World Health Day Goes Green: Ways to Reduce Energy Consumption
Today, April 7, 2008, is World Health Day. This year’s theme is Protect Health from Climate Change. Now whether you think there is global warming and resulting disastrous changes going on or not, we can do things that will make a positive impact on our environment and wallet.
The World Health Association has put out an A-Z list of ways we can help. Most of the ideas revolve around going green – reducing our energy consumption and being smarter about waste disposal/recycling. Below are some of the suggestions.
- Calculate your personal carbon footprint. Then reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Go to carbonfootprint.com to get your number.
- Half your emissions by setting the thermostat at a lower number in the Winter (65 degrees) and higher number in the Summer (70 degrees). Keep the filters clean. Evidently almost half of the energy we use in our homes goes to cooling. (I didn’t know that.) I am guilty about checking the filters. 😦
- Off! Turn off appliances when not in use – TV’s, Computers, Coffee Makers, Toasters, Stereos, Lights, VCR/DVD Players and Photocopiers. My TV, Stereo and VCR/DVD Player are all connected to the same power cord. It is easy to turn them all off at the same time. It is not so easy to remember to turn them off.
- Quit plastic bags. Bring your own bags when going shopping. Did you know that Seattle is considering charging customers 20 cents for each disposable bag? Paper and plastic! Click here for the full post on this.
Click here for directions on making your own shopping bags.
Click here for directions on making a canvas bag.
YouTube has directions for those wanting a video (7 minutes), instead of just words, for making a canvas shopping bag.
- Read green blogs. (My idea) Here are a few to check out: Things That Make You Go Green, Tree Hugger, and Tree Hugging Family. Please share the green blogs that you read. Also share your favorite post.
- Use less energy and conserve more of it. Think when using water – turn it off when not needed – like when brushing your teeth, washing hands, soaping clothes or dishes.
When we lived in England, we didn’t have a lot of hot water available for the shower. So once we got wet, the water was turned off while soaping the body and shampooing the hair. Then the water was turned back on for a quick rinse. I still do that – for the most part. 🙂
Another way I am going to use less energy, is by installing and using a clothesline. I’ve never used a clothesline before.
Click here to read how I use an electric blanket to save energy & money.
Check out the whole A-Z list by clicking here.
What are your green ideas?
Entry filed under: 51 Things to Do In 365 Days, Firsts, RunningShoes Contest.
Fruitful Words 
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Jennifer | . at .
Thanks for the link love 🙂
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lynette | . at .
Don’t know what this has too do with your post, but I was reminded of a conversation with J. Had just picked him up at school where apparently they are studying Global Warming (I think that goes with going green, I’m terrible at keeping up with these things) and you would have thought he was now the expert on Global Warming. He is telling us all about this & proclaiming ” this is really true, Mrs. R said when she lived in Alaska she saw evidence of Global Warming. Afte listening I thought this is a great time to teach him something. I told him I did not doubt Mrs. R, & asked him what he thought about Global Warming. He concurred with Mrs. R & her findings in Alaska. I went on to challenged him when he is interested in a subject whether it be global warming or creation vs evolution (recent topic, 2 belief in household) to research it himself via the Library, internet, bookstore etc. I handed down some motherly advice not to believe everything you hear at face value, but to find out for yourself. Do some research, talk to others, etc. I mentioned I don’t know much about Global Warming, but we could look it up & learn together. It was pretty neat I had this opportunity to challenge him on a subject being taught in school.
I was not brought up that way. To challenge what I hear, to research & learn on my own. Better scoot, j calling from bed.
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Elizabeth | . at .
I like your England comment. It wasn’t until my first semester in the dorms that I realized that I was raised on taking “military showers.” I thought everyone always turned off the water then lathering. My roommate corrected that thinking. Now I leave the water on, because it takes several minutes for the water to get hot again after being shut off. Other times I use water sparingly, just not during my relaxing, hot showers.
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Joan Elmore | . at .
Our company http://www.whatsurbag-usa.com is about to debut at the http://www.gogreenexpo.com in NYC on the last week end of April. We make reusable shopping bags that are flexible fashionable and socially concious. All of our bags are made in New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina Survivors. In fact all of our vendors are outsourced there. We wanted to give new business and jobs to a struggling economy in New Orleans. Our bags hold twice as much as a plastic bag because they are flexible and they bounce when you walk so whatever you are carrying seems lighter.The website is not done yet but we are almost ready to hit the streets. Stay tuned! Joan Elmore
PS part of our proceeds go to Hope House in New Orleans a charity that feeds,trains and helps the homeless find housing.
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laurablood | . at .
I like this post! How come you had to turn the water off when you were showering in England though, was it just because there wasnt much hot water?
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susan2009 | . at .
Jennifer – you are welcome. 🙂
Lynette – what a great thing you are teaching your son. Challenge, research, learn: doing these 3 things would serve each of us all in many areas of life. You are a good teacher and mom.
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susan2009 | . at .
Elizabeth – good to hear your pov. I don’t know if these are called “military” showers. I never asked your dad. We did it out f necessity.
Joan – thank you for letting us know about this new product. I’ll be checking back the end of April to have a look around your website.
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susan2009 | . at .
Laura – thanks for visiting my site. Yes, the tank did not hold that much hot water. And if several needed to shower, it had to be a quick in-and-out thing.
The tub was gorgeous. One of those DEEP things. My kiddos had many hours of fun playing/taking a bath.
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