So the subject of my 91st Green Tip (probably more than that, I tend to throw in uncounted freebie Green Tips (side note: "Uncounted Freebie Green Tips" sounds like either a 60's psychedelic band or some gross incurable disease you can pick up from the jungles of South America) every now and then) was inspired by a question that one of my loyal readers posed to me a few days ago. (+2 points and lots of kudos for anyone who followed the sentence structure of that first sentence.) The question (in my own words) was "Is it more environmentally friendly to park your car and walk in or go through the drive through when you're getting fast food?"
Good question! The simplest answer I can give is: "no." The simplest answer that I can give that actually answers the question is that unless you drive a car made in the 1960's (I don't care if that 1961 Corvair reminds you of the good old days when you played tambourine for the Uncounted Freebie Green Tips, you need to give it up!), it takes less fuel to start the car than most people realize. I've heard that if you're going to be idling your car for more than 30 seconds, you're better off just turning off the car and turning it back on again. It has to do with electric starters getting more efficient and all that junk.
So when you pull into your favorite Rally's (you're not going to eat anywhere else, are you?) if there's more than one car in line at the drive through, you're better off parking and going... in... Shoot! You can't go in at Rally's! I mean, you can always sit at the picnic tables they have, but really? Are we savages, eating outside?
Hm... what a dilemma... I guess I might have to revise my statements in Green Tip #29. Maybe Rally's isn't the best after all. That title might have to go to Sonic. Yes, it's true they take up more space, but I think the fact that you park your car and turn the engine off might make up for it in the long run. (Better yet, the retro style of Sonic makes that Corvair not seem out of place!)
One final caveat. The above rules don't apply for hybrid cars. The more you brake in those, the more you charge your batteries. That's why many hybrids get better gas mileage in cities than on highways. And when do you brake and go more than in drive through lines? (Me personally, if I had a hybrid, I'd probably gassing and breaking every 15 feet like a teenage driver the first time behind the wheel just to charge the battery enough that I'm essentially driving a Chevy Volt.)
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Green Tip #90: Milk
A few minutes ago, I faced a challenging decision. Well, I really faced two challenging decisions, but only one of them actually relates to Green Tip #90. The first decision (not environmentally related) was whether or not I should polish off the rest of the box of cookies that I had sitting in front of me. I mean, they're really good cookies and was I really expected to stop after just one?
But in more relevant news, I also had to make the decision about what to do with the milk that I wanted to drink with the cookies. Should I bother with getting a cup out of my cupboard and worry about having to wash it when I was done and waste water and soap? Or should I do the environmentally friendly thing and just drink right out of the carton?
Well, out of respect for my roommate, I chose to stick one more nail in the coffin of Mother Earth by using a cup. Sure, it was a horrible decision to have to make and one that I regretted for at least a few minutes. But all is good, I had my cookies as comfort food to make the pain go away.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is don't make decisions you're going to regret but if you do find yourself in that situation, just remember that delicious baked goods with M&Ms in them will make everything better!
But in more relevant news, I also had to make the decision about what to do with the milk that I wanted to drink with the cookies. Should I bother with getting a cup out of my cupboard and worry about having to wash it when I was done and waste water and soap? Or should I do the environmentally friendly thing and just drink right out of the carton?
Well, out of respect for my roommate, I chose to stick one more nail in the coffin of Mother Earth by using a cup. Sure, it was a horrible decision to have to make and one that I regretted for at least a few minutes. But all is good, I had my cookies as comfort food to make the pain go away.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is don't make decisions you're going to regret but if you do find yourself in that situation, just remember that delicious baked goods with M&Ms in them will make everything better!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Green Tip #89: Volcanology 101
By now I'm sure you've heard of the volcano that erupted in Iceland last week and disrupted air traffic all over Europe. There's been a lot of discussion about the environmental impact of this eruption but I think that there are a lot of aspects of it that are being overlooked in the news. This is what Green Tip #89 is all about. No one specific thing, but a few things that everyone needs to know about volcanoes.
