Going Green
We can all start where we are today and work toward lowering our carbon footprint. Our children and grandchildren deserve it.
I worry about the huge foot print we are leaving on this earth for future generations to deal with, and I’m sure others are just as concerned as I am. Being in the middle of a drought has made me even more aware. I feel that I save all the water I possibly can but then I read about these poor people who have to walk for miles through hostile deserts for a gallon of water to quench their children’s thirst and I know I can do better. We save water by taking short showers; I wash my pots in about a gallon of water and give them a quick rinse. I wash all my counters, and stove in this same water then I pour the water on my ivy vines. I do about 4 loads of laundry a week, and I dip out buckets of my rinse water to mop my kitchen, bathroom and deck floors. I do probably three loads of dishes a week. I imagine we use a tenth the water of an average family.
I unplug the toaster, mixer, and coffee maker until I use them. I don’t unplug the microwave because I have to slide it half-way off the counter to do that. I never use a hair dryer. We turn off lights when we leave the room. We bunch up our errands and do everything at one time. The computer, TV. radio and all lamps remain plugged in because they are too troublesome to plug and unplug all day. I do keep the computer turned off until I use it.
I reuse my plastic bags for trash and garbage, and carry them to stores that will let me reuse them, such as Aldis. I buy things with as little packaging as I can. I use dish cloths, cloth napkins, and sponges which all have to be washed thereby using energy, and I also use paper napkins and paper towels .I can’t decide which is worse for the environment.
I buy most of our household goods, furniture, and clothing at Thrift stores, making use of products already taken from our natural resources. I think we do a pretty good job of conserving energy and natural resources but I have found a website that asks you questions and according to your answers can pinpoint just how well you are doing and suggests ways to do better. I haven’t been there yet but I will do that right now and let you know how well we are really doing.
I am surprised at how well I came out but I can still do a lot better. I have been talking to our management about getting recycling for glass and cans. We only recycle newspaper at this time. This website says number 417 is below average and my number was 2.75 so I am happy. In fact I am more than happy. I hope you will all check it out and see what your number is. Then we can go forward from there and work toward leaving a better, cleaner world to our children and grandchildren.
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16 Responses to “Going Green”
On May 17, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I’m going to check out this site and hopefully it will give me a few tips. Thanks!
On May 18, 2008 at 6:06 am
Thank you for the information, Ruby. I am going to check out this website.
On May 18, 2008 at 9:45 am
Great article Ruby, sounds like you sure are doing your part daily!
On May 18, 2008 at 4:10 pm
We need more people and more invaluable reminders like your article to make this world a better place.
Blessings & best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
On May 18, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I like this article so much, I am going to put a link to it on my blog “Make the Most of Your Time” under the category “Socially Conscious”.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
On May 18, 2008 at 8:46 pm
You set a good example for the rest of us, Ruby. I am off to check out the website.
On May 19, 2008 at 4:41 am
You are doing great! If we all do a little bit, especially in the recycling department, it will help.
On May 19, 2008 at 5:35 am
another great article Ruby,
thanks
On May 19, 2008 at 6:10 am
I am really impressed with your conscientiousness, and a little ashamed that I don’t make as much effort to save this planet for the posterity. I will definitely try to improve.
On May 19, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Thank all you good people so much for your interest and your comments.We all take so much for granted. We forget sometimes how much we have and how wasteful we are. Thank goodness we are waking up at last. Maybe it is not too late. All of you take care.
Thank you Lianne for adding it to your Blog and spreading the word around.
On May 20, 2008 at 8:32 am
Ruby, five stars for you to do your very best to go green…I am doing some of the things you are doing.
On May 20, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I never though of it being ‘going green’ but I live as natural as I can. I grow my own vegetables and beef. I gather my dead wood to heat my house and I guess I am greener than most people. I will try to do more though.
On May 21, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I love how you are trying so hard Ruby. I try but I don’t do as well as you. I will try harder. I want my children and grandchildren to have a world worth living in.
On May 29, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I like this article because it is very informative.
God Bless You Ruby!
On June 7, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Thank you for your green article. I use my dogs dirty drinking water to water my plants. I hang my laundry outside. Check out my article Mother Nature’s Dryer. It is for mid-grade children and teaches a simple way to go green. I also do a lot of things that you talk about. I have three granddaughers and I want them to have a green world to live in. We should all try and do our part.
On June 25, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I agree we should all do our bit and more. the most we can do is too little.
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