wind powered electricity. I'm interested to hear if anyone else has done this, or knows of any buildings have done it.

 

KJP, I read this article in the NY Times a few weeks ago, and while there are differences between NY and OH incentives, etc, it might be helpful in terms of you trying to retrofit an entire apartment building. Seems it's not as easy as one would think, but hopefully this doesn't stop you from carrying your plans out.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/nyregion/23about.html?_r=1&scp=10&sq=green+apartment&st=nyt&oref=slogin

There is a gazillion things but here are a few.

 

1) House 10 blocks from Center of Downtown Cincy.

2) Recycle/Compost/CFL lighting/Energy Star appliances.

3) Plant native trees/shrubs/flowers

4) 1 car family.

5) Walk/Ride bike/scooter/motorcycle/bus.  Streetcar advocate.

6) Buy locally grown produce (in season) at local farmers market.

7) Shop for other things online/thrift store/locally.

8.) Help out at Great American neighborhood cleanup every year.

9) Duke Energy go green program 1000 KWH Month

10) Cloth sack for shopping

 

 

3. ... radiant electric heaters in my fifth-floor condo (one cove heater each in my office and living room, with a panel heater in my bedbroom). Cove heater: http://www.infraredheaters.com/cove.htm and Panel Heater...

Hey, KJP: would the cove heater solve this problem: our bathroom is in a chilly corner of the house.  It is sneezy/uncomfortable in there at shower time.  I was thinking of mounting a quartz radiant heater over the sink so I can stand under the radiant heat like an old buzzard drying his wings.  Do you think the cove heater could to that?  Would I feel heat coming right off of the panel?  Or should I not expect it to warm the room so quickly?  It sure is more attractive than the "pop-rivet-chic" quartz heater.  Thanks.

 

Different types of radiant heaters are applicable to different sized spaces. The standard-sized cove heater can effectively heat a 200-square-foot room. A panel heater can heat a 100-square-foot room and for less money. But for either heater to work effectively and efficiently, you need to have them controlled by a thermostat (you can get a decent but cheap one at any Home Depot, Lowe's etc., which is what I did). That way, you don't have to turn on the heater, wait for it to heat up objects in the room, which then heat up the air (yep, radiant heaters don't directly warm the air, they first heat objects, including people). Just like driving a car at a constant speed is more fuel efficient, so is using a heater (or air conditioner) for a steady temperature.

 

I think the photovoltaics by this local dealer are worth a look for your building: www.repowersolutions.com Also: www.clevelandsolar-wind.com I know a lot about that technology, although I have never done an integration.  Ask!

 

Thanks! I've investigated both Web sites a couple months ago, but would like to talk to someone about a conversion/integration. I've also got some ideas about how to install a less intrusive looking solar/wind combo on my building's roof, but I'd love to see if there's a way to affordably test the concept first. Drop me a PM sometime and I'll describe the concept to see if it passes the idea threshhold first.

I think that the biggest issue I have is appealing to my family and older people whom I work with to do things more green.  Many of them have no enthusiasm for the environment and admit that they're set in their ways and have no interest to change.

 

Anyone have luck encouraging green behavior?

I think that the biggest issue I have is appealing to my family and older people whom I work with to do things more green.  Many of them have no enthusiasm for the environment and admit that they're set in their ways and have no interest to change.

 

Anyone have luck encouraging green behavior?

 

My Mom didn't take an interest until after she saw "An Inconvenient Truth," which I made her go see.  She doesn't do a TON of stuff now but does recycle and bought some ecobags.

I think that the biggest issue I have is appealing to my family and older people whom I work with to do things more green.  Many of them have no enthusiasm for the environment and admit that they're set in their ways and have no interest to change.

 

Anyone have luck encouraging green behavior?

 

Ask them if they care about their children's and grandchildren's future.

My parents could care less, too. It's difficult changing people's perceptions on the issue. I mean, forget about children and grandchildren .. it would benefit US hugely, too!

 

I thought I would post this website:

 

www.greendimes.com

 

For a $20 fee, you can add your address to their database, and they'll stop 90% (so they say) of junk mail that comes to your house and plant trees on your behalf. This has been on Oprah and one other show environmental tv show I saw over the weekend (the name escapes me at the moment).

Yeah I started one a long time ago but I like where this thread is heading. A merge may be good later if I can find the old thread (I can't find it either!).

 

As for me...

1. I bicycle to work and class whenever I can (sans some of the winter, where I walk).

2. I use recycled paper towels and toilet paper, and supplement my kitchen with rags which has dropped my paper towel consumption greatly.

3. I use the dishwasher on full loads.

4. I use CFLs in my apartment, and turn off my appliances, etc. when they are not needed.

5. I drive a little less, but I do a lot of trips on the weekends to make up for my lack of driving on the weekdays.

6. I eat local and organic foods almost exclusively now.

7. I use cloth bags most of the time (trying to leave one in the car so I can make those quick trips and not forget).

 

1.  No Car...use Public Trans, Bike or Walk....or maybe once a month use I-Go car sharing which uses hybrids

2.  Own 675 sq ft of space and use it efficiently, therefore I only buy what I really need/use and buy quality not quantity

3.  Recycle all I can, including an ongoing charity bag that gets dropped at the thrift store bi-monthly (I only have a set amount of wood  hangers in my closet, so when I buy an item, something has to go).

4.  CFL's

5.  Use natural cleaning products

6.  All e-billing...no paper

7.  Shop local and patronize merchants that do also

8.  Use a small energy efficient dishwasher that uses less water than doing it by hand

9.  Try to use sustainable/renewable products and materials when renovating my condo and low/no VOC's

 

And the top ten thing...Have never stepped foot in Wal-Mart

 

 

Growing up my father always recycled, used a push mower, bought fuel efficient cars and we had solar panels on the roof...so I am kinda used to it.  My Dad is not a 60's hippie either, he was born in 1930 and does it because it makes sense and saves money(he is cheap).  I think it's interesting how the Baby Boomers were alive during the ecology movement/oil crisis of the 60's/70's, but most seem to have forgotten all about it and are the worst offenders...with big houses and cars.  The depression era folks really knew how to save things and recycle just by the nature of the era they grew up in, not because it was trendy.

Hey, what's wrong with 60s hippies! :)

:-D Nothing at all...just clarifying that my parents did/do all that and they are much older.  One might assume they were more 60's hippies by those actions...but they are far from it in every other aspect...trust me.

You guys are giving lots of great tips .. stuff that I definitely want to implement in the future. I think it's so great to have this stuff as a resource .. inspiring action and whatnot.

Nice suggestions from all. 

I'd like to add a time and money saving suggestion that I think is also green.  Online Bill Payment via your banks(its free from First Merit and I think many other banks).  I'm surprised at the amount of people that do not take advantage of this.  I haven't started using E-billing but I probably could    look into that. 

The benefits of Online Bill Payment is far fewer trips to the Post Office to either buy stamps or to send off checks to pay bills.  Thats the main green part..  There's also the benefit of less stamp usage and therefore that saves money.  The main benefit to me is just Peace of Mind.  You can see the bills that you paid the previous month everything is set up to pay again for the next month.  You control when and how much you want to send off and the bank takes care of it.  This saves me:

  Approx. $50 a year in stamps.

Countless hours in driving and waiting at the Post Office.

Countless hours of worrying or having to remember if I paid a bill.

No late fees.

Most people I know use online bill payment.  I admit I only have about half my bills on e-bill only but I tend not to review them as carefully if I don't see them on paper.  I do, however, shred and recycle the paper they come on!

Anyone have luck encouraging green behavior?

 

Yup...I've gotten my parents to start recycling, as well as, the parents for a friend of mine.  I also think my (and others on here) relentless promotion of inner-city living also counts.

Most people I know use online bill payment.  I admit I only have about half my bills on e-bill only but I tend not to review them as carefully if I don't see them on paper.  I do, however, shred and recycle the paper they come on!

 

There's usually a way to download the bills onto your computer and save them as pdfs .. then if you need to, you have them handy to refer to at a later date. That's what I try to do.

There's usually a way to download the bills onto your computer and save them as pdfs .. then if you need to, you have them handy to refer to at a later date. That's what I try to do.

 

Yup...that's exactly what I do as well.  No hard-copy bills AT ALL for me.

My Mom didn't take an interest until after she saw "An Inconvenient Truth," which I made her go see.  She doesn't do a TON of stuff now but does recycle and bought some ecobags.

 

If that caused her to make a small change in behavior, show her the film "A Crude Awakening" ... http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/

 

Just make sure you don't show her the film while in a tall building.....

 

Yeah it's really depressing.

 

It's good that your mum made the change based on the documentary. It radically changed my thinking on many issues. All hail and worship Al Gore, our new Lord and Savior.

