How to Give Your Kids a Green Education
Posted by sozmore on Nov 10, 2009
Growing up with parents that were children of the depression, I heard a lot of energy saving techniques. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that most of them were ways that I could contribute to saving the environment. When I was young I didn’t understand why all those things were important. When I began paying my own bills it made some difference, but now even when I could afford higher electric bills, I understand that there is something far more important at stake. It is important to teach our children now the importance of helping to save the earth and protect the environment. They can be involved in this by helping to reduce the family carbon footprint, saving energy and money at the same time. Here are some tips to help educate your children and make them part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Expose your children to the beauty of nature. You can do this regardless of where you live.
- spend time outdoors
- learn to identify types of plants and trees
- learn about endangered animals
- watch television shows about the environment
- keep picture books around the house appropriate to the age of your children
Do activities together that will help the environment. Start including them in these activities when they are young and still think it’s fun to “work” with mom and dad.
- wash the car by hand (a little water fight never hurt anybody)
- hang out your clothes (with a little game of hide and seek behind the sheets)
- rake leaves (be sure to allow time for a little jumping in the pile)
- plant a garden (most young children like to play in the dirt)
- For older kids teach them the value of the money they save by saving energy. Let them see your electric bills and explain how saving energy saves money. If you pay them for chores reward them for their part in the savings.
Reward children for creative thinking. Encourage them to look for ways they can reduce, reuse, and recycle, or for ways to save water and energy. Be sure to congratulate them when they do and put their ideas into practice. For young kids most parents put a stool by the sink so that they can wash their hands by themselves. Put a stool under the light switch in their room as well so that they can reach to turn off the lights. Make a game of it and congratulate them when they can stretch to reach the switch.
Use educational materials to help them understand why you do things the way you do. Don’t let them be just things that mom and dad insist on. Teach them the value of helping to preserve the environment. Check out the following website for ideas:
http://www.kidsforsavingearth.org/ Has music, resources, worksheets, even a petition to get adults to commit to save the earth.
http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/childrenresources.htm Includes websites and resources including coloring books.
http://www.epa.gov/kids/ A site just for kids to learn about the environment
Above all lead by example. In the long run, your children will be a lot more like you than you may think. If they develop responsible habits as children, they will maintain them as young adults. Last but not least make it fun! Preserving our earth is very serious business, but for children it can be about pleasure. Keeping the earth beautiful, with clean air and water, plenty of trees and plants and animals, is something that we can all take pleasure in.
Climate Change – Remember the Bigger Picture
Posted by sozmore on Oct 15, 2009
During an economic downturn it is very easy to become absorbed in your own problems and struggles. Even in this blog my focus lately has been on going green and saving money on an individual level. But today I want to step back and try to get a bigger picture.
Our world is in jeopardy! Our climate is warming at an alarming rate. One or two degrees may not seem like a lot, but it can have disasterous consequences for plant and animal life as well as people. This will include but not be limited to the following:
- increased coastal flooding
- contamination of coastal fresh water sources by salt water changing the ecosystems and causing food shortages for those people dependent on these areas
- increased soil erosion
- increased intensity of tropical storms
- extinction of plant and animal species
- changes in migratory patterns of animals
- drought and resulting famine in third world areas
- loss of access to fresh water in heavily populated coastal regions
- loss of homes and even entire countries in the island nations of the south pacific region
(see Climate Change Reference Guide http://www.worldwatch.org)
No area of the world will be left untouched. Governments and non-governmental organizations have determined that 2 degrees Celcius (3.6 degrees F) is the maximum change that can happen if we are to avoid severe consequences. We are already at 0.8 degrees Celcius with serious effects being felt in the South Pacific nations see http://www.sidsnet.org/aosis/issues.html.
Two great ways to get involved and to do your part for the bigger picture
Both of the following websites give you great information that you can depend on to be accurate as well as ways to get involved.
Join the World Wildlife Fund in urging our congress men and women to support the Climate Change Bill: http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/act-for-our-future/
You can support change in many different ways through the website http://www.change.org.
Please take action. One signature, phone call, or blog post may not mean much on its own, but many together are powerful.
Check out the World Wildlife Fund Act For Our Future.
