After watching Dave Matthews Band's video, "The Space Between" I got thinking...
WATCH THE VIDEO... CHECK OUT THE FACTORY IN THE BACKGROUND...
What are some things you can do right now to help the planet?? Oh you might say, I'm only ___ years old... what can I do?? Well you can do a lot! Over the next month I want you all to make a personal commitment to do something for the earth. It doesn't have to be huge... but every small act add up to making a huge difference....
How about...
1. Always make sure that your family has the reusable bags handy in the car or near the front door??
2. You bring a reusable water bottle to school and totally avoid buying water or drinks that are bottled in single use bottles (ie: Gatorade, Dasani water). By the way, if you like Gatorade or sports drinks, save yourself $2-$3 and buy the Gatorade drink crystals at the store (it is WAAAAYYYY CHEAPER, and it's the same thing...!) Or you can also make your own "organic energy drink" by using water, grape or cranberry juice, sugar and a dash of salt. I have a recipe if you like... or you can google it I'm sure.
3. Be on the "light patrol" around the house. Turn off lights in rooms where there isn't anyone present...
note, I said rooms where there isn't anyone present... ie: don't madly turn off lights around the house while people are reading or doing homework in the name of the environment!! In addition to this, use energy efficient light bulbs, but of course this is something you can discuss with your parents.
4. Ride a bike, walk, skateboard... don't ask for a ride home if you can help it.
5. Pack a "garbage free" lunch. If you have prewrapped food, avoid these items and pack things that can be stored in reusable containers OR... if that's not always possible, then make sure your wrappers get home and get recycled... which brings me to my next point...
6. Become your family's "Recycling Guru"... Be the one in charge of the recycling. Be vigilant, be committed, get everyone on board. Yes I know, many people say they just don't have time to recycle... do we have time to waste when it comes to protecting the planet...
7. Use the dryer less, hang your clothes to dry (on clotheslines, hangers, racks for drying clothes). It saves energy and helps prevent your clothes from wearing out.
8. It's spring, and we don't think about turning up the heat as much, but you can remember in the winter, "Don't touch that thermostate... put on a sweater".
9. In the summer, think about doing energy efficient things to keep your house or apartment cool... Open windows at night and allow air to flow through the house, keep curtains clothes during the day (with the windows closed), try not to use the stove at night and make "cool suppers" (like salads, sandwiches etc.) or barbeque outside. Of course, don't do things like drying your clothes in the dryer when your trying to cool down the house.
10. Conserve water.... yes you are probably too young to think about purchasing low flow toilets or energy efficient appliances or cars just yet.... but there are a few things you can do...
- add bricks to your toilet tank to help use less water when flushing (Do you remember what we discussed in class)
- make sure taps are always turned off and not leaking
- keep a pitcher of cold water in the fridge (or it can be in a water filter - type pitcher), so that you run the tap less to get cold water for drinking.
- for those of you who wash or own clothes, use cold water to wash them. It also saves energy.
- if you have a lawn be conscientious about watering early in the morning or late at night... or better yet, plant a garden or xeroscape (did I spell that right) or do creative things with rock or wood chips in your yard... Yes I know it's hard to get away from having a lawn, especially with families... I decided that I would let our lawn become more "prairie like" but cutting it less ;-) !!
There's 10 off the top of my head... What else can you think of??? Please post your comments.
Here's a couple vid's to help get you thinking.
Why we Should Use Reusable Bags...
Why You Will Think Twice About Bottled Water...
www.thestoryofbottledwater.com
Strange Days for Planet Earth Video...
What is the North Pacific Tropical Gyre? Check it out...
Synthetic Sea...
CNN Report on Garbage Island
Blue Man Group Comment on Global Warming
Jack Johnson - 3R's
Madonna - Hey You
Yes, not a singer that has always deserved respect... but the song has a good message.
Dave Matthews - Don't Drink the Water
It's about rights to land in the Amazon, but some definite environment connections.