First off, let me just say congratulate the media for something that they've been doing right. Go back and read Green Tip #38. The point that I made back then is the less characters you use when you're typing things, the better for the environment it will be. Less wear and tear on your keys, less electricity used to power your computer, etc. Well one of the things that I'm proud of the media for doing is never calling that Icelandic volcano by its name.
Eyjafjallajökull
Look at that thing. It's a monstrosity. It's the asian carp of words. Think of all the time and energy that is being saved by just calling it 'the volcano.' So once again, that'll do, Media. That'll do.
My second point has more of a traditional environmental message. One of the topics I hear often in the news is whether there is a net loss or gain of carbon dioxide being released into the air. Yes, less flights mean less CO2, but more people will be driving and the volcano itself released a lot of CO2. I think everyone's missing the point when they're discussing this. I think it's more important to think of hot dogs and s'mores.
Here we are, with the world's biggest camp fire and we're wasting a perfect opportunity. Start packing up all of the hot dogs and graham crackers and marshmallows and load up all the boats you can find and head over to Iceland. Think of all the wood and gasoline and other things that we can save by never having to start a campfire ever again! True, boy scouts and campers will miss out on the chance to sing camp songs, but they'll have a great opportunity to take a once in a lifetime field trip!
Anyway, happy Earth Days everyone! I don't celebrate just the one day because I think it gives people the excuse that they only have to care about the environment once a year. But I do acknowledge the good publicity the environmental movement gets and that can't be overlooked.
And don't forget to get those brackets filled out! There's a link on the right hand side of this page. The tournament begins May 19 with the match up between Recycling and Political Activism, so leave your comments about who you want to win!!!
First off, let me just say congratulate the media for something that they've been doing right. Go back and read Green Tip #38. The point that I made back then is the less characters you use when you're typing things, the better for the environment it will be. Less wear and tear on your keys, less electricity used to power your computer, etc. Well one of the things that I'm proud of the media for doing is never calling that Icelandic volcano by its name.
Eyjafjallajökull
Look at that thing. It's a monstrosity. It's the asian carp of words. Think of all the time and energy that is being saved by just calling it 'the volcano.' So once again, that'll do, Media. That'll do.
My second point has more of a traditional environmental message. One of the topics I hear often in the news is whether there is a net loss or gain of carbon dioxide being released into the air. Yes, less flights mean less CO2, but more people will be driving and the volcano itself released a lot of CO2. I think everyone's missing the point when they're discussing this. I think it's more important to think of hot dogs and s'mores.
Here we are, with the world's biggest camp fire and we're wasting a perfect opportunity. Start packing up all of the hot dogs and graham crackers and marshmallows and load up all the boats you can find and head over to Iceland. Think of all the wood and gasoline and other things that we can save by never having to start a campfire ever again! True, boy scouts and campers will miss out on the chance to sing camp songs, but they'll have a great opportunity to take a once in a lifetime field trip!
Anyway, happy Earth Days everyone! I don't celebrate just the one day because I think it gives people the excuse that they only have to care about the environment once a year. But I do acknowledge the good publicity the environmental movement gets and that can't be overlooked.
And don't forget to get those brackets filled out! There's a link on the right hand side of this page. The tournament begins May 19 with the match up between Recycling and Political Activism, so leave your comments about who you want to win!!!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Green Tip #88: Stop Having So Many Friends
For those of you who did a double take when you saw this and got worried that you forgot it's Tuesday and started panicking that you missed the newest episodes of 'Lost' and 'American Idol,' I just want to assure you that, yes, I am posting this on Monday night. I'm going to be busy tomorrow presenting my green research all day and wanted to get this one in early. (Don't be worried, you're not missing out on Green Tips that I'm not sharing with you. My day job is to come up with Practical Green Tips. Totally boring stuff you wouldn't be interested in.)
So yes, on to Green Tip #88. I was watching one of my favorite TV shows this afternoon and some of the characters were talking about marriages and how they were inviting so many people to the event. That got me thinking about the people that don't really have that many friends to invite to their weddings and how that might actually be good for the environment. Not just for weddings, but life in general.
