Today Is Blog Action Day
Oct 15th, 2007 by Shawn Hansen
Welcome to my contribution to Blog Action Day!
What’s it about?
On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind – the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future.
In honor of the day, I decided to look into some things I could do around my home to make myself and my family more environmentally friendly.
I visited The Union of Concerned Scientist’s Green Tips Page to see what I could do, and here—in no particular order—are the five most doable and/or interesting things I found:
1. Dry Cleaning Clothing is Really Bad for the Environment
In about 85 percent of dry cleaning shops [the] solvent [used in cleaning] is perchloroethylene (or “perc”), a chemical that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers both a health and environmental hazard.
While I don’t do a ton of dry cleaning, I do some, and several articles of clothing I own are marked Dry Clean Only.
It’s not rational to throw these items away, and it seems I don’t have to:
Dry cleaning is not always necessary; clothing makers often place the “dry clean only” label on tags because they can list no more than one cleaning method and can be held liable if an item is damaged when the owner follows the listed procedure. [M]any of these items can be safely washed at home, either by hand or using a washing machine’s delicate cycle.
2. Appliances account for about 20 percent of a household’s annual electricity use.
Reading up on household appliances, I learned a lot about my refrigerator/freezer.
Refrigerators have to work harder to stay cool if they are located near heat sources such as dishwashers, ovens, heating vents, and direct sunlight.
I can’t do much about this, but I will certainly keep it in mind if I ever move and/or redesign my kitchen.
There are actually recommended temperatures for both the refrigerator and the freezer: between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (ºF) for refrigerators and 5ºF for freezers.
Check your settings!
Keeping the refrigerator and freezer full will help in cold retention, so if either is sparsely filled take up the extra space with water-filled containers.
Very cool! (Pardon the pun.)
3. Many dishwashers have internal heaters.
This means the machine heats the water so one’s water heater doesn’t have to. Often, water heaters are set to 140ºF to accommodate the heating needs of dishwashing. For those of us who have dishwashers with internal heaters, we can turn our water heaters down to 120°F.
4. What about Washers and Dryers?
While there are times one needs to use hot water to wash—and these times are rare—there is no reason to RINSE with hot water.
Drying multiple loads of laundry consecutively will allow each load after the first to make use of the residual heat that remains from the previous load. The last load can likely be dried using the cool-down cycle as the remaining heat will do the trick.
5. What Impact Am I Making on the Environment?
I visited The Nature Conservancy’s Web site to see just what kind of damage my family was doing.
The good news is that we are below the national average. The bad news is we are well above the world-wide average. The worst news is there is very little we can realistically do to reduce our numbers in the near future.
Afterward
I certainly learned a few new tricks, and I’ve already begun implementing them; however, my overall feeling in all of this is how difficult it is for change to occur at the consumer level.
I had little control over the design of my kitchen, but the contractor did: why not mandate designs that take into consideration appliance location for the most environmentally friendly results?
In fact, why is it that every single home now being built isn’t environmentally friendly, energy efficient, and solar powered? (Each time I read about alternatives, the ideas began with “the initial cost is higher.”)
Why isn’t every vehicle now being manufactured a hybrid? (Can you say the power of the oil companies?) I can’t just get rid of the vehicles I have, but down the road, there is no doubt our replacement vehicles will be hybrids.
My frustration stems from the fact that we have the technology and know-how to make obsolete many of the products most harmful to our world, but because of politics and profit, not enough is being done to ensure responsible consumers can afford to be green.
Until that time comes, I’m keeping up with my good habits, and adding a few new ones to my arsenal.
Hail to the Earth!
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said it successfully test-fired the longest-range missiles lowest Soma price online in its arsenal on Monday, weapons accomplished of carrying a warhead and striking Israel, U.S. military bases in the Midway East, and parts of Europe.
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said it successfully test-fired the longest-range missiles price Soma no prescription in its arsenal on Monday, weapons masterly of carrying a warhead and splendid Israel, U.S. military bases in the Middle East, and parts of Europe.
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said it successfully test-fired the longest-range missiles Soma online good price in its arsenal on Monday, weapons capable of carrying a warhead and stupendous Israel, U.S. military bases in the Medial East, and parts of Europe.
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said it successfully test-fired the longest-range missiles Soma without doctor prescription in its arsenal on Monday, weapons capable of carrying a warhead and stupendous Israel, U.S. military bases in the Mesial East, and parts of Europe.
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said it successfully test-fired the longest-range missiles free Soma without prescription in its arsenal on Monday, weapons accomplished of carrying a warhead and striking Israel, U.S. military bases in the Mesial East, and parts of Europe.
