More Thoughts and Your Thoughts
This space is reserved for philosophical notions, questions, quotes and ideas that come from visitors to this website (like you):
- July 2008
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What to do? “Every resource we save is an investment in the future”
(Apologies for those you’ve seen before and for those that are missing) - Fix any water and natural gas leaks
- Install on-off switch/valve on shower head and use less water.
- Use reusable cloth in place of tissues, napkins, paper towels and grocery bags.
- Replace all remaining incandescent bulbs with CFLs or LEDs
- Wash full loads of laundry and rinse with cold water.
- Lower hot water heater temperature to 115°. Switch to an ON Demand heater if possible.
- Install low water use toilets, and apply Canadian Toilet Rules: “If it’s yellow let it mellow…”
- Minimize the use of all pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers
- Plant trees, garden and compost if you can. Harvest Dandelions
- Reduce consumption of livestock products. – Saves energy, water and reduces public health issues.
- Eliminate non-essential driving and use the most efficient car that fits your needs. (A Hybrid if possible)
- Differentiate between Wants and Needs.
- When your car’s engine is running and you’re not moving, you’re getting zero mpg. Turn off engine for trains, long lights, waiting, etc…
- Keep tire pressure at maximum specified on tires.
- Reduce the use of disposable products. And dispose of electronics, batteries, paints and toxins properly. (Check the internet for resources)
- Phase out plastic bottled water in favor of reusable glass (or other non-toxic containers)
- Make wise thermostat choices: above 74o in the summer and below 66o in the winter. (Timer programmable thermostats)
- Upgrade attic ventilation/ insulation system: Code is 1 square foot of intake and rooftop ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space. This can greatly improve energy efficiency and, possibly, facilitate a whole house fan.
- If possible, switch to a motor-less lawn mower for small lawns.
- Encourage and support Local Organic Farming / Co-ops.
- Try to influence schools, churches and municipalities to escalate their conservation, recycling and organic practices.
- Make better use of passive solar energy (active as well). When and where possible apply geothermal and wind power.
- Support all intelligent resource management programs
- For reputable information try C-Span, NPR and PBS, the BBC, independent media sources such as Free Speech TV, and independent news papers.
- Important environmental books, videos and intellectual resources: “Who Killed the Electric Car,” “An Inconvenient Truth,” Lester Brown’s Plan B 3.0, architect William McDonough.
Peace through intelligence and application and the coming together of all religious denominations.
- June 14, 2006
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I think it is important for each of us to define “intelligence” in our own words.
With regards to global issues, I would define Intelligent as: Something that aids in the ability of a species to survive into the future.
Unintelligent: Something that threatens the survival of the species.
If you could be GOD for a day, would you save the World? What does Saving the World mean to you?
- August 20, 2006
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Ten simple things we can do now that save money and conserve resources:
- Change all your light bulbs to high efficiency - long life fluorescents
- Fix any water leaks and natural gas leaks
- Keep vehicle tires at the proper pressure
- Drive less, and in the most fuel efficient vehicle (that suits your needs)
- Re-use grocery bags
- Plant trees (unfortunately not Ash or American Elm trees)
- Compost (if you can)
- Minimize the use of chemicals for pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers
- Canadian toilet rules: "If it's yellow let it mellow…"
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle