I would like to share with you my small steps of making the earth green again, by working and living with nature and saving money while at it. By living greener life you aligns your self with the principles of the universe, which means working together with nature. When you work with nature, it becomes your friend. When you have nature as one of your friends, you have one of the most powerful friends in the whole of cosmos. Most simply you reduce pollution, reduce global warming and help climate change. By doing so you give your children and their children the chance to also enjoy nature and not just the waste land or desert we are so good at making.
I encourage to take as many steps of living a greener life as you can and even some more steps you can think of. I would love to hear of any other suggestions about other green living tips from you dear friends. Please write to me or contact by skype. Love and light for all. Arek
KEY
(me) - This sign means that I personally 'walk' those steps!
Simple steps to being green! How to do your bit easy way.
1. Buying less gives off less waist - (me) The most simple way to be green is not to buy things you don't need. I have thrown out so much junk and made more space in my place thanks to this. So you can sell (ebay), give to charity or throw away all those things you do not need.
2. Energy smart - Energy efficient appliances. - (me)
I. Lights (me)
They use two to 10 times less electricity for the same functionality, and are mostly higher quality products that last longer than the less efficient ones. In short, efficient appliances save you lots of energy and money.
In many countries, efficiency rating labels are mandatory on most appliances. In the EU, models are labeled A++ for the most efficient, then A+, A, B, C, D for subsequently less efficient models. Look for the A++ or A+ models. In the US, the Energy Star label is used.
CFL light bulbs.
Perhaps the quickest and easiest way to begin saving energy at home is by replacing standard light bulbs with new compact fluorescent bulbs. They cost slightly more than regular light bulbs, but they save money over time because they last up to 13 times longer and compact fluorescents use four times less energy. A CF light bulb uses 18 Wts of power where normal light bulb would use 100Wts.
SUMMARY
- 80% less power consumption with no loss of brightness
- Long life (10 years at an average usage of 3 hours per day)
- 18w bulb produces the equivalent of 100w brightness
- Fitting size key to fitting sizes:
BC Standard Bayonet (B22)
SBC Small Bayonet (B15)
ES Standard Screw (E27)
SES Small Screw (E14)
II. Laptop uses 4 times less power than a desktop computer. (me)
III. Green washing machine which has eco mode (washing machine model: beko eco care) (me)
IV. Other green appliances and energy saving devices such as Save plug - which cuts down your fridge energy use in a smart way.
V. Don't run your washing machine if all you're putting in is a pair of socks, a t-shirt and a bra. Wait till you can fill your washing machine to the full and then turn it on! This will save you doing loads of washing powder and money. (me)
VI. Don't boil a whole kettle for just one cup of tea. Good to buy a 1 liter thermal flask and then fill it up with water and put tea in it. That way you can have hot tee for longer than just one cup of tea! Saves you money and build up of lime scale. (me)
VII. Close the fridge door when you're not getting something out. It will save money, keep your foods fresh longer and prevent injuries! (me)
VIII. Take showers instead of baths. When you wash in bath you are actually washing in your own dirt. This is how pigs wash. Shower can use up to 10 times less energy.
IX. Don't keep your house too warm. Warmer environment attracts insects and germs faster. Wear an extra jumper or a sweat shirt rather than turning up few degrees. It will also save you money. You can also invest in better insulation (please see Advanced steps below) (me)
X. When, it's cold I'm not going to turn up my thermostat. In fact, I've turned it down, to 67 degrees when we're home, and to 58 degrees when we're not home or going to bed. A sweater in the evening and an extra quilt or blanket on the bed is all we find we need to be cozy and comfortable.
With the release just last week of the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which concluded that human activity, fossil-fuel use and land use change in particular, is primarily responsible for the increased atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases, my carbon diet has taken on even greater relevance. And how simple it is to lower the thermostat a few degrees, yet surprisingly effective a means to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions. In fact, the modest drop of a few degrees on my thermostat dial is estimated to yield an annual CO2 reduction of 1,400 pounds.
Truth is, I'm surprised how much of a difference some fairly minor adjustments to energy use in our apartment can make. Having taken just four basic steps, I will have dropped over 12,000 pounds of CO2 (over the course of the year). But the year is still young and I'm just getting started. Please let me know some more ways to shed those unwanted emissions. (me)
XI. Change the color of your web site and reduce power consumption. See this article from Microtech.
That's why I have changed energy hungry white background to much more humble green on my websites. More green ideas from this blog http://ecoiron.blogspot.com.
