Is anyone else worried about the environment?

hopefull

hopefull

Cathlete
There has been a lot in the media lately about global warming. I've recycled hit and miss, but have made a commitment to do a much better job. Changed out all the lights in the house to low wattage bulbs, and am looking for more to do. Did you know you can make an impact in carbon dioxide outputs simply by unplugging your computer, or flipping the switch on the surge protector when you turn it off? Seems that they don't completely turn off,there is a quick turn on mode in all of them that uses a little bit of electricity all the time. TV's are the same way. Whether it's all hype or not, I just can't see what it would hurt to be a better steward of the planet. If we all did a little, it would add up to a lot! Just my wonderings on the issue.
 
I read an interesting article about compact flourescent bulbs (which I had switched most of my fixtures over to). The can last up to ten years, they are low wattage. BUT the have mercury in them. A concern of late is that in the next ten years people will start throwing the bulbs away and our groundwater will get poisened
 
I am worried as well and I try to do my part. When I eat at a fast food restaurant, instead of getting the food in a Styrofoam box, I carry my own container. I also switched to fluorescent bulbs. I didn't know that turning off the computer and TV could help with carbon dioxide output and I will now do that. I am greatful for this information. Thanx.
 
We have switched over to flourescent, partly because the cost of electricity has sky rocketed in our state. We just replaced 9 windows in our house to triple paned replacement windows. I wish I could bicycle to work, but live too far away. No bus service either.

I watched the Gingrich/Kerry debate on Foxnews website the other day. It was very interesting. Gingrich advocated reading Kerry's book. Part of the problem is, it is not just us. Other countries with large populations such as China and India must get on board as well. This is difficult, because there is an economic cost. The debate was not IF we should change, but HOW to change, and how quickly it should happen.

Also, apparently Europe and Japan are way ahead of us in this concern.
 
Then the goverment sets off as nuclear bomb just to see how powerful it is and does more damage in a day than we could do in 50 yrs...
I really feel big corporations and goverments and theier sshhh. nuclear testings cause more damage than we do. I will do my part, but what else can you do ?
I am all energy effiecient.I have been using compact flourescents at work in even my globe lights for 5 yrs..
 
It is worrisome. On the positive side more and more people are coming to understand that little changes really do add up to a huge collective difference. I am cautiously encouraged by this. My Dad set a great example from as far back as I can remember. In our garage, there were always ever growing bundles of cardboard and newspapers and boxes heaped with empty cans for recycling, this is almost 40 years ago! We always composted too, fantastic stuff for the garden.

Here in Ontario we have to take our cars for emmissions testing every 2 years. I just did mine this week, I had to do a few minor repairs to the exhaust system to pass the test. Nice knowing that when I do drive my car it's not spewing an unnecessary amount of crap into the atmosphere.

Take Care
Laurie :)
 
Yes, like you, I have recycled cans, but not much else. Lately I've stepped it up and am surprised how much less my garbage is. I live in a rural area and don't have pick up. I need to get a better system, because currently all the recycling is stacked up in our laundry room.:eek: I also switched to less toxic cleaners after reading a thread here awhile back.

The one thing I can't do is less driving. My dh and I tear up the roads and I don't seem to have any other option.

I've been reading up on it more lately as well. Here's an interesting site: http://www.treehugger.com/gogreen.php

Marnie:)
 
I use to think about global warming as bunk, but the truth is it is about being efficient with the resources we have. I lived in western Kansas for 3 years and watched the parts for wind turbines go by on interstate 70 everyday, and when we moved last August you wouldn't believe how many went by in a day. Renewable energy, how smart. There is nothing but wind in western Kansas!
I think another way to promote recycling is by teaching the kids. We got recycing blue bins at Lowes, took them home told the kids what went where, and now the kids fight over who recycles what, and who gets to see what number is on the bottom of the plastic to put it in the right bin, and heaven forbid you throw something away that could be put in a bin.
Just my 2 cents.
 
Of course - I think most people are concerned. You'd be foolish or selfish to not be. We recycle, are in the process of replacing our light bulbs (as one burns out...I buy the energy efficient to replace). I've bought a bunch of cloth, reusable shopping bags for grocery shopping - which, by the way, are WAY better than the paper or plastic ones. So much easier to handle and hold more.
 
Yes, I'm very concerned about the environment. That's one of the reasons I became a vegetarian, producing meat is a contributer to many of the ills that affect the environment.

Reuseable grocery bags are a good idea -- I need to use them more often. I do use plastic bags as trash liners, but I think I would be better off to use the cloth.

As far as flourescent lights, the companies that produce them include instructions on sending the used light bulbs back to them. They can reused the mercury so that it doesn't hit the land fills.

Thanks for this thread -- I welcome more ideas for going 'green.' I know we can't all do everything, but I do think all the little things add up.
 
Worried? No. do I think we should be good stewards, as you mentioned? Absolutely. We have ALWAYS turned off lights when not using, turn our heat off at night (and we live in WI, so that is no small thing;-) , try to do all of our errands at once, etc. The thing that really irritates me is the hypocrisy of those who tell us to conserve and they don't do their part.
 
"Al Gore" worried, not even close..... I do my part, put my trash in the trash can. For hundreds of years the earth has been going in cycle, warm and cold. Mr. Gore (chicken little) the sky is not falling.... :+
 
The world is too friggin' overpopulated. We are demanding too much on the planet.

The two things that humans are best at is making more humans and making more trash.


Susan L.G.
 
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