Living an environmentally friendly life ... is it possible? (a rant)

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Originally Posted by smokey the elder

What Blue Frog did was a type of cradle-to-grave analysis. These are two-edged tools. You need a lot of information to do these, and can get discouraged if you don't know all the inputs and outputs. Bottom line: do the best you can. I personally like the idea of planting more trees and having gardens on roofs. The tree is one of the most efficient CO2 sinks there is!

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Pretty much -- i've been too tied up in Product Development lately, and seeing how those principles tie into other things around us (like the environment). My company has been working towards more environmentally friendly products (recycled and biodegradable packaging, better production methods, etc.), however there is still a ways to go.

Just because something isn't perfect, it doesn't mean you give up. It means that you work harder to make it better, constant improvement. And the environment is the same on a much broader scale. Like, using Lady's Human light example ---

1. Right now? Incandescent bulbs.
2. The Improvement? Compact Flourescent, which still have problems for recycling, etc.
3. The Improvement? Lady's Human light example of LED and LED Film lighting (Light Emitting Diodes, look at the little green light on your PC tower, thats an LED) ... better.
4. The Improvement? ...

And so on -- There may not be perfection, but theres always 'Better' and 'Improving' :)

Acording to my foot print, we will need 3.3 planets......and I actually thought I was doing pretty good, I walk alot of places , ride my bike, plant gardens etc.

Sigh. I guess I will blame the dogs for the extra methane. ;)

I try to do my part. Maybe my part is less than someone else's, maybe it is more. I recycle, and am going to begin composting, again. I had some complaints from one neighbor about it, and let it influence my decision. I have also made a pact with myself to go without my dryer this warm season time. I buy organic for somethings, do go to farmer's markets, reuse, reuse, reuse, and conserve. I only wash in cold, I keep my thermostat at 60(now that Jonah is old enough to keep covers on at night), and won't turn on ANY air until June (let's see if I make that one). We take bike trips/stroller when we can, combine trips, plant a garden, and practice greener practices, in general.

I have found that going green is usually more cost efficient (with the exception of buying organic, but, since I don't eat meat- it kind of evens out) to the user.

I try...and I know there is so much more I could be doing. We use the "new" light bulbs, I walk on many of my errands, we recycle (there is more in our recycle bin than in the refuse bin) and I avoid bags. If I go shopping and get one bag, any other purchases I make go in the same bag. If it is a small item I ask if I can put it with the reciept in my purse.

I do not turn the heat or a/c but one or two days a year. Yes, that is easy in California, but my house gets down to 57 in the winter. I put on another sweater and the E's grow really thick coats.

Plastic water bottles concern me. I use a reuseable bottle for the gym.

Last week there was a big discussion about a silly suggestion made by a silly rock star. However, an important point was missed. Trees are renewable...albeit rather long cycle renewable, but paper processing -- even of recycled paper -- consumes a TREMENDOUS amount of energy and water. Raw materials are only one part of the equation in conserving. I have always like paper plates for parties and picnics. I have decided when my supply is depleted I'll give it up.

Does anybody have links to environmental clubs? I tried to get involved in one, but it was more like an outdoors camp event. I'd like to try again but am having difficulty in finding a suitable club. I figure since "doing what we can" is so miniscule, I might as well aim higher and join a larger organization.

My mom's family re-uses plastic ware (eating utensils and plates) for common get togethers. When i brought the idea up with S.O.'s family (asked if the washed them or threw them away, when i was finished eating) they looked at me as if i was the most disgusting thing on the face of the planet. It's washed, it's clean, it's re-usable. His family even throws away birthday candles!!! I never knew any family that threw away once used birthday candles. (Sorry... this started out as just being a suggestion, but turned into my ranting stemming from me being ticked at how PROUD they are to not re-use anything.)

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Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary

I try...and I know there is so much more I could be doing. We use the "new" light bulbs, I walk on many of my errands, we recycle (there is more in our recycle bin than in the refuse bin) and I avoid bags. If I go shopping and get one bag, any other purchases I make go in the same bag. If it is a small item I ask if I can put it with the reciept in my purse.

I do not turn the heat or a/c but one or two days a year. Yes, that is easy in California, but my house gets down to 57 in the winter. I put on another sweater and the E's grow really thick coats.

Plastic water bottles concern me. I use a reuseable bottle for the gym.

Last week there was a big discussion about a silly suggestion made by a silly rock star. However, an important point was missed. Trees are renewable...albeit rather long cycle renewable, but paper processing -- even of recycled paper -- consumes a TREMENDOUS amount of energy and water. Raw materials are only one part of the equation in conserving. I have always like paper plates for parties and picnics. I have decided when my supply is depleted I'll give it up.

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Sorry, i JUST found out that we have one here in my area, but it's pretty much only focused on improving out general area of the state (though they are concerned for the whole world.) I don't think a regional MI group is going to be much help to you out in CA. ;)

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Originally Posted by Giselle

Does anybody have links to environmental clubs?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Giselle

Does anybody have links to environmental clubs? I tried to get involved in one, but it was more like an outdoors camp event. I'd like to try again but am having difficulty in finding a suitable club. I figure since "doing what we can" is so miniscule, I might as well aim higher and join a larger organization.

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Maybe these might help?

http://www.hcn.org/links/links_rerg.jsp

http://www.webdirectory.com/General_...es/California/

Or if not, maybe someone from these links in your area could point you in the right direction? Or contacting a local college with any Environmental programs might have contacts too? Hopefully thats helpful :)