Going Green – Lessons from the Depression
Posted by sozmore on Oct 12, 2009
Lately, as I have been doing more and more research about the environment and going green, I have heard my mother’s voice in my head over and over again. “Turn off the lights.” “Put on a sweater and turn down the heat.” “Keep the door closed.” “Don’t stand there with the door open (about the refrigerator).” She was thinking about saving money, but the same instructions can apply to saving energy and the environment.
My parents were both born immediately following the depression. A lot of the energy saving techniques that they insisted on while we were growing up seemed silly to me at the time, but now they make perfect sense. The methods they used to save money also save energy and help us reduce our carbon footprint.
You may already be doing some of these money saving things, or you may not have to worry about saving money. If not, think about saving the planet. The amount of carbon emissions that we, particularly Americans, are putting into our atmosphere is harming our planet and contributing to global warming.
If you are newly aware of the danger to our planet, or are a new homeowner that needs to save money, try the following tips to help reduce your budget and carbon footprint at the same time.
- Turn off the lights when you leave the room, even for a few minutes.
- Turn down the heat in rooms you are not using.
- If you have central heat, put on a sweater and reduce the thermostat by one or two degrees, even one degree will save you money. Raise it in the summer to save on air conditioning costs.
- Use the sun to heat whenever possible by opening drapes during the day and closing them at night to prevent heat loss.
- Seal drafty windows and doors, even if you have to use plastic for the windows and a rag rug at the bottom of the door, it will make a difference.
- Clean baseboard heaters, radiators, registers, and air filters often.
- Take shorter showers, heating water is one of the largest energy requirements of most houses.
- Take showers not baths. Showers use less water. Less hot water means saving energy.
- Don’t hold the refrigerator or freezer door open.
- Match the pot size to the eye on the stove.
- Use a pressure cooker it takes less time and uses less energy.
- Don’t open the oven door when cooking, you lose about 50 degrees every time you open the door.
- Wash your clothes in cold water.
- Hang your clothes to dry.
- Rake, don’t blow leaves, the exercise will do you good.
Thanks to our parents and grandparents, we know a lot of the things we need to do to help save our planet. Getting back in the habit is another thing. But the alternatives are unthinkable. If we don’t act now, we may be in severe trouble down the road.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Green Energy Sources
Posted by sozmore on Oct 4, 2009
The United States produces 6 billion metric tons of CO2 annually. Yes that is Billion! Forty percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) generated in the US comes from the generation of electricity. We are certainly not the only offender, but we are one of, if not the largest, contributor to the greenhouse gas problem.
The accumulation of greenhouse gasses is causing the earth to warm, reducing the size of ice deposits in the Arctic, Antartica, and Greenland. this has aready caused severe problems for small Pacific Island nations and threatens costal areas all over the world. The reduction of CO2 emissions is critical and needs to start with the production of electricity.
The Advantages of Green Energy seem obvious:
- Green energy is clean and can slow the effects of global warming by reducing CO2 emissions.
- Green energy is renewable unlike the natural gas and coal that are our primary sources now.
- It requires less maintenance that conventional equipment. Although the initial investment may be high, the long term savings would be significant.
- It can provide economic benefits to certain areas. For example, the leasing of land for wind farms could provide economic relief to many rural areas.
There are a few disadvantages that critics can point to.
- we have no control over the weather. The wind must blow and the sun must shine to use wind and solar technologies.
- The type of green energy used is to some degree determined by the geographic location, particularly for energies such as hydrothermal or geothermal.
- Some have even objected on aesthetic grounds, objecting to the site of a wind farm off shore.
It seems to me that the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.
According to the Dept of Energy, if we increase the percentage of electricity produced by wind to 20% by 2030, we can reduce CO2 emissions of the electric sector by 25%. This is equivalent to taking an estimated 140 million vehicles off of the road.
We don’t really have a choice. If we don’t take action now, there will be a time when it will be too late.
Wind Electricity for Homes – Is it Realistic?
Posted by sozmore on Sep 25, 2009
Many people are exploring alternatives to traditional energy sources. The concern for our environment as well as the high cost of fossil fuels is spurring this effort. But is the use of alternative energy sources really an option for an individual. Specifically, are wind turbines for the home a realistic and cost effective purchase?
Making your home more energy efficient should come first before any alternative energy source. Making a home more energy efficient is much less costly than switching energy sources. That being said, using a renewable resource to power a home with virtually no impact to the environment, benefits all of us in the long run.
Whether purchasing, or building, a wind turbine, or windmill, for your home is a good choice depends on a number of factors, the chief one being your geographic location. Typically, if you live in an area where average wind speeds are 10 mph or more, you can use wind as an alternative energy source. You can easily find wind maps on the internet that will show you the average wind speed in your area. In the US for instance, wind speeds are higher in the midwest and along coast lines. Wind speeds in the southeast won’t typically support electricity generation by wind with the exception of some areas in the mountains and along the coast.
Wind resources in an area can vary significantly due to terrain and elevation. Another source of information is your local airport. Be sure to ask at what altitude measurements are taken. In general wind speeds will increase with elevation. You might consider building a tower that is at a higher elevation than where your local airport takes its measurements. Also, check with the Federal Aviation Administration to find out whether or not you need to apply for a permit. If you are near the flight path of a nearby airport additional precautions may need to be taken.
You also want to consider tax refund or rebate programs, grants, and personal or property tax advantages. Many states offer tax breaks for alternative energy efforts, as well as net-metering and buy down programs. You should also investigate any zoning restrictions in your area. Height, safety and aesthetics may be an issue. You also will likely have to have a building permit. Check with your local building inspector or a local green builder for guidance in these areas. Dealing with some of these issues, you could pave the way for others interested in alternative energy in your area.
The typical home uses approximately 800 – 2000 kWh (kiloWatt hours) of energy per month. This can be supplied by a 4 – 10 kWh system. The higher the kWh for the system the higher the initial investment, but the faster the return on investment. You want to make sure that your wind turbine will rise above any current or future constructions that could block the wind. In general, you want your turbine to be approximately 10 feet above any obstacle within about 300 feet.
Given the right conditions, a wind energy system can supply a surplus that can then be sold to the electric company. You may be required to enter into a contract arrangement with the electric company. There may be compatibility issues that have to be worked out to ensure the safety of residents and utility workers. Again standards and policies will vary from state to state. If you choose to do-it-yourself, I would recommend working closely with a local certified electrician to ensure compatibility and to make negotiations go more smoothly.
Wind energy can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. Although it may take quite a bit of initial effort, the advantage to the environment is clear. And a well constructed wind turbine for the home can provide savings well into the future for a family.
Additional information for residents of the United States can be found at the following sites:
http://www.irecusa.org (Interstate Renewable Energy Council)
http://www.dsireusa.org (Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy)
http://www.rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas/ (Wind Resource Atlas of the United States)
Do you have a rain barrel?
Posted by sozmore on Sep 23, 2009
I have a spigot in the middle of my backyard for gardening convenience. But, the water that comes from it is from the city system and contains chlorine and other chemicals. I filter the water that I drink and that I give my dogs, why not what I give my plants.
So I have recently put a barrel outside my house to catch rain water for my plants. Water is a resource that we tend to think of as renewable, but more and more it is becoming polluted. If not by bacteria, by chemicals that we use to kill bacteria. My neighbors didn’t go on city water when it became available. They use a well, and they have rain barrels. I don’t know what took me so long, but next years garden will get pure rain water.
Depending on where you live and what type of barrel you use you may have to put it away in the winter to prevent it from cracking. For me I am just starting with a plastic garbage can (in back of the house), so I will leave it out. A little melted snow will probably do my house plants some good.
Hypermiling – What is it? and How do you do it?
Posted by sozmore on Sep 21, 2009
Hypermiling refers to ways you can make you car go further on less gas. Let’s face it, especially in the US, it is difficult if not impossible to get along without using our cars. We are a nation of independent individualistic people who don’t like to be tied down or at the mercy of other peoples schedules. That being said, we should be concerned with out environment and willing to make some sacrifices to preserve it. But, sometimes carpooling, working from home, getting a job closer to home, using public transportation, are not always possible for us. This is where hypermiling comes in.
Hypermiling involves a number of different things including: driving habits, keeping your vehicle in good working order, making your vehicle lighter by removing unnecessary items, and knowing when it is time to trade in that gas guzzler. Obviously, if it is time to trade, if it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep your vehicle in good working order, you should consider a vehicle with higher gas mileage. If the size of your family or habits make it impossible to use a smaller vehicle, make the best choice you can and then use the other hypermiling techniques.
The most difficult area for most people to make changes is in your driving habits. You want to drive at a constant speed wherever possible. If you are on the highway use your cruise control. This means eliminating the constant in and out trying to stay ahead of the pack. If you think about it, this rarely saves much time anyway. Slow down a little and don’t follow others too closely. This will prevent the constant breaking and speeding up that wastes fuel. It also helps reduce wear and tear on your vehicle and is safer.
Don’t let your car idle. At stoplights we don’t have any choice but to idle. However, stop letting your car idle just to warmup the interior in the winter or to cool it off in the summer. Run your errands in the cooler parts of the day in the summer to try to avoid using your airconditioner. Try to avoid bottleneck situations even if it means going a little out of your way. If you do get stuck in a traffic jam, turn off your motor if you will have to idle for more than about 5 minutes. See if you can vary your work schedule by 30 minutes to 1 hour. This could help you avoid traffic jams and help you keep your travel speed more constant.
Keep your car in good repair. Do routine maintenance on a schedule. This is something that I have to work at because I can’t do the maintenance myself. But keeping the oil changed, the cooling system in good repair, tires inflated properly are all things that have small, but accumulating effects on your gas mileage. Use good quality motor oil with friction reducing qualities. Pay particular attention to the fuel injection system, air filters, and your oxygen sensor. If you can smell gas after starting your car you need to have it checked out. Even though your car may be operating well, you are probably wasting gas.
Don’t forget the standard conservation methods. Consider a second vehicle that you use for work. You may need a large vehicle for the entire family, but purchasing a small fuel efficient vehicle for your daily commute may save you money in the long run. Organize your errands and do as many as possible on the way home from work. And of course try to carpool if you can.
Saving money on fuel costs is important to most of us. But working together to help save our environment is something that we all should participate in. Hypermiling is one way which we all can use to save money and help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Should You Build Your Own Greenhouse?
Posted by sozmore on Sep 19, 2009
Have you considered building a greenhouse? To be honest this is something that is still on my to-do-list. I plan to do it within the next couple of years when it’s more feasible for me economically. One thing I am doing now is gathering information on the process.
There are definite advantages to having your own greenhouse.
1 Working with nature is good for the soul – I always feel regenerated when I spend time outdoors or in contact with nature in some way. Having a greenhouse will extend the time you can spend outdoors during the year. Early preparation for garden seedlings is a great way to get your hands into the soil before the spring actually arrives.
2 Growing your own vegetables and fruits – This is a great economic benefit as well as benefiting the environment. As we discussed in an earlier post, one easy way to go green is to eat green. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables help reduce transportation demands as well as reducing packaging in the landfill. And NOTHING tastes better than fresh from the garden produce. One of my favorite mealtime memories from childhood were the meals made of corn, , squash, fried okra, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. (And yes I’m from the south where we each okra!)
3 A protected place to put delicate outdoor plants during the winter - When I was growing up, my mom would move most of her houseplants outside during the spring and summer. But, when the next fall rolled around it always seemed that there wasn’t quite enough room to bring them all back into the house! A greenhouse would be the perfect place for plants that need protection from the elements.
Some things to consider before building a greenhouse:
1 Your climate and where you can place a greenhouse on your property (south facing, etc.) will determine certain features. For example, if you live in a climate where the summers are hot, you must have adequate ventilation to prevent overheating. Is your climate cold enough to require extra insulation in the winter, etc.
2 What type of materials or package to you expect to use? Will you do -it-yourself or have it built? Will you use salvage materials such as railroad ties or purchase new?
3 What features are most important to you? The floor for example can be concrete, or a combination of boards, gravel, and dirt. You will want to plan for storage of materials such as gardening tools, pots, etc.and of course have benches to work on.
4 Do you plan on automating functions such as watering or ventilation, or do you plan on doing this automatically. This may be affected by your personal life choices, such as how often you travel.
5 Finally, how much space do you need? Do you intend to use it primarily to get seedlings ready for the garden? Or do you plan to indulge a passion for orchids?
