Be sure to watch the new six-part series titled "The National Parks - America's Best Idea" by acclaimed film maker Ken Burns. This program will be broadcast on your local Public Broadcasting station starting September 27. This project took over six years to film and promises to be spectacular.
For more information: http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Celebrate Arbor Day!
Arbor Day
Did you know that the simple act of planting a tree on your property can increase your home's value by 15% or more? Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree. What is Arbor Day? Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.
National Arbor Day was founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, is celebrated on the last Friday in April (Arbor Day Foundation).
This time of year when the deciduous trees are starting to sprout new life or bloom, we are inspired to lay aside our winter clothing and start thinking about spring and summer activities. Go for a walk and listen to the birds singing all around you. Where there are trees, there are birds and abundant life. April 24, 2009 is Arbor Day. Celebrate it by appreciating the glory of trees!
"Each generation takes the Earth as trustees. We ought to bequeath to posterity as many forests and orchards as we have exhausted and consumed."
- J. Sterling Morton
For more information about trees, visit Arborday.org
Did you know that the simple act of planting a tree on your property can increase your home's value by 15% or more? Celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree. What is Arbor Day? Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.
National Arbor Day was founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, is celebrated on the last Friday in April (Arbor Day Foundation).
This time of year when the deciduous trees are starting to sprout new life or bloom, we are inspired to lay aside our winter clothing and start thinking about spring and summer activities. Go for a walk and listen to the birds singing all around you. Where there are trees, there are birds and abundant life. April 24, 2009 is Arbor Day. Celebrate it by appreciating the glory of trees!
"Each generation takes the Earth as trustees. We ought to bequeath to posterity as many forests and orchards as we have exhausted and consumed."
- J. Sterling Morton
For more information about trees, visit Arborday.org
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Turn off your lights to support Earth Hour
On March 28, 2009 between 8:30-9:30pm, people everwhere across the globe will turn out their lights in an effort to draw attention Global Warming. The goal is for 1 Billion people to participate. Join with me at 8:30pm, wherever you are in the world - turn out your lights for 1 hour.
For more information, go to Earthhour.org
For more information, go to Earthhour.org
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Conserving water saves the planet and your wallet
Conserving water can save the planet and your wallet.
The more water we use the more energy it takes. Almost 20% of California's energy consumption is related to water use. Using water carefully saves us money and saves energy.
Some tips:
• Run the washers full!Make sure your clothes washer or dishwasher are full when you run them.
• Fix that leaky faucet! A toilet that keeps running can waste as much as two gallons of water per minute! And 100 drops per minute from the faucet can waste as much as 350 gallons of water per minute.
• Shut of the water while brushing. Or shaving. Letting the water run can waste hundreds of gallons of water per month.
• Use the automatic dishwasher: Dishwashing machines are actually more efficient that hand-washing.
• Take shorter showers and take showers instead of baths.
For more tips on saving water, visit Sierra Club Green Home: http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/go-green/water-fixtures-and-plumbing/water-conservation-advice/
Sources: The Sierra Club
The more water we use the more energy it takes. Almost 20% of California's energy consumption is related to water use. Using water carefully saves us money and saves energy.
Some tips:
• Run the washers full!Make sure your clothes washer or dishwasher are full when you run them.
• Fix that leaky faucet! A toilet that keeps running can waste as much as two gallons of water per minute! And 100 drops per minute from the faucet can waste as much as 350 gallons of water per minute.
• Shut of the water while brushing. Or shaving. Letting the water run can waste hundreds of gallons of water per month.
• Use the automatic dishwasher: Dishwashing machines are actually more efficient that hand-washing.
• Take shorter showers and take showers instead of baths.
For more tips on saving water, visit Sierra Club Green Home: http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/go-green/water-fixtures-and-plumbing/water-conservation-advice/
Sources: The Sierra Club
Saturday, February 21, 2009
CFL's need TLC
Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs need special handling!
If you are like me, you use several CFL throughout your home. They use up to 75 percent less energy that incandescent bulbs, last ten times longer, and are an effortless way to help the environment. But did you know that CFL bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury? The amount of mercury in each bulb is very small but there is still a risk of contamination to the environment if a large number of bulbs break while in landfills. Recycling your old CFL bulbs is the best approach. The metal, glass and mercury is broken down into powder and reused in other products.
What is a CFL bulb breaks? There are certain precautions that should be taken in handling the debris from a broken CFL bulb. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers the following instructions for dealing with broken CFL bulbs:
If a fluorescent bulb breaks on a hard surface:
• Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more
• Use disposable rubber gloves, if available. Do not touch the debris with bare hands. Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper/cardboard and place them in a sealed plastic bag.
• Wipe area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place in plastic bag. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb.
• Place all cleanup materials in a second sealed plastic bag. Place first bag in a second sealed plastic bag and bring to a local recycling location.
• Wash hands after disposing of bag.
If a fluorescent bulb breaks on a rug:
• Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner. Sticky tape (duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
• If vacuuming is still needed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag or vacuum debris in two sealed plastic bags in the trash for normal disposal.
Sources: Puget Sound Energy, PSE.com
If you are like me, you use several CFL throughout your home. They use up to 75 percent less energy that incandescent bulbs, last ten times longer, and are an effortless way to help the environment. But did you know that CFL bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury? The amount of mercury in each bulb is very small but there is still a risk of contamination to the environment if a large number of bulbs break while in landfills. Recycling your old CFL bulbs is the best approach. The metal, glass and mercury is broken down into powder and reused in other products.