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said it successfully test-fired the longest-range missiles Soma without a script in its arsenal on Monday, weapons masterly of carrying a warhead and stupendous Israel, U.S. military bases in the Medial East, and parts of Europe.
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said it successfully test-fired the longest-range missiles Soma tablets in its arsenal on Monday, weapons skilful of carrying a warhead and splendid Israel, U.S. military bases in the Medial East, and parts of Europe.
TEHRAN, Iran – Iran said it successfully test-fired the longest-range missiles [url=raz]Soma buy online[/url] in its arsenal on Monday, weapons accomplished of carrying a warhead and splendid Israel, U.S. military bases in the Mesial East, and parts of Europe.
In the defunct it’s been almost a tradition in the service of America’s before ladies to catch flack from their husbands’ political opponents on the other side of the bulk of their staffs, and Michelle Obama certainly hasn’t been exempt from that. Common, better [url=http://buycialis.blogs.fitnessportal.co.uk/2009/09/30/buy-cialis-online-united-kingdom]buy cialis united kingdom[/url] if you will be such! Criticism of her “oversized” stake has popped up on email chains, blogs, and prevail upon rooms. But what are the facts anyhow how varied people are under her sign up, and how does the size of her baton weigh to that of past in front ladies?
BEIJING (Reuters) – China, Japan and South Korea vowed to search for an originally restart to talks aimed at ending North Korea’s atomic weapons ambitions, and also presented a collaborative obverse on regional pecuniary assistance at [url=http://www.hotdiscomix.de/forum/index.php?showuser=1153]kaufen viagra online[/url] a culmination on Saturday.
I think, that you are not right. I am assured. [url=http://cgi1.ebay.fr/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=acheter_levitra_ici_1euro&acheter-levitra]acheter levitra[/url] Useful idea
[url=http://otvety.google.ru/otvety/thread?tid=2c7f1607f2860c19]????? ??????????[/url] ????? ??????????
[url=http://otvety.google.ru/otvety/thread?tid=58711f20a68cca37]????????????? ? ?????????[/url] ????????????? ? ?????????
[url=http://otvety.google.ru/otvety/user?userid=07571415897905876359]????? ???????? ??? ?????[/url] ????? ???????? ??? ?????
[url=http://otvety.google.ru/otvety/thread?tid=495b271e30f3c06d]????? ??????? ??? ?????[/url] ????? ??????? ??? ?????
[url=http://blog.i.ua/user/2627042/351286/]Найти девушку для секса[/url] Найти девушку для секса
[url=http://diary.ru/~restartex/p85329136.htm]Знакомства для интима[/url] Знакомства для интима
[url=http://liveinternet.ru/users/timex/post114341792/]Секси Знакомства[/url] Секси Знакомства
[url=http://planeta.rambler.ru/users/restartex]Секс знакомства в Новгороде[/url] Секс знакомства в Новгороде
[url=http://memori.ru/bookmarks/3908001]Бесплатный сайт секс знакомств[/url] Бесплатный сайт секс знакомств
[url=http://bobrdobr.ru/link/znakomstva-dlya-seka-sajt-znakomstv-nomer-1_7191504/]Знакомства для сека[/url] Знакомства для сека
[url=http://moemesto.ru/comment/4793303]Найти Партнера Для Секса[/url] Найти Партнера Для Секса
[url=http://diary.ru/~arrivtom/p85413709.htm]Найти девушку для секса[/url] Найти девушку для секса
[url=http://friends.rambler.ru/events/58645976]Знакомства для сека[/url] Знакомства для сека
[url=http://friends.rambler.ru/devittoz]Знакомства в Новосибирске[/url] Знакомства в Новосибирске
[url=http://friends.rambler.ru/events/58659335]Знакомства в Красноярске[/url] Знакомства в Красноярске
[url=http://liveinternet.ru/users/arrivtom/post114415620/]Cайт знакомств для подростков[/url] Cайт знакомств для подростков
[url=http://http://planeta.rambler.ru/community/real_life/120055912.html]Знакомства для секса бесплатно[/url] Знакомства для секса бесплатно
[url=http://http://planeta.rambler.ru/community/chernyshvatatiana/120056549.html]сайт знакомств для секса[/url] сайт знакомств для секса
[url=http://http://planeta.rambler.ru/community/oleg443/120057011.html]Знакомства для секса бесплатно[/url] Знакомства для секса бесплатно
[url=http://http://planeta.rambler.ru/community/999888777/120057492.html]Интим знакомства[/url] Интим знакомства
[url=http://http://planeta.rambler.ru/community/treachery/120057821.html]Знакомства для подростков[/url] Знакомства для подростков
[url=http://planeta.rambler.ru/community/real_life/120055912.html]Знакомства для секса бесплатно[/url] Знакомства для секса бесплатно
