Vol. 13 No. 1
Our Environment: WAYS to HELP SAVE OUR PLANET
Global warming is probably the greatest threat our earth has to face. Each of us
can have a positive impact on the production of greenhouse gasses. And if we act
together in the following minor ways, the cumulative effect will be dramatic. So
much of the way we live our lives is wasteful or thoughtless. It takes nothing to
switch off a lamp, unplug a phone charger, take a shorter shower, skip the pre-wash
cycle on the dishwasher, walk instead of drive. Some suggestions that follow involve
a little more effort: recycling, fixing leaky faucets and toilets, buying a fuel-efficient
car, insulating your home, purchasing only appliances and electronics with the
Energy Star certification.
Energy Star certified appliances and electronics: An Energy Star qualified
washing machine uses 50% less energy and could reduce your utility bill by $110
annually. Wash your clothes in cold water with organic enzyme-based cleaning
products, which do not pollute our groundwater.
Paint: Most paint is made from petrochemicals and its manufacturing process
creates 10 times its own weight in toxic waste. It also releases volatile organic
components (VOCS) that threaten our health. Best alternatives: natural paints
made from plant oils and almost 100% degradable.
Food: Food is traveling farther than ever. The average American meal contains
ingredients produced in five different countries. To reduce CO2 emissions from
trucks, airplanes and cargo ships, purchase foods that are in season, organic and
grown locally. Buy eggs in cardboard cartons; they are manufactured from recycled
paper and are again recyclable. Styrofoam or plastic cartons are not biodegradable
and their manufacturing produces harmful toxins.
Save water: Fix leaky faucets and toilets. A steady faucet drip can waste 20
gallons of water a day. A leaky toilet wastes up to 100 gallons per day. By leaving
the water running while you brush your teeth you waste 150 gallons of water per
month. Turn your thermometer down 1 degree and your heating costs will decrease
by 3%.
Avoid disposable goods: In our country alone, we throw away 2.5 billion
polystyrene cups every year, which wind up in landfills. Buy recycled or used
products and you will save virgin materials, conserve energy and reduce landfill
waste.
Avoid pesticides: Use natural methods of pest control. Use organic fertilizers.
You can save 6 gallons of water every minute of watering by attaching a trigger
nozzle to your garden hose, so that you use water only where it is needed.
Recycle your newspaper; There are 63 million newspapers printed each day in
the U.S. Of these, 44 million, or 63% will be thrown away. Recycling just the
Sunday paper would save more than half a million trees each week.
Buy a hybrid car: These cars drive 50 miles per gallon: a typical SUV travels
only 15 MPG.
The continued rise in carbon emissions is a matter of individual concern,
each of us can and should do something, however small,
to protect our Earth.
For environmentally friendly information, call 732-922-2935.
This newsletter is written by Ingrid Justick a member of Grow and Show Garden
Club and The Garden Club of Spring Lake.