Small steps we can all take to help save our environment.

1. The Greening of a Generation
BY PAM SMITH
I I have always been a great
believer in the idea that if
we all do just a little bit of
good, our combined efforts
will result in an enormous
amount of good. This applies
to acts of generosity, good will,
kindness, and of course, caring
for our environment. Fortunately,
when it comes to caring for the
environment, even the simplest
change in our behavior can have
a lasting impact and greatly
reduce our carbon footprint* on
the earth. If you apply even one
of the following suggestions to
your lifestyle, you will contribute The cost of CFL bulbs has gone businesses that offer products
to a greener world and save a few down significantly in the past and services sourced from no
dollars as well. year. They use far less energy more than 100 miles from your
than a traditional bulb and last home (start with your local
Monitor your thermostat. Small
ten times as long. One study farmer’s market). Expand your
changes make a big difference
shows that if every American portfolio by investing in socially
over time. Take note of your
house-hold were to swap just one responsible businesses.
usual setting on the thermostat
traditional bulb for a CFL bulb,
in summer and winter. Make the Install a water filter. Using a
we would eliminate greenhouse
Two Degree Pledge. In warmer water filter will not only keep
gasses equivalent to the emis-
months turn your control up two you from digesting toxins in our
sions of 800,000 cars.
degrees and in colder months water, it will also reduce your
turn it down two degrees. Save Slow down. For each 5 mph you dependence on plastic water bot-
$300 a year on your power bill drive over 60 mph, you pay an tles. In fact, a typical filter can
and reduce greenhouse gasses by extra 20 cents per gallon for gas. eliminate up to two tractor trail-
one ton. Following the speed limit ers full of plastic bottles in our
improves your mileage by 7 to 23 landfills, and the energy required
Unplug idle
* “Carbon appliances
percent, saving you 22 cents to to manufacture those bottles.
71 cents per gallon.
footprint” and electron- Laundry basics. Does every load
ics. Even Carpooling. Are your children or need hot water? Probably not.
is a term used when when cell grandchildren involved in sports, Use cold water whenever possible.
referring to how much phone charg- clubs, or other after school activi- Install a rack above your washer
carbon dioxide you ers, comput- ties? Start a carpool. Email or call and dryer and after tumbling
produce. Whether you ers, and televi- the people involved. Not only will clothing in dryer for 5 minutes,
believe carbon dioxide is sions are not you save time, gas, and money, remove and place on hangers
the cause of global in use, if they you and your family will enjoy a above machine to air dry. This
warming or not, it is are plugged closer sense of community. not only cuts down on electric
harmful to the in, they still use, in many cases it also elimi-
Become a conscious consumer.
environment and draw a signifi- nates the need to iron.
Being a conscious consumer
reducing your carbon cant amount means voting with your spending COMING IN THE NEXT ISSUE.
footprint of energy. dollars to create the change you Water runoff; how it affects Long
is a great idea. Switch to want to see in the world. Buy Island’s fragile marine ecosystem
http://www.nature.org/ compact only what you need. Purchase and what you can do to help.
initiatives/climatechange fluorescent green products and services
/calculator/ light bulbs. whenever you can. Support local
generations | spring ‘08 | 1