Think about this: how many times have you been asked to visit an old college or high school friend that has moved out of town? All that gas being wasted driving all the way down there or flying out to wherever it is your friend lives. I say no more! It's time to cut those ties for the sake of the environment! Unless you live on an island (which you should), there's a good chance you live close enough to other people that you can find other friends that will fill the voids in your life. Ideally you'd only be friends with your neighbors, that way you can never have to drive to visit anyone.
So yeah, sorry everyone, I guess if you live more than 10 miles away from me, don't plan on seeing me anymore. We can still talk on the phone, though! Just keep the conversations short so I don't have to waste electricity charging my cell phone!
So yes, on to Green Tip #88. I was watching one of my favorite TV shows this afternoon and some of the characters were talking about marriages and how they were inviting so many people to the event. That got me thinking about the people that don't really have that many friends to invite to their weddings and how that might actually be good for the environment. Not just for weddings, but life in general.
Think about this: how many times have you been asked to visit an old college or high school friend that has moved out of town? All that gas being wasted driving all the way down there or flying out to wherever it is your friend lives. I say no more! It's time to cut those ties for the sake of the environment! Unless you live on an island (which you should), there's a good chance you live close enough to other people that you can find other friends that will fill the voids in your life. Ideally you'd only be friends with your neighbors, that way you can never have to drive to visit anyone.
So yeah, sorry everyone, I guess if you live more than 10 miles away from me, don't plan on seeing me anymore. We can still talk on the phone, though! Just keep the conversations short so I don't have to waste electricity charging my cell phone!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Green Tip #87: I've Got My Eyes On You...
Dear Readers... This doesn't happen very often, but I'm seriously disappointed in all of you. I gave you a simple task (move away from California) and you throw it back in my face, making things even worse than they already are. I really thought that after all this time you would understand that it's not what I'm saying that's important, it's the root cause of the problem that I'm trying to get at. But you clearly don't understand.
I read a disturbing article earlier this week that claims that The Devil Incarnate might have a twin. Yes, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (the bane of my existence) is not the only Great Oceanic Garbage Patch out there, lurking in the murky depths of our bordering oceans. Apparently scientists found that there is now a Great Atlantic Garbage Patch (GAG-P for short) made up of tiny bits of plastic floating just below the surface of the North Atlantic.
Here's where I get to the part where I give you The Lecture. Back in Green Tip #17, I told you to move away from California so you wouldn't be tempted to hurl your plastic junk into the ocean. (I know most plastic junk comes from China and Japan and maybe you just wanted to throw it in the Pacific Ocean to send it back to where it came from so they could make more plastic junk, but let me tell you... it doesn't work like that.) I didn't imply that you should move across the country just to hurl your plastic junk in the Atlantic! (Besides, how do you think it's going to get to China when Europe is in the way??)
Sigh... who am I kidding? I can't stay mad at you... It was a rookie mistake made last summer before you had learned all these wonderful Green Tips. And I guess I have to do what I always do and look on the bright side of things. This new finding may be just what we need in terms of good PR to fight global warming. After all these years we can finally clear the name of icebergs. You see, it was probably the GAG-P that sunk the Titanic back in 1912 and not an iceberg. Yes, all these years we've been wrongfully accusing icebergs of this heinous crime and ever since then we've been doing everything we can to eliminate them through Global Warming. No more polluting, I say!
Now, I know what you're thinking (maybe). "How could the GAG-P (made of plastic) be around 40 or more years before plastic was popular?" Remember what they say, "The greatest trick the Devil ever played was to convince the world that he didn't exist." GAG-P was around then, it just convinced everyone that it wasn't.
So there you have it. Oh wait, I never really gave you a Green Tip #87. Um... don't throw plastic junk in any ocean. You don't know how mad I'd be if I hear about some Great Indian Garbage Patch.
I read a disturbing article earlier this week that claims that The Devil Incarnate might have a twin. Yes, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (the bane of my existence) is not the only Great Oceanic Garbage Patch out there, lurking in the murky depths of our bordering oceans. Apparently scientists found that there is now a Great Atlantic Garbage Patch (GAG-P for short) made up of tiny bits of plastic floating just below the surface of the North Atlantic.