What is a CFL bulb breaks? There are certain precautions that should be taken in handling the debris from a broken CFL bulb. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers the following instructions for dealing with broken CFL bulbs:
If a fluorescent bulb breaks on a hard surface:
• Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more
• Use disposable rubber gloves, if available. Do not touch the debris with bare hands. Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper/cardboard and place them in a sealed plastic bag.
• Wipe area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place in plastic bag. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb.
• Place all cleanup materials in a second sealed plastic bag. Place first bag in a second sealed plastic bag and bring to a local recycling location.
• Wash hands after disposing of bag.
If a fluorescent bulb breaks on a rug:
• Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner. Sticky tape (duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
• If vacuuming is still needed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag or vacuum debris in two sealed plastic bags in the trash for normal disposal.
Sources: Puget Sound Energy, PSE.com
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Simple Tips for Living Green
By Eleanor Sweetwood
Living Green. It is in the news every day, but what does living green really mean? Simply put, it means making responsible environmental choices about the way we live our lives. The products we purchase, the products we discard, even a small change can make a big difference. The best part is you don’t have stop shaving your legs or wearing Birkenstocks to really care about the planet. A few key changes can get you started and if we all make an effort with small changes, then collectively we can make a very big difference.
Simple tips for Living Green:
1. Spend wisely. Consumers exert tremendous influence through their purchasing power. Make a decision to purchase from environmentally responsible companies. To learn about the companies that are making a difference, conduct some research through the Internet, www.thegreenguide.com/products/ is a great resource to get you started. Buy products from companies that minimize their packaging or use biodegradable ingredients.
2. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Reduce the amount of products you purchase. Is it a need or a want? It is human nature to accumulate more stuff. Think twice before any purchase and ask yourself if you really need to buy it. Buy products in bulk if possible to reduce packaging. Reuse everyday products. Convert clothing into rags or donate to thrift shops. Shop for second hand items. Repair broken items. Recycle paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum cans (don’t forget aluminum foil). Set up separate containers right in your kitchen to make sorting easy. For a directory of your local recycling sources go to www.ourearth.org or www.earth911.com.
3. One step at a time. Make an effort each day but be consistent. Try not to take on too many green ideas at one time. You will become overwhelmed and stop trying at all. Try one thing until it becomes so automatic that you can’t remember when you didn’t do it. An example might be reusable shopping bags. Buy some reusable shopping bags and use them each time you shop. If you find yourself in the store having forgotten them, walk out of the store and get them out of your car. After using them to bring your groceries home, put them by the door so you can’t leave the house without remembering to take them with you again. If you start at trip to the store without the bags, turn around and go back home. Keep an extra set with you all the time. This is one way to make a commitment to do one thing until you have it fully ingrained into your routine. Then add another change. Yes, you are going to forget sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up or throw in the towel. Keep taking small steps toward a greener lifestyle. For some easy tips to get you started, try greenlivingtips.com.
Albert Einstein said,
“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.”
Every time you do one thing for the environment you are setting an example for others. People whether friends, family, or complete strangers will see you and want to follow your example. This is the most powerful step you can take in making a change for the better. Living a green lifestyle is easy with a few simple steps., you can do it now. You will feel better and so will the planet.
By Eleanor Sweetwood
Living Green. It is in the news every day, but what does living green really mean? Simply put, it means making responsible environmental choices about the way we live our lives. The products we purchase, the products we discard, even a small change can make a big difference. The best part is you don’t have stop shaving your legs or wearing Birkenstocks to really care about the planet. A few key changes can get you started and if we all make an effort with small changes, then collectively we can make a very big difference.
Simple tips for Living Green:
1. Spend wisely. Consumers exert tremendous influence through their purchasing power. Make a decision to purchase from environmentally responsible companies. To learn about the companies that are making a difference, conduct some research through the Internet, www.thegreenguide.com/products/ is a great resource to get you started. Buy products from companies that minimize their packaging or use biodegradable ingredients.
2. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Reduce the amount of products you purchase. Is it a need or a want? It is human nature to accumulate more stuff. Think twice before any purchase and ask yourself if you really need to buy it. Buy products in bulk if possible to reduce packaging. Reuse everyday products. Convert clothing into rags or donate to thrift shops. Shop for second hand items. Repair broken items. Recycle paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum cans (don’t forget aluminum foil). Set up separate containers right in your kitchen to make sorting easy. For a directory of your local recycling sources go to www.ourearth.org or www.earth911.com.
3. One step at a time. Make an effort each day but be consistent. Try not to take on too many green ideas at one time. You will become overwhelmed and stop trying at all. Try one thing until it becomes so automatic that you can’t remember when you didn’t do it. An example might be reusable shopping bags. Buy some reusable shopping bags and use them each time you shop. If you find yourself in the store having forgotten them, walk out of the store and get them out of your car. After using them to bring your groceries home, put them by the door so you can’t leave the house without remembering to take them with you again. If you start at trip to the store without the bags, turn around and go back home. Keep an extra set with you all the time. This is one way to make a commitment to do one thing until you have it fully ingrained into your routine. Then add another change. Yes, you are going to forget sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up or throw in the towel. Keep taking small steps toward a greener lifestyle. For some easy tips to get you started, try greenlivingtips.com.
Albert Einstein said,
“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.”
Every time you do one thing for the environment you are setting an example for others. People whether friends, family, or complete strangers will see you and want to follow your example. This is the most powerful step you can take in making a change for the better. Living a green lifestyle is easy with a few simple steps., you can do it now. You will feel better and so will the planet.
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