Mother Earth

Last night as I was getting ready to go to sleep I started thinking about the many things we could do to help the environment around us, in other words, making life easier, more productive and practical, so I made a list of what I’m already doing and working on. I thought I would share it with you and maybe all of us could pitch in together.

Light bulbs – I know a lot of people complain about the lighting fluorescent bulbs give off , I must admit they can be quite ugly, but if every household replaced one regular bulb with a fluorescent bulb, the pollution reduction would be equivalent to removing one million cars from the road. Just imagine that. We must remember that regular bulbs will soon become obsolete, so don’t you think it’s worth a try?

Computers – I got into the habit of turning off my computer at night. I have a surge protector and make sure it’s off; for many who leave it in sleep mode, you save 40 watt hours per day when you turn it off and when you start adding, it really does make a difference.  Every penny counts especially during these difficult economic times.

Rinsing - When you avoid rinsing your plates before using your dishwasher, you’re actually saving 20 gallons of water for each load, on top of that the time and energy used to heat water. I think it’s definitely worth it.

Oven – Don’t pre-heat your oven unless you’re baking; by doing this you’re not only saving energy but cost.

Recycling – If you didn’t already know, when you recycle glass it reduces air pollution by 20 percent and water by 50. If you don’t recycle, it can take a million years to decompose.  That’s an extremely long time and something we can’t risk. You may also include papers, plastic bags, wire hangers, aluminum and even old cell phones. I know what I’m talking about because I’ve done it.

Laundry -   When it comes to your clothes wash them in cold or warm water. If every household did this we could save enough energy that’s compared to 100,000 barrels of oil a day. Not to mention, your clothes would last longer.

Planting - It’s highly recommended we should plant a tree, not only is it beneficial for the air we breathe but also the land, it can shade your house and improve the value of your property.

Car – When driving your car, use your cruise control, you will be getting 15% better mileage which is a must for gasoline prices.  It will also help if we maintained our car by inflating the tires and cleaning out air filters. And free the trunk from extra pounds that are costing us money at the pump.

Donating - Many people get into the habit of throwing things away, but there are many organizations out there that can use what you may no longer need.  So before getting rid of it in the dumpster, pick up the phone or look online and give it away. Something that’s of no value to you may come in handy for an entire family.

Thermostat – Adjust your thermostat one degree higher in the summer and one degree cooler in the winter. By doing this you’re saving 10% on the energy you use, or you can buy a programmable thermostat and regulate your temperature when you’re at home or going out.

There are so many things we can do to beautify the earth and make our lives easier, these are just a few.  I hope all of us do our part to free ourselves from less anxiety and start enjoying the environment around us.