Practical solutions for helping the environment or doing your part

Since I was complaining about practical solutions for helping the environment, cutting down on oil use, etc. on the 2010 gas price thread, I thought I'd do a little research and start a thread.

So, here are some helpful links. Feel free to add your own.

Map of farmer's markets throughout the country:

http://www.localharvest.org/

http://eartheasy.com/grow_backyard_vegetable_garden.html

http://www.eatwild.com/index.html

http://www.energyfederation.org/lowimpactliving/default.php

http://www.greenfeet.com/index.asp

http://ohcripes.com/?page_id=47

http://www.homecanning.com/

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/worldhunger.faces;jsessionid=C6FECCFBF5141B73FB0362F6D1CB6884.ctgProd04?siteId=1&link=ctg_ths_worldhunger_from_home_sidetabs

this site has a number of links to different things. Many interesting statistics and ways to deal with food issues.

http://www.drgreene.com/21_868.html

Grow your own mushrooms:

http://www.mushroomadventures.com/kits.html

 

Make sure your tires are inflated correctly as well. If it's not right, your gas mileage won't be as good.

I use florescent bulbs instead of incandescent and a reusable coffee filter. I figure every little bit helps.

 

Synthetic motor oil (Castrol Syntec, Mobil 1, &c) not only doesn't come from dead dinosaurs but makes your engine run smoother, thus using less gas. It's not much (1 or 2 MPG city), but it adds up over time.

If your computer allows you to change the processor speed (most laptops do, most desktops can be induced to), set it so that your processor speed is based on load rather than full-power all the time. You probably won't miss the extra processor cycles.

At least put the computer asleep when you're not using it. If you won't be using it for extended periods of time, turn it off.

Recycle everything you can — newspapers, magazines, computer printouts, junk mail (except credit card apps, which should be shredded), metal cans, plastic and glass. (I probably missed something, but recycle whatever it was I forgot, too.)

Got a lawn? Don't water it more than once a week, and even then only water after 7 p.m. Consider xeriscaping.

 

Unplug your phone charger when it's not charging your phone.

In fact, that's the advice for all appliances, but I saw numbers recently about energy use solely attributed to pulled-in cell phone chargers that were pretty shocking. It made me adopt the strategy.

 

To follow up what 2mcm said about computers, laptops use less energy than desk tops.

Also get a programmable thermostate so you're most of the energy you use to heat/cool your home is when you're at home.

 

I generally only leave the refrigerator open for about 10 minutes at a time, and I put my TV on mute when I turn on my iTunes.

 

I was reading that the disposal of fluorescent bulbs has been causing a major problem because of their toxicity (they're filled with mercury dust).

Be sure to do a little research as far as how to dispose of them -- there is a specific way to go about it. Don't just throw them in the trash.

 

Yea, I know. I've got the disposal instructions in my filing cabinet (along with every other instuction manual for everything I've ever bought.)

And for the record, I mostly bought them so I didn't have to change my light bulbs every six months. That they use less energy was a happy side effect.

 

The rainwater that falls on my house goes into a cistern, which is hooked up to my outside faucets. I use that to water my lawn/plants/gardens.

 

That is awesome.

 

does anyone else feel hypocritical calling themselves an environmentalist, or at least someone who cares about the environment, when you work at a newspaper? yeah, its gets recycled, but think about what has to happen for newsprint to even exist.