Tuesday October 27, 2009, 1:18 pm
thanks daphna

Tuesday October 27, 2009, 4:11 pm
Thanks Daphna.
Some things can be deceiving, but other behaviors are clearly beneficial. We stopped using plastic liners in all our trash cans except for the kitchen and laundry room. In the laundry room we took a very heavy plastic bag from a restaurant to line the trash can, and we've been reusing it for over 2 years now because lint is just lint (we don't use the dryer much either). We stopped using plastic liners in the cat boxes too; that alone saves us money on those biggest leaf bags and the new set up uses 30% less litter too. We reuse both paper and plastic bags, and we take cloth bags to the store. Recently our friend gave us a cloth bag made of an old muscle shirt/tank top. How cute! Instant handles that don't 'come off' ever!! It's a great idea and I'm going to make some of my own.
I understand that not all ideas may be the greatest or make the biggest difference, but it is important for people to develop good habits, to really care, to take time making the future better, and every little bit helps unless it hurts more (so pay attention). Let's share ideas and have fun and keep getting better at being clean and green and sustainable!!

Tuesday October 27, 2009, 5:51 pm
Carbon off-setting will not undo the damage that is caused by flying. But contrary to what many people think, long haul flights are less polluting than short flights as most fuel is used for taking off and landing. HOWEVER, all of the planes on the planet, including all the military ones, account for only 3% of greenhouse emissions -- while the livestock industry accounts for 18% --so the best thing anyone can do for the planet is give up -- or at least cut down on-- eating meat.
All of the other things help a little and we all need to make the effort. If you have a garden, have a compost heap. Grow your own veggies and fruit. Have a water butt to keep rainwater for the garden. Put your washing-up water on the garden.Use forestry-stewardship-council certified wooden (pine) cat litter not the mineral kind, which is obtained by blasting mountains. Dont waste anything. Dont over-buy at the store, and buy local of poss. Re-use all bags and boxes. Re-cycle everything that you do not want to put to other uses. When you cook pasta or rice, bring to the boil, turn off heat, leave lid on, it will carry on cooking. Put silver foil behind your radiators / wall heaters. Dry your laundry outdoors if possible. Drive smoothly and not fast, to save on gas. Turn off all your items like tvs and computers when not in use, rather than on standby.Give your stale bread to the wild ducks... try to think of some more!