The Love Shack

Russel Coker brought up an interesting meme about things to do for the environment. Seems like a good idea, so here we go:

Instructions

A. Copy the list below to your own journal and

Bold the actions you are already taking
Underline the actions you plan to start taking
Italicize the actions that don’t apply to you

B. Add one (or more) suggested action(s) of your own

C. Leave a comment here, so that the original author can track the meme to your journal and copy your suggested action(s) back to the master list.

Actions

1. Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs
2. Choose energy efficient appliances — I mostly buy newer appliances, but I have to admit I don’t usually check for enegry efficiency.
3. Wash clothes in cold(er) water
4. Turn the thermostat of your hot water tank down to 50°C (125°F) — Don’t have access to the hot water tank in my apartment.
5. Install a programmable thermostat (or turn the heat down over night and when you’re out of the house) — I sometimes forget to turn the heat on in the first place, does that count?
6. Register with the Canadian Marketing Association’s Do Not Contact Service to reduce the amount of junk mail delivered to your house.
7. Eat less meat (particularly feedlot beef) — I love beef. Though I’ve been contemplating the whole vegetarian thing for a long while now.
8. Walk, bike, carpool or take public transit as often as possible — I don’t even own a car, so CHECK!
9. Make sure you know what can be recycled in your area, and try to recycle as much household waste as possible
10. Compost using an outdoor compost bin or an indoor vermicomposter — 99% of my waste is just packaging. If it can be composted, I’ve already eaten it.
11. Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner — No access
12. Buy local, organic or fair trade food where possible
13. Reduce air travel — I only fly for >2000 mile trips usually
14. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket
15. Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible
16. Plant a tree
17. Buy fresh foods instead of frozen (Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce)
18. Keep your car tuned up and your tires inflated to their optimal pressure — I’ll one-up that one. I got rid of my car altogether.
19. Use biodegradable dishwashing liquid, laundry soap powder, etc. — For those who can get it, Seventh Generation makes a great line of products.
20. Drink tap water (filtered if necessary) rather than buying bottled water
21. Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth
22. Unplug seldom-used appliances and chargers for phones, cameras, etc., when you’re not using them — Only because I have too many cords and not enough plugs.
23. Plug air leaks and drafts around doors and windows with weatherstripping — Erm… we kind of leave the windows open year round so…
24. Switch from disposable to reusable products: food and beverage containers, cups, plates, writing pens, razors, diapers, towels, shopping bags, etc.
25. Consider garage sales, Freecycle, eBay, or borrowing from friends/family before buying a new tool or appliance — This one is the least likely to happen. I love my new stuff.
26. Reuse bathwater, maybe to flush the loo, water the garden, etc. — I don’t have a tub. (Stand-up shower only)
27. Make sure your roof is well-insulated — Maybe I should bold this one… I have 15 floors worth of insulation above me.
28. Always wear a jumper/sweater and socks indoors unless it’s warm enough outdoors to go without both — And slippers
29. Run your vehicle on biofuel/sustainable fuels — Anyone know of a biofuel conversion kit for a Yamaha R1?
30. Set up a grey water barrel to use when clean water isn’t necessary - grey water should never be stored. It contains chemicals that are used as food for bacteria. Put grey water on your garden immediately.
31. Install tanks to collect rain-water from your roof for watering the garden, washing your car, etc.
32. Turn off the light when you leave a room — Sometimes I get the feeling I’m the only one who was taught to do this growing up.
33. Sign up for paperless billing whenever possible