In addition to the recycling and transit and using canvas bags and all that, I am eating much less meat.  Depending on who you believe, this is probably the next big frontier of environmentalism...but is one of the harder habits to change.  The non-environmental benefits also help me stick with it though.

 

Also hard to change: air travel.  I just don't see myself amtraking it between Cleveland and New York regularly until travel times are below 8 hours or so (projected to happen in year two thousand and never at the current rate of US railroading progress).

... I am eating much less meat.  Depending on who you believe, this is probably the next big frontier of environmentalism...but is one of the harder habits to change.  The non-environmental benefits also help me stick with it though.

Put some Mrs. Dash on it!  I eat meals that most people would consider to be "side dishes".   Baked potatos and green beans.  Rice and beans.  I learned that if you season it adequately, it will be a satisfying meal.  I eat wild salmon about once a week.  I consider myself to be a "sustainability vegetarian"

 

I am serious about the Mrs. Dash.  McCormick's has a version of it, too.  If the meal is kidney beans or pinto beans, put cumin on it.  Season starchy foods like rice, macaroni, and potatos with parseley.

1) I am recycling. I wish I could find the data (NY times magazine if anyone is a good googler).  I was truly shocked what a difference it makes. Even though I have always been good with the newspaper, I thought it was little more than a token gesture, however it may be comparable to driving a hybrid. Now we try and recycle about everything that can be.

 

2) eating as few processed and packaged foods as possible.

 

3) driving a 90-100 MPG scooter most of the year. Household is down to one car. We ride scooters when weather permits, of not, one of us is walking to work (have you seen me trudging through snow storms down w.25th?).

 

4) both of us living in the city, rather than commuting.

Does anyone have any great tips on reducing junk mail?  I know that it's been touched upon here, just not in detail.

 

I saw that the Direct Marketing Association has a page that details how to have your name removed from mailing lists, but you have to enter a credit card number online (it supposedly isn't charged, though) or mail in a check for $1 with a completed form.  It's linked to on some reputable government websites, so it seems legitimate.  One of the steps is that you have to select all of the junk mail you do not want to receive.  I'm thinking that if you select something you haven't received, junk mailers know you exist and will begin sending garbage.  Has anyone ever done this?

 

I haven't.

 

www.greendimes.com

 

For a $20 fee, you can add your address to their database, and they'll stop 90% (so they say) of junk mail that comes to your house and plant trees on your behalf. Or, you can join for free and select junk mail you want blocked manually (if you pay $20, it's a bit more configured for you).

I compost my own poop.

^ What a waste.  har har........

 

 

Actually, the city of Flint is treating human waste and using it as fuel for their bus system. 

Nothing. I'm a terrible burden on mother nature.

I eat as much veal as possible to help reduce the methane introduced into the environment by grown cows.

I eat as much veal as possible to help reduce the methane introduced into the environment by grown cows.

 

LOL

I thought I would bump this thread...and I think this is the appropriate thread for my shameless self-promo :-D.  I have researched a lot of products for smaller condos/apartments for city living and decided to put some of my findings in a blog...and since smaller is greener... 

 

Let me know what you guys think, or if you find any of the ideas helpful.  Thanks!

 

http://650sqft.com/

I thought I would bump this thread...and I think this is the appropriate thread for my shameless self-promo :-D.  I have researched a lot of products for smaller condos/apartments for city living and decided to put some of my findings in a blog...and since smaller is greener... 

 

Let me know what you guys think, or if you find any of the ideas helpful.  Thanks!

 

http://650sqft.com/

 

You live in 650 sq ft? O! M! G!

I thought I would bump this thread...and I think this is the appropriate thread for my shameless self-promo :-D.  I have researched a lot of products for smaller condos/apartments for city living and decided to put some of my findings in a blog...and since smaller is greener... 

 

Let me know what you guys think, or if you find any of the ideas helpful.  Thanks!

 

http://650sqft.com/

 

You live in 650 sq ft? O! M! G!

I know what you mean. I wish I had half that amount! lol

I thought I would bump this thread...and I think this is the appropriate thread for my shameless self-promo ;D .  I have researched a lot of products for smaller condos/apartments for city living and decided to put some of my findings in a blog...and since smaller is greener... 

 

Let me know what you guys think, or if you find any of the ideas helpful.  Thanks!

