TheWildTribe

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jane Murphy <jcmurphy@...>
Date: Apr 26, 2007 3:12 PM
Subject: DIA Information Alert: Earth Day What You Can DO
To: #2@..., DIA@...


*Democracy in Action . . .*

*….**hopes you choose to minimize your own personal contributions*

*to global warming .*


*WHAT CAN **YOU** DO TO HELP?** *
Reduce your impact at home: *

* *

*Behavior*

*Reduction in Carbon (lbs/year)*
Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs



300
Move your thermostat up 2˚ in summer and down 2˚ in winter



2,000
Clean or replace filters on your air conditioner and/or furnace



350
Install a programmable thermostat

(save $100 on your bill/year)
When buying, choose energy efficient appliances



Depends on the appliance
Wrap your water heater in an insulating blanket



1,000
Set your water heater to no higher than 120˚F

550
Install a low flow shower head

350
Wash your clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot



500
Use a clothesline instead of a dryer when you can
700 (for six months' use per year)
Turn off electronic devices you're not using

1,000
Unplug electronics from the wall when you're not using them

This accounts for 5% of total domestic energy usage!
Only run your dishwasher when it's full

100
Insulate your home

2,000
Caulk and weatherstrip (winterize) your home

1,700
Recycle at home

2,400
Buy and use recycled paper products


Get a home energy audit

1,000
Plant a tree

One tree uses 1,000 lb CO2/life
Avoid heavily packaged products

1,200
*YOUR** TOTAL POTENTIAL CARBON SAVINGS:*

*15,150 lb/year*

*
*
Reduce your impact on the road: *

* *

*Behavior*

*Reduction in Carbon (lbs/year)*
Reduce the number of miles you drive by 10 miles/wk -- walk, bike, or
carpool instead



500
Carpool with a classmate or coworker just 2 days/week



1,590
Keep your car tuned up

Depends on the car
Check your tires weekly to see that they're properly inflated

Each gallon of gas burned = 30 lb CO2; properly inflated tires increase
mileage by 3%!
When buying a car, choose a more fuel-efficient model
A difference of only 3 mpg could save up to 3,000 lb CO2
Telecommute from home
How many gallons/year do you now burn in commuting? At 30 lb CO2/gal, you
could save a LOT!
Fly less

Planes emit large quantities of CO2
*YOUR **TOTAL POTENTIAL CARBON SAVINGS:*

*Significant!*



* from www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/whatyoucando/index.html

*Other suggestions:*

- Buy locally grown produce – reduce the food's transportation miles
and reduce carbon*
- Buy fresh instead of frozen food – frozen takes 10 times as much
energy to produce*
- Buy organic foods – soils at organic farms capture and use CO2 at
much higher rates than other soils*
- Eat less meat – cows produce great quantities of methane, the second
most significant greenhouse gas*
- When watering yard/garden, use a drip hose instead of an aerial
sprinkler
- If you water, water in the evening or early morning to minimize
evaporation
- Better yet, xeriscape your yard
- If you have grass, use a hand mower
- Raise your own vegetables
- Compost your organic yard and non-meat kitchen waste
- Use your air conditioning minimally if you have to use it at all
- Share your living space with others
- Downsize your living space: move to a smaller place
- For recreation, try human-powered sports: canoeing, swimming,
biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, sailing, skating, camping, rock
climbing. The list is endless, and none requires an internal
combustion engine!



* from www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/whatyoucando/index.html



--
http://www.thewildtribe.blogspot.com


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