June 5th - World Environment Day

Today is the United NAtions World Environment Day. The United Nations started World Environment Day. Their site has a nice list of things you can/should do. Just for the heck of it, I went down the list to see what I've changed in my life. Looks like I've already incorported most things, but need to do just a bit more, including planting a tree for their Billion Tree campaign.

Taken from http://www.unep.org/wed/2009/english/content/tips.asp

IN GENERAL:

• Plant a tree! Help achieve UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign target of planting seven billion trees – one for every person on the planet – by the end of this year! Three billion are planted. Five billion are pledged. On every continent in the world trees can be planted in June, so start your efforts on WED.  WILL DO WHEN I GET BACK HOME.
• Find needy homes or charitable organizations for things that you no longer need or want rather than throwing it away. HAVE SEVERAL, HAVE DONATED.

DAILY ROUTINE:

AT HOME…

• It would seem to go without saying, but many of us forget that we can save water in simple ways like not letting the tap run while shaving, washing your face, or brushing your teeth. DONE
• Insulating your water heater will help save valuable energy, and you can go the extra mile by installing showerheads with a low flow in your bathrooms for bathing purposes to help save water. You can also put a timer on your heaters to save power. DONE
• Using an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors goes a long way to cutting back on waste. And plant a tree. DEBATING THE ELECTRIC VERSION - I wonder what the the Life Cycle Assessment would be.
• Use towels for drying your face and hands instead of tissues that are used and thrown away. Also, hang your towels to dry so that they can be reused several times. You are after all clean when you use them! DONE
• Juice or yogurt lovers can do their bit by buying juice in concentrates and yogurt in reusable containers instead of single serving packages. DONE
• Many of us like to leaf through the paper as we munch on breakfast, but consider reading the dailies in communal spaces like the office or coffee shops. However, if you prefer to have your own copy, make sure you recycle! READ EVERYTHING ONLINE
• When packing your lunch, opt for reusable containers for food storage instead of wrapping the food with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. DONE
• As you leave the house, don’t forget to switch off all the lights and appliances at the wall unit (if you have this feature) and unplug chargers as they continue to consume even if they are not charging; saving energy helps reduce air pollution. GOOD ON LIGHTS, NEED IMPROVEMENT ON CHARGERS.

GETTING TO WORK:

• Don’t go anywhere without your cloth bag so you can just say no to plastic whenever you shop. USE CLOTH BAGS AND MY BAG BINERS to CLICK THEM TO THE CART.
• Radical as it may seem, in today’s “the easier the better” society, the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is by avoiding driving altogether. Power down and Instead try biking, walking, carpooling, public transport or an occasional telecommute. I WORK FROM HOME
• If you have no other choice than to drive to work, look for the most fuel- efficient car model for your next purchase and keep your tyres inflated to the correct pressure. BOUGHT A 38 MPG HONDA CIVIC and a bike.

• If you’re one of the lucky few blessed with clear stretches of road on your way to work, use cruise control, as it saves fuel and also helps you maintain a constant speed. LOVE to CRUISE
• If you’re among the majority of drivers who spend their mornings stuck in traffic, consider turning your engine off if you will be idling for long periods of time. And plant a tree. I'll plant the tree.
• For those who suffer from road rage, remember that aggressive driving lowers your mileage, so if you want to save on fuel and save the planet while you’re at it, accelerate gradually-- something to keep that in mind the next time that bad driver cuts you off! Just count to 10 and say the planet needs me!HAVE TO WORK ON THAT ONE..

