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Re: Earth Day 2008
I didn't drive on Earth Day, either, though I wished in retrospect I'd known I wouldn't use our Ford Escape Hybrid that day so Justin could have taken it to work. I can't (won't) drive his behemoth truck, so we don't swap vehicles, meaning if he takes the hybrid I am stuck at home 'til he returns.
We had to replace our A/C system at home recently so while it wasn't the impetus for the purchase (old system had died), we are running a highly energy efficient system and new thermostat now. Have had it just about a month now, so we'll see how that bears out in our power bill.
All of our lights are compact fluorescents now, including the garage and pantry and kitchen fixtures (except for recessed lighting and the ball lights in the bathroom, neither of which we've replaced yet.)
We of course have one hybrid vehicle, a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid, that we bought over 2 years ago to replace my 14 year old Toyota Corolla (which we sold to an extended family member who was commuting DFW<->San Antonio often.) The purchase was primarily so I'd be in a modern vehicle with airbags, ABS, etc. but we bought a *hybrid* Ford Escape to get the best fuel economy possible in an SUV (that is still true, today)
and support technology we feel is a step in the right direction, even if it is admittedly a partial step (still burns gasoline, after all... just less of it than a non-hybrid Ford Escape, and less than many cars even.)
We don't overwater our lawn because, quite frankly, it was a mistake for the original owners of our house to put St. Augustine grass in vs. a more drought/Texas-hearty variety. We keep it healthy and don't let it die back or go weedy, but we don't drown it and flood the driveway and street, either.
We plan our trips as best as we can so, even in the hybrid, we aren't taking unnecessary trips.
When it rains, if I can, I move all our plants so they'll get rainwater instead of requiring water from our aquifer via the garden hose.
We bicycle for exercise and recreation, and this gives us a new perspective of and appreciation for how much one can do on a bicycle--how far one's own body can take oneself (16 miles for me last Sunday, and I'm out of shape; imagine what I will be able to do when I get back in shape?! Justin rode 32+ miles last weekend, and has participated in 150 mile charity rides. While you can't do a food shopping or take your kiddo to kindergarten with a bicycle, you can ride down to the mailbox or neighbor's house, etc. ZERO pollution and healthy for not only the environment, but you as well.
To cut down on what goes to the landfill, we also recycle things like magazines and paper products. We'd recycle more but our neighborhood is not eligible for the City's recycling service, so cans and plastic sadly still go to the landfill. If I find a place I can take that stuff without driving out of my way (wasting gas), we'll recycle that too one day.
We also donate tons of stuff to charity when its no longer useful to us--baby clothes and toys (some barely used or worn because, as you know, kids grow quickly and take to some toys more than others.) Lately we've donated to the Medina Children's Home for mothers and children who need a leg up to get back on their feet.
There's a lot more we can do, but we're making a concerted effort to do what we can, as well.
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Earth Day 2008
To Camp or Not to Camp -Lets go Camping- Have Fun
Cheyenne
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