2a. Turn off all things after usage - (me) Do not live your TV, DVD Player, mp3, radio, computer, printer, scanner, stereo, washing machine, toaster and other electrical and gas appliances that are usually left on stand by, because it waste electricity. So remember to turn off everything after usage to save money and be environmentally friendly.
"Feel the power; it is all around you. It is the power of off, and it is limitless.
Try it. Take the telly off standby - 20kg of carbon saved in a single year. Stereo off standby - 66kg of carbon saved. DVD off standby - 44kg of carbon saved.
Feels good, doesn't it? Keep on going. Don't forget the mobile charger - feel its heat; if it's not charging it's still using juice. Turn it off. 10.5 kg saved. Nice one.
Your house has an average of 12 items on standby - hunt them down and turn them off."
2b. Choose green electricity supplier.
Eco Energy (0845 7455455) is also recommended for those in Northern Ireland.
2d. Save power from your computer by using special program called local cooling from http://www.localcooling.com/. It is a freeware program that manages your computers power consumption, tuning it so it saves as much power as possible.
3. BE ETHICAL CONSUMER
3a. Buy products from recycled materials: (me)
Sainsburies offers 100% recycled toilet paper and kitchen towels. Office equipment (Office supplies made from recycled materials. “When you buy any office supply item available through www.DolphinBlue.com, you are contributing to a sustainable future for your children and their children. You have taken a step in creating a better planet. Thank you for buying recycled office supplies and equipment!) and anything else you can lay your hands on.
Here is american site www.ourenergy.us that you can join online free and earn percentages from each purchase.
The general rule is to research (i.e. in search engine google) if the product you are looking for is ethical. So if you looking for ethical shoes - google 'ethical shoes' to see if you can get it ethically made. That is made at little cost to society and environment.
* Eliminate waste print. When you print document and there are some things you do not need to print like images or text you can delete it. Here is a program called green print that doest this. All this can be done by hand free but if you like you can pay for special program. The wall street journal has article on about it.
* Clean up fashion has reports on the ethical stance of major shops such as NEXT, ASDA, TESCO, Debenhams, TOP SHOP and more, so you can see if they are ethical or not!
3d. Ethical teas.
I would like to tell you about a great healthy green tea like which is very healthy. It's called rooibos or red busch, which comes from Africa. It has many health benefits. It is a wonder tea! It can be found in health shops. Here is a link about it: healthy rooibos tea
* “Labour Behind the Label is a campaign that supports garment workers' efforts worldwide to improve their working conditions. We educate consumers, lobby companies and government, raise awareness, and encourage international solidarity with workers. Our members include trade unions and their local branches, consumer organisations, campaign groups, and charities. We are the UK platform of the international Clean Clothes Campaign.” http://www.labourbehindthelabel.org/
3f. USE ETHICAL SERVICES
Amazing, finally a competition to BT, greener, more ethical and cheaper than BT. Finally what I have been waiting for for ages! Also offer broadband and other services.
B. GREEN ISP: www.greenisp.net - (me) a non for profit organisation; have their offices powered by solar power; recycle; use energy saving equipment - laptops, light bulbs; have their offices close to public transport stations so employees don't need to drive = less cars on the roads = less air pollution and traffic; plant a tree for every customer signed up; buy recycled office equipment.
E. ETHICAL BANKING - (me) The 3 banks that are most ethical and environmentally friendly are:
"We will encourage business customers to take a pro-active stance on the Ecological Impact of their own activities and will invest in companies that avoid repeated damage to the environment.
In line with the principles of our Ecological Mission Statement we will not invest in any business or organisation that, as a core activity relies on:
* The extraction or production of fossil fuels which may contribute to problems such as global climate change and acid rain.
* The manufacture of chemicals which may contribute to problems such as ozone depletion or which may accumulate in nature.
* The unsustainable harvest of natural resources such as timber clearance which may lead to deforestation."
2. SMILE -The bank guarantees not to invest in:
government or business which fails to uphold basic human rights
businesses involved in manufacturing or selling armaments or torture equipment to oppressive regimes and businesses with links to oppressive regimes
currency speculation
tobacco manufacture
businesses involved in the development of GMOs
businesses whose core activity contributes to climate change or unsustainable use of natural resources
businesses involved in animal testing, intensive farming, blood sports or the fur trade
The bank will actively support:
* businesses which support fair trade and labour rights
* co-operatives, credit unions and community finance
* businesses involved in recycling, sustainable waste management, renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable use of natural resources
* businesses which promote animal welfare
3. TRIDOS - Mission - Sustainable banking
Triodos Bank finances companies, institutions and projects that add cultural value and benefit people and the environment, with the support of depositors and investors who want to encourage the development of socially responsible and innovative business.