Here's where I get to the part where I give you The Lecture. Back in Green Tip #17, I told you to move away from California so you wouldn't be tempted to hurl your plastic junk into the ocean. (I know most plastic junk comes from China and Japan and maybe you just wanted to throw it in the Pacific Ocean to send it back to where it came from so they could make more plastic junk, but let me tell you... it doesn't work like that.) I didn't imply that you should move across the country just to hurl your plastic junk in the Atlantic! (Besides, how do you think it's going to get to China when Europe is in the way??)
Sigh... who am I kidding? I can't stay mad at you... It was a rookie mistake made last summer before you had learned all these wonderful Green Tips. And I guess I have to do what I always do and look on the bright side of things. This new finding may be just what we need in terms of good PR to fight global warming. After all these years we can finally clear the name of icebergs. You see, it was probably the GAG-P that sunk the Titanic back in 1912 and not an iceberg. Yes, all these years we've been wrongfully accusing icebergs of this heinous crime and ever since then we've been doing everything we can to eliminate them through Global Warming. No more polluting, I say!
Now, I know what you're thinking (maybe). "How could the GAG-P (made of plastic) be around 40 or more years before plastic was popular?" Remember what they say, "The greatest trick the Devil ever played was to convince the world that he didn't exist." GAG-P was around then, it just convinced everyone that it wasn't.
So there you have it. Oh wait, I never really gave you a Green Tip #87. Um... don't throw plastic junk in any ocean. You don't know how mad I'd be if I hear about some Great Indian Garbage Patch.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Green Tip #86: Stop Rooting for the Seattle Mariners
Okay, let me just preface this with a disclaimer that will be familiar to you by this point. I'm not singling out certain baseball teams because of any inherent flaws in the teams themselves. I have nothing but respect (indifference at worst) for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers or their players, coaches or fans. No, I have a problem with their cities.
Okay, second disclaimer. While I've never been to either Arlington, Texas or Seattle, Washington, I'd imagine that they're very pleasant and filled with very nice people and I'd be willing to bet that some of them are probably very environmentally friendly. (Just a hunch, but I'd wager that there are more in Seattle than Arlington. There are probably one or two in Arlington.) But despite what you very fine cities want, one of you is going to have to drop your Major League Baseball team.
The second most disturbing thing about MLB (after steroid use) is how far away these two teams are. I've included a map for those of you that are visual learners.
Look at that! While it is true that it's much farther (and thus uses more airplane gas) when teams like New York and Los Angeles play each other, Seattle and Texas are in the same division, which means they play each other much more often than other teams.
So I can only see two ways to handle this that will save fuel. Either the Mariners move to Albuquerque or the Rangers move to Portland. And because either team would be hilarious if it moved to the other city (the Albuquerque Mariners in the middle of the desert or the Portland Rangers in the Pacific Northwest) it's hard to chose which one should be the one to start packing their bags.
So we do what the judges do and look up past situations that were similar. And oh, look! Seattle's no stranger to losing a team to the South. A few years back, the Seattle Supersonics NBA team gathered their stuff and moved down to Oklahoma City to become the Oklahoma City Thunder. And while the Thunder didn't do so hot their first year in operation, they are poised to make it into the playoffs this year.
So come fall of 2012, I'm putting money on the Albuquerque Mariners to make it to the playoffs and saving a heap of money and gas in the process!!
Okay, second disclaimer. While I've never been to either Arlington, Texas or Seattle, Washington, I'd imagine that they're very pleasant and filled with very nice people and I'd be willing to bet that some of them are probably very environmentally friendly. (Just a hunch, but I'd wager that there are more in Seattle than Arlington. There are probably one or two in Arlington.) But despite what you very fine cities want, one of you is going to have to drop your Major League Baseball team.
The second most disturbing thing about MLB (after steroid use) is how far away these two teams are. I've included a map for those of you that are visual learners.
Look at that! While it is true that it's much farther (and thus uses more airplane gas) when teams like New York and Los Angeles play each other, Seattle and Texas are in the same division, which means they play each other much more often than other teams.
So I can only see two ways to handle this that will save fuel. Either the Mariners move to Albuquerque or the Rangers move to