 

http://650sqft.com/

 

You live in 650 sq ft? O! M! G!

I know what you mean. I wish I had half that amount! lol

 

WAIT!  Your apartment is smaller than that?

 

Maybe there is reason my my brother, father, mother, and several cousin sent me this hoarding article?  Hummm.  Granted I'm not a hoarder of things at my house!

I thought I would bump this thread...and I think this is the appropriate thread for my shameless self-promo ;D .  I have researched a lot of products for smaller condos/apartments for city living and decided to put some of my findings in a blog...and since smaller is greener... 

 

Let me know what you guys think, or if you find any of the ideas helpful.  Thanks!

 

http://650sqft.com/

 

You live in 650 sq ft? O! M! G!

I know what you mean. I wish I had half that amount! lol

 

WAIT!  Your apartment is smaller than that?

 

Maybe there is reason my my brother, father, mother, and several cousin sent me this hoarding article?  Hummm.  Granted I'm not a hoarder of things at my house!

Mine is much less than 650. Not everyone lives in a 10,000 sq ft townhouse. I must be at Level 2, maybe borderline Level 3 in the article.

I thought I would bump this thread...and I think this is the appropriate thread for my shameless self-promo ;D .  I have researched a lot of products for smaller condos/apartments for city living and decided to put some of my findings in a blog...and since smaller is greener... 

 

Let me know what you guys think, or if you find any of the ideas helpful.  Thanks!

 

http://650sqft.com/

 

You live in 650 sq ft? O! M! G!

I know what you mean. I wish I had half that amount! lol

 

WAIT!  Your apartment is smaller than that?

 

Maybe there is reason my my brother, father, mother, and several cousin sent me this hoarding article?  Hummm.  Granted I'm not a hoarder of things at my house!

Mine is much less than 650. Not everyone lives in a 10,000 sq ft townhouse. I must be at Level 2, maybe borderline Level 3 in the article.

 

I'm a big dude. I need space.  I'm a minimalist (outside of clothing), but I do have stuff.  I almost feel guilty about entertaining the thought of selling.

A couple thoughts from someone expected to be a naysayer.  :)

 

-Pet peeve of mine, from my time in the corrugated container industry:  Not using paper products is *not* "going green".  Virgin paper used in commerce, communication, or packaging comes from trees which are:

- grown as a crop.

- not killed during the harvesting process (as anyone who's ever had to remove a tree stump knows). 

 

Saying you are "saving the trees" by not using paper is like saying you are "saving the corn plants" by not eating corn or "saving the sheep" by not using wool. 

 

I personally refuse to use CFLs.  Break one, and you've got a nice toxic mercury spill that needs a hazmat team to clean it up and can't be cleaned from carpeting or furniture.  It's technically illegal to throw them in the trash.  They're made in China for a reason, the manufacturing makes a severe mess and the workers get sick.

 

Also, if you believe in the alleged effects of "greenhouse gas", live in an area where nuclear power is used,  and heat your home using natural gas, incandescent bulbs can result in a net decrease of your greenhouse gas emmisions versus CFLs.

 

I'll consider LEDs when they are more commonly available. 

^ What a waste.  har har........

 

 

Actually, the city of Flint is treating human waste and using it as fuel for their bus system. 

 

Hey, why not?  Their "favorite son" uses it in his movies all the time.  :)

...I personally refuse to use CFLs.  Break one, and you've got a nice toxic mercury spill that needs a hazmat team to clean it up and can't be cleaned from carpeting or furniture.  It's technically illegal to throw them in the trash.  They're made in China for a reason, the manufacturing makes a severe mess and the workers get sick.

 

Also, if you believe in the alleged effects of "greenhouse gas", live in an area where nuclear power is used,  and heat your home using natural gas, incandescent bulbs can result in a net decrease of your greenhouse gas emmisions versus CFLs.

 

I'll consider LEDs when they are more commonly available. 

I hate CFLs too but mostly because they take a couple minutes to "warm up". I've been slowly replacing all my CFLs with LEDs, but they're not cheap. I buy 1 everytime I'm in Home Depot buying other stuff for the house (So every couple months) and if I notice that they're on sale I go buy a couple.

 

As for what else am I doing to go green;

I take the bus most days to work (In the spring and summer I rode the bike once or twice a week).

I recycle, though not as much as I should.

I'm half-way through rewiring my house so that I can blow insulation into the walls (the fun of an old house).

I grew a handful of my own vegatables this summer.