It seems to me that planning a greenhouse can be as individual as planning a home. I know I hope to spend a great deal of time in mine once I get it built. I’ll keep you up-to-date on my progress.
Have you built a greenhouse? If so, please share with us by commenting here.
If you are further along in the process than I am, here are few products I saw advertised that may interest you.
One book which may interest you and is free. Edmund Morris’ book Ten Acres Enough is in the public domain and you can download it free here.
Click Here to Download Ten Acres Enough
Another book you may find interesting is a book of greenhouse plans. Click on the image below to get more information or to buy.
Green Tips for Your Home
Posted by sozmore on Sep 18, 2009
The three main uses for energy in each home are heating and cooling, heating water, and lighting. Here are some tips to help you “green” your home.
Switch to LED lights. Ever burned your finger on a light bulb? Thats because only about 10% of the energy used by a regular incandescent bulb goes into generating light. The other 90% produces heat. LED lights use 85% less energy than regular incandescent bulbs. They also last up to 100 times longer, and even 10 times longer than Compact Fluorescent bulbs. At the very least switch to fluorescents.
Shade your windows in the summer. This can be done with awnings, sunshades, a deciduous tree, or a pergola with a deciduous vine covering it. (I’m thinking it might be the perfect use for that annoying wisteria I can’t seem to get rid of.) Lined draperies in sunny windows allow you to use the suns energy to heat when you want it or to shut it out when you don’t.
Replace old appliances with new energy saving models. If your appliances are very old the savings on electric bills alone with repay you for the expense in a few months. If you need to have an old one repaired – Don’t do it. Buy a new energy efficient model instead. And don’t forget to recycle the old one responsibly.
If you have a digital thermostat, program it to raise and lower the temperature automatically based on the season. If you use central heat and air, be sure to clean or replace your filters every 4 months.
Try to do without your central heat and air for a few months a year. Depending on where you live this can be very pleasant. I live in North Carolina in the US. I can usually get away without heat and air conditioning in April into May and again in late September through most of October. Having the house open keeps things fresher as well.
Consider a tankless hot water heater. According to the US Department of Energy, if you use less than 41 gallons of hot water a day, a tankless system can be 24 to 34% more efficient than a water heater with a tank.
Supplement, or replace, your electric system with an alternative source of electricity. This can be solar or wind, determined by the location and climate of your home. You can also install solar hot water heating systems. These can be expensive, but over the long run the savings will be worth it. You can also do-it-yourself. See the other pages on this blog for information on do-it-yourself guides. This can be a relatively inexpensive way to go as well as a fun family project.
Basic Tips for Going Green
Posted by sozmore on Sep 16, 2009
If you are new to the idea of going green here are some basic ideas that you can use to get started.
1 Eat Green – One of the easiest ways to go green is to eat green! when you eat fresh and local foods you help the environment in several ways. You help reduce the demand for foods that must be trucked in. You also immediately reduce the amount of packaging going into the landfills.
2 Reuse anything – producing new goods requires a lot of energy – the production of the article, transport to the consumer, etc. Any time you buy used or reuse your own goods you help reduce this energy consumption.
3 Reduce the amount of driving you do – it’s been said for years, but carpooling is still a great idea to help reduce the carbon dioxide input into the atmosphere. Also, organize your errands. Do as many errands on the route you travel daily as possible – grocery shop on the way home from work, keep track of local sales so that you can stop as you pass particular stores. I love to get home and know I don’t have to go back out.
4 Don’t drink bottled water – buy a water filter instead. You can get a simple one to fit on your tap, or use a Britta water filter pitcher. Get a few inexpensive washable sqeeze bottles from your local Walmart and you are set. This helps reduce the energy required in the making and transporting of bottled water as well as reducing the waste in the landfill. Yes you can recycle the bottles, but why use the energy in the first place.
5 Use your clothes line or a foldable clothes rack – Not only do electric dryers use energy, they are also hard on some clothes, particularly clothes with elastic such as underwear and lingerie. A little water softener in the rinse cycle and your clothes will be soft even after line drying. And nothing smells better than towels or sheets dried on the line in the sunshine.
Overall keep in find the manta Reduce-Reuse-Recycle. When you get ideas please share them with us here in the comments.