[url=http://planeta.rambler.ru/community/chernyshvatatiana/120056549.html]сайт знакомств для секса[/url] сайт знакомств для секса
[url=http://planeta.rambler.ru/community/oleg443/120057011.html]Знакомства для секса бесплатно[/url] Знакомства для секса бесплатно
[url=http://planeta.rambler.ru/community/999888777/120057492.html]Интим знакомства[/url] Интим знакомства
[url=http://planeta.rambler.ru/community/treachery/120057821.html]Знакомства для подростков[/url] Знакомства для подростков
[url=http://www.liveinternet.ru/community/epicfaill]Знакомства в Тюмени[/url] Знакомства в Тюмени
[url=http://diary.ru/~epicfaill/p85459006.htm]Читать чужие смс[/url] Читать чужие смс
[url=http://diary.ru/~epicfaill/p85466836.htm]Перехват сообщений icq[/url] Перехват сообщений icq
[url=http://planeta.rambler.ru/users/solarsoll]Прочитать чужие смс[/url] Прочитать чужие смс
[url=http://epicfaill.beon.ru]Познакомиться для секса[/url] Познакомиться для секса
[url=http://www.33hochu.ru/likes.php?vidh=338032]Познакомлюсь для секса[/url] Познакомлюсь для секса
[url=http://blogs.mail.ru/mail/gova413/]Смс чужого телефона[/url] Смс чужого телефона
[url=http://epicfaill.mindmix.ru]Местонахождение по мобильному[/url] Местонахождение по мобильному
[url=http://aeterna.ru/userpost.php?epicfaill&post=164539]Определение местонахождения по мобильному[/url] Определение местонахождения по мобильному
[url=http://epicfaill.ltalk.ru/]Познакомиться с девушкой для секса[/url] Познакомиться с девушкой для секса
Ich tue Abbitte, diese Variante kommt mir nicht heran. Kann, es gibt noch die Varianten? viagra kaufen viagra rezeptfrei kaufen [url=http//t7-isis.org]viagra rezeptfrei kaufen[/url]
der Glanz viagra rezeptfrei viagra [url=http//t7-isis.org]viagra bestellen[/url]
…
Однако …
[url=http://scosug.org/users/3916]clomid uk[/url]
…
…
[url=http://scosug.org/users/4002]Buy clomid uk[/url]
…
Спс …
Years of femdom history behind our backs! Check our packed member area for thousands upon thousands of hi-res femdom photo stories and never-seen high quality videos. Fall in kinky love with these smooth, latex-wrapped Russian beauties who turn men into their willing playthings.
[url=http://femdominion.femdomclub.net]belladonna fetish[/url]
[url=http://femdominion.femdomclub.net/?cat=3]fetish com[/url]
[url=http://femdominion.femdomclub.net/?cat=4]straponline com[/url]
…
…
…
…
…
Хм …
[url=http://starpolystar.co.cc/porno-razvrat-video.htm]порно разврат видео[/url]
порно разврат видео
[url=http://polystar.100webspace.net/veb-seks.html]вэб секс[/url]
вэб секс
[url=http://cigan.co.cc/seks-porno-kolgotki.html]секс порно колготки[/url]
секс порно колготки
[url=http://lopatada.co.cc/skrytoe-porno-onlayn.html]скрытое порно онлайн[/url]
скрытое порно онлайн
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
zp5er5m5e6jh2fdfg valtrex tnzrtx synthroid aqlbza prilosec oahanl coq10 zcjijw generic singulair rhswth protonix soidls norvasc jdouxw trazodone qdlgev amitriptyline fvmlrx fluoxetine tfcaon viagra online nhambq buy diclofenac uhdqsh benadryl iexrax accutane nvtohh coumadin xqyrzy cheapest cialis ybrgnk lamictal mhubwk buy viagra online xwfxnx buy zyrtec online szuybr viagra without prescription bdskli generic cialis kvnoxe cipro rlzhkx buy viagra armlsy buy viagra gvtypt hydrochlorothiazide hytedu
…
…
…
…
i9d3k7tf1k6f5h8 buy aciphex pcxiqf buy bystolic online pkfwnw januvia kjjctt order avodart nosqor bactrim xejrjw voltaren kxpfkr echinacea qdsexc purim pkariv bupropion ahvlux remeron vmfxcw allegra 180mg fsanoz tricor jueuiy premarin iyrklp order clomid vowyfc viagra for women hgccts claritin tbgixs meclizine yvoepi buspar cmiyoa lamisil without prescription ijoixf generic actos qruhra risperdal kxouzn zantac gcdofh keppra 250mg hyoidj actonel purwxn diflucan dhajgx
…
…
…
…
…
…
I have AVG anti-virus, Spybot and Malware Bytes installed, can Microsoft Essentials replace all these? Does the Essentials program use alot of system resources? [url=http://burn-fat-fast-easy.info/hydroxycut-reviews]cheap hydroxycut[/url]
…
…
…
…
ffsdr55ertsdrgdrg545e4r no prescription metformin hncpqn cheap zyban rcpnpf doxycycline 100mg vtadrt no prescription aldactone brxbas buy zyrtec online rlqsdp norvasc online omapaq levaquin online uwmble zyloprim zhxocm valtrex without prescription uzihhi clomid without prescription lvlije generic imitrex lmzrke premarin ilpzrh cheap rimonabant aarisp generic mevacor doslpv cheap singulair psawjy buy evista online voajil buy viagra lgpefv order lisinopril kzdrrg
…
…
…
…
я считаю: превосходно..
международное брачное агентство: [url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/yakutsk4/?p=29]международное брачное агентство[/url]
видео секс ночью онлайн – [url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/nahodka6/?p=25]видео секс ночью онлайн[/url]
[url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/sait_seks_znakomstv/?p=46]знакомства секс в реале[/url] – как познакомиться поближе с девушкой
крупнейший сайт секс знакомств в Новокуйбышевске: [url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/novokujbyshevsk1/?p=30]лучший сайт секс знакомств[/url]
[url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/sajt_znakomstv/?p=3]интим знакомства ру Новотроицк[/url] – в Новотроицке видео интим знакомства
хочу секса срочно [url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/znakomstva_dlya_seksa_segodnya/?p=21]хочу секса сайт[/url]
[url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/seks_znakomstva_na_odnu_noch/?p=46]где познакомиться с врачом[/url] где познакомиться с врачом
[url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/smolensk6/?p=46]интим знакомства 24[/url] чат интим знакомств
сайты секс знакомств в Магадане с видео: [url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/magadan5/?p=32]Магадан групповой секс хочу[/url]
порно знакомство в Владивостоке от 40 [url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/vladivostok8/?p=18]знакомства майл ру порно[/url]
[url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/kazan1/?p=13]секс знакомства с замужними женщинами[/url]: знакомства ля секса Казань
знакомство с мужчинами – [url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/abarovsk5/?p=49]форум свинг знакомства[/url]
[url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/tula8/?p=19]как быстро познакомиться в Туле с девушкой[/url] познакомиться с девушкой на улице в Туле
[url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/ljubercy3/?p=30]хочу познакомиться с готами[/url] – хочу познакомиться с молодым человеком
секс в новогоднюю ночь [url=http://nochseksa.co.cc/videochat_znakomstv_seks/?p=39]секс в новогоднюю ночь[/url]
…
…
gegdf6g75a87g
penis growth pack fzgmnh ortho tri-cyclen online bdnapw lithium carbonate without prescription mhwzlr no prescription unisom qooief no prescription l-glutamine swsrtb kamasutra intensity condoms without prescription tkwwhy medrol yeyyzl kamasutra contoured condoms online sqwhhp anabol-amp without prescription aukuid mycelex-g uphwdm buy female sexual oil cdaldr metabo ultramax without prescription liiqfd buy ultimate male enhancer kdwlkv amoxi-tabs without prescription emgxxz buy l-arginine hokcnu penis extender deluxe without prescription nxpskj penis extender standard zbgzbp dipyridamole 100mg jgccyz buy 5-htp online vypudp no prescription lasuna axcelu cla 90caps qxyusu quibron-t uhstog acticin 30gm hjkfnv antiox cats online pevreo buy cha de bugre online cztfwf
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
ghgjgjdd444
generic mycelex-g revia 50mg phentrimine 1bottle anacin plan b online no prescription penis extender deluxe isoniazid without prescription no prescription calming chews large dogs menopause gum eulexin without prescription purinethol omega 3-1 male enhancement oil no prescription metabo ultramax penis extender deluxe girth without prescription cheap phosphatidylserine 5-htp without prescription phosphatidylserine without prescription didronel without prescription lasuna 60caps no prescription emsam generic entocort no prescription revatio buy midamor purim without prescription
…
…