AT WORK:

• Do you have a morning hot drink routine? Using a washable mug is an environmentally-friendly alternative to non-biodegradable styrofoam or plastic cups. YES TO REAL CUPS
• Leave a cup and reusable bottle for water at work to eliminate buying drinks, which get served in plastic cups, or bottled water. 80% of plastic bottles are recyclable but only 20% are actually recycled. I TAKE ONE WITH ME
• When you need a pad for lists and messages, turn over an old document and write on the back of that instead. I'll ADD IT TO MY CELL PHONE INSTEAD.
• If there isn’t an office recycling system, start one yourself! Recycling our trash actually contributes to reducing global warming emissions. And it is estimated that 75% of what is thrown in the trash could actually be recycled, though currently only 25% is. My CONDO COMPLEX DOESN'T RECYCLE. THIS IS THE DOWNSIDE OF OC.
• When you must have a paper copy, make sure you default your printer option to use both sides. This is an easy tree-saver! MY NEW COPIER WILL DO THAT, YEA!
• Most computer accessories like ink cartridges and CDs and DVDs are made of materials that could be reused. Computer cords and speakers are fairly standardized, meaning they can be used for a variety of computer models and makes. SWITCHED TO MAC, LESS IS MORE.
• Lower your office’s carbon footprint by seeing computers, monitors, printers, copiers, speakers and other business equipment to their energy saving feature and turning them off at the end of the day. And plant a tree! OK, I GET THE HINT.
• Turning off all unnecessary lights, especially in unused offices and conference rooms is an easy way to save energy. DONE
• If you’re in search of something to personalize your workspace, look no further than the humble houseplant. Houseplants are good for the environment because they remove quantities of pollutants present in the air. GOOD IDEA

AFTER A LONG DAY:

• In the summer/warmer months, consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air-conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home. While you’re at it, in winter, lower your thermostat and put on a jumper. In summer, increase it and wear lighter clothes, you will also save money! RARELY USE AC OR HEAT
• Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat as it senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air-conditioner to run longer than necessary. DUHH, NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT.
• When cooking dinner, match the size of the pan to the size of the heating element to lower energy wastage. DONE
• When you are feeling at your laziest, don’t throw clean clothes in the hamper to avoid hanging them up! Wear jeans more than once… Wearing them more than once is my lazy way already.
• When you wash, use only eco-friendly products in your home. It’s best for you and the environment! And did we mention plant a tree! DONE and YES, I'll PLANT A TREE!

Comments

[Lynn from Organicmania.com]

Wow! Mary, that's quite a list! I love to see what you've done, will do, think about it....looks like you have a good start on the eco-confessions post too! Kind of two-in-one!

[Kelly Coyle DiNorcia]

This is a great list - thanks for some thought-provoking ways to make a difference!

[Solihull Cosmetic Dentistry]

Its the effective event to make people aware to make the earth and environment green.

[ShamWow]

Good job. Some of those things are easy to do and do not take much additional effort to help the environment. If you just keep a few absorbent, reusable towels around your house, there is no need for paper towels. Reusable towels last for a long time and can be washed if they are ever dirty.

[Cheshire dentists]

A simple way to make a small effort to go green every year on this day.

[cosmetic dentist]

great info thanks a lot

[Acne]

Everyone should get motivation from this world's environment day. We should plant more and more tree and encourage others to do this. Instead we should also take steps to save water. Because water is the most important thing for growing of trees.

[whiten teeth]

Every one should follow the above given points to make the evironment safe.

[Teeth Whitening]

Yeah I liked these points to keep the environment clean and clear....I am surely going to keep all these points in my mind...

[Cellulite]

It's a great move of planting trees. Go ahead........

[Cellulite]

I think from this day atleast everybody should start thinking about environment and should take atleast one step towards the welfare of environment.

[Colon Cleanse]

Very impressive! I like the people as you are. I have also imbibed this quality.

[Dentist in Birmingham]

Would love to talk about the amount of effort its been made these days.. to save this planet

[Invisalign Birmingham]

its time for everybody to contribute for the environment.

[Dental implants Birmingham]

A classic example of being thought is self learning. I have been working with blogs and as well as reading them. Some of them are really bad and some are good like this one.. thanks.

[Invisalign]

Thanks for all the great advice. We can all do our part to help the environment.

-Daniel