Have A Green Summer!
Earth Day has arrived, and for many it means a day of heightened environmental awareness. The earth needs your help the other 364 days of the year. Here are some easy ways to help the environment this summer.
Sing short songs in the shower
Everyone loves the sound of your melodious voice, but long showers waste water. A family of four uses 700 gallons of water a week if they each shower for just five minutes a day. The water in this example, given by the Department of Energy, is enough for a three year supply of drinking water for one person.
If you can't give up those Hollywood showers, install a low-flow shower head. They're inexpensive and can cut your water use in half. Aerator-type shower heads mix air with water. This way, water flow is reduced while a comfortable shower pressure is maintained.
Shop at a farmers' market
An average grocery item travels 1,300 miles before it gets to your house from where it originated, according to the Southland Farmers Market Association. You can avoid supporting this waste of energy by patronizing your local farmers' market. You'll get fresh produce, and it's a fun way to interact with your community.
Buying the food from the person who grows it is very different from going to the grocery store, according to Gerri Glass, executive director of Main Street Radford. "It is very small scale. It's usually a little more expensive but on the other hand the quality exceeds anything you can get in most supermarkets because the food is very fresh. It hasn't been in storage in a supermarket for weeks."
Stock the fridge with tasty goodness
Refrigerators are the biggest energy hogs in the home. A fully stocked (but not overstocked) refrigerator uses less energy because food retains cold better than air does. Also, be sure to clean the nasty coils underneath your fridge. If they're dirty, they won't be able to dissipate heat and your electricity bill will suffer. (SOURCE: Seattle City Light)
Clean that lint trap
No, not your belly button, the lint trap on your clothes dryer. Clean the lint basket between each load. The circulating air dries the clothes. If the air is obstructed, the dryer will have to work harder and run longer.
Lura Meeks, who works at a cleaning center in Radford, recommended drying consecutive loads in order to save on energy. She also suggested drying them the old fashioned way. "This summer, I wouldn't even use a dryer. I'd just hang 'em out."
Get your folks to install ceiling fans
Not only are they swanky, ceiling fans use as little energy as a 60-watt light bulb. You can then set your air conditioning lower because the circulating air gives the impression that the room is cooler than it actually is. (SOURCE: 30 Simple Things You Can Do to Save Energy)
Florescent light bulbs are a bright idea
Replace your inefficient incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs. They last longer and emit the same light while using just one-fourth of the energy of incandescent bulbs. They cost a little more, but the energy they save covers the purchase cost in about two years. Seattle City Light says that just one replaced incandescent bulb saves about 600 pounds of coal over the life of the bulb.
Don't poison yourself
Your drinking water comes from groundwater or surface sources, or both. Contact your local recycling center to make sure you properly dispose of hazardous chemicals such as paints, cleaners, and engine liquids. They may end up in your water supply if improperly discarded.
To find out more about the drinking water in your area, check out the Environmental Protection Agency's online watershed guide.
Show us your cans
You've probably heard it a hundred times, but recycling is extremely important. Paper, plastics, metals, and glass can all be recycled and reused in cost effective ways. Contact your local recycling center for programs in your area.
Radford University Green Team member Ben Bradburn said that recycling is worth the extra effort. "You take a bag to the recycling center, and there's not somebody cheering you on. There's no instant reward. If you do it, it's for your own peace of mind."
Learn more and get involved
There is plenty you can do to show respect for the world you live in. Check out the links below for more information, and have a green summer.
LINKS
Earth Day Network
Get more information about Earth Day events, activities and campaigns.
Earth Share
Seasonal earth saving tips you can use.
History of Earth Day
From Contra Costa County's Earth Day festival.
30 Simple Energy Things You Can Do to Save the Earth
Courtesy of Seattle City Light
Name: Jeff Name: Spider Monkey Comments:
Name: Chris Brock
Year: Sophmore
Major: Music Technology
Comments:
Great Article. Jeff... what you call noise pollution others call music. i guess you'd rather here the ratle of train trusses as they speed the chopped paths in the forest for your music eh?
good artical greek, let's hope people such as jeff can take heed and understand that the first step to getting people to reduce pollution... is to create some
Year: Junior
Major: English
Comments:
I find it interesting that RU celebrated Earth Day by causing noise pollution...
Comments:
How bout I go to RU's Earth Day listen to some crappy bands and smoke pot till the sky melts on my face? That is what I am going to do for Earth Day by God!
you hippie!