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

[Catty1]

Well, on one thing - the fluorescent bulbs - I have replaced almost all the bulbs in my condo with them. Have yet to have one burn out. There's an old circular one in my storage closet that is about 10 yrs old - I turn the switch, it thinks about it, and then flickers on! It hasn't been on constantly all those years - but has travelled everywhere with me.

My newer ones from GE - turn on right away, and have a nice soft glow to them, not that icy blue or winter-yuck yellow.

Disposal? Hey, fire departments and municipalities have hazardous waste collections once or twice a year. Just add the bulbs.

I think part of the goal is to have what is now called a 'negative footprint' - don't hurt the earth at a faster rate than it can heal. Mother Nature is amazing when given half a chance!

[Karen]

I took the "eco footprint" test, and found it odd and extremely limiting. It asks you things like what city is your weather like, and the closest to me was NYC, but we're colder and further North.

It asks how big one's house is, but doesn't ask if your house is insulated.
It doesn't ask what kind of heating system you use.
It doesn't ask whether you use air conditioning in the summer, etc., etc.
It doesn't ask what temperature you set the house to in colder months.
It doesn't ask about how many major appliances or computers you own/run daily.
It doesn't ask if you recycle anything, or how much you recycle, or what you recycle.
It doesn't ask how big your lawn is and if you have to water it, and how many months of the year.
It doesn't ask if you compost.
It asks if you have more or less waste than your neighbors - well, that doesn't prove anything. We, for example, are two people, the neighbors are 7 (parents and 5 kids), so ...

It doesn't take many, many things into account, so I don't give it any credibility, sadly.

[Blue_Frog]

I took the "eco footprint" test, and found it odd and extremely limiting. It asks you things like what city is your weather like, and the closest to me was NYC, but we're colder and further North.
...
It doesn't take many, many things into account, so I don't give it any credibility, sadly.

I did a look around, and found what appears to be more comprehensive footprint tests for anyone interested -- they take about 10 mins to complete, and cover different things like home, retail, business, etc -- it's australian, but it prolly still applies

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecological...rs/default.asp

Also, theres an entire organization dedicated to that as well ...

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/

[Lady's Human]

A large factor in the life expectancy of the CF bulbs is the purity of the local power grid.

If you're in an urban area with relatively new power distribution systems, they last longer. However, if you're out in the middle of nowhere, with a power grid that was last updated more than 30 years ago, you're screwed.

[Catty1]

Karen, the term "negative footprint" is one I have heard used, such as an interview with a company whose goal it was to have that in 10 years, for example.

I am sure there are some 'eco-footprint' quizzes around, most of dubious quality.

There was a great eco-questionnaire from the Gov't of Canada, until Mr Harper cut almost ALL funding to the initiative.

I'll see what I can find...