Our mission is:
* to help achieve a healthier society and enhance people's quality of life;
* to enable individuals, institutions and businesses to use money more consciously in ways that benefit people and the environment, and promote sustainable development;
* to offer customers sustainable financial products and high quality service.
G. ECO STONES: Was listening to BBC one planet broadcast tackling issues on global environment. This weeks show talked about illegal stone quarries in India. They use children, have slave labour, pay £1.5 a day, are completaly unsafe and more. Just daily life in India.
Please make sure that where you get your stones is from ethical company such as this www.natural-stone.com
4. Take ethical pledges:
· www.banthebag.org.uk - (me) An ordinary supermarket plastic bag takes between 800-1000 years to brake down completely in natural environment. Many animals become entangled and trapped in them and die not being able to escape them. Here is an educational web site about the various environmental damages plastic bags do. There is also a pledge which upon signing you agree two things:
I. Refuse to accept disposable bags in shops and such.
II . Bring your own reusable bags.
III. Ask at least one friend to make this pledge
· www.flightpledge.org.uk - (me) Flying gives off 9 times more pollution than travel by car and 50 times more pollution than traveling by ship. Flightpledge.org.uk
There you can take 2 pledges. Firs: Silver - to make only 2 flights per year and Gold pledge - not to fly unless in emergency.
In my local supermarket I will look for seafood products that carry the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label and visit those stores that stock MSC-certified seafood.
· I will buy good wood - (me) I pledge to take action to protect our forests and to stop this destruction.
I will not buy wood that comes from forests that are badly managed, or timber that has been illegally produced.
I will make sure that the wood products I buy carry the FSC label whenever they are available.
If FSC products are not available I will ask my store manager to supply them.
I care about my impact on this planet, not just at home, but while I'm away. This is why I'm pledging, whilst on vacation, to:
• Respect the local environment and leave it just as I found it
• Respect local guidelines, recommendations, regulations, and customs.
• Take vacations nearer to home and avoid travelling by air where possible.
• Say "No" to Bad Souvenirs including products made from any endangered species, including animal hides and body parts, tortoise-shell, ivory, or coral
• Support reputable, conservation-minded tour operators and suppliers.
• Stay in locally owned hotels, support local businesses, and hire local guides and services.
• If a tour, tourist service, or supplier was environmentally sensitive and informative, or if it could have been better, I will tell the owner or operator.
2. Joined The Vegeterian societ -
6. Cycle and public transport - (me) I cycle most places and use public transport.
7. Recycle: paper; glass; tins/plastics; batteries; printer cartridges (me)
8. Promote green living (me)
I. Talk about it with people. (me)
II. Write about it on the Internet (web sites / blogs). (me)
III. Organise public talks: (me)
I organise weekly Skypecast - which last about 2 hours to talk about how to live a greener, ethical and natural life.
IV. Sign on line environmental petitions: www.petitionthem.com/ hosts 1000's of petitions categories in to various categories and locations. One of those categories is Environmental Petitions, which has 100's of environmental protection petitions. All it takes is to sign it to support the cause.
V. Send emails about it. (me)
Am running emailing list on how to live green life which send tips and ideas weekly.
9. Read more about green living and how to do your bit!
GREEN NEWS BLOGS
1. By my friend in Russia Katia. She lives in a town where people still throw out rubbish out the window. This was a practice in 16t century in London. http://ecowe.blogspot.com/
10. Buy locally grown food is better for environment.
Apples (in May when off season in UK)
UK New Zealand
271kg CO2 per tonne of apples 185kg CO2 per tonne of apples
Advanced steps
11. Set up solar panels and or wind turbines - Solar panels produce electricity from the sun and can make so much of it that you can have enough to power your whole home as well as sell some back to the grid. They might even pay back for them selves. Home affordable wind turbines such as Stealth Green D400 for about £2000 can cut on average about 1/5 of your bill. Depending how windy it is in your area. The QR5 generates enough power to power a whole house.
12. Get your home well insulated - proper insulation such as double glazing windows can reduce your need for heating and therefore save you money and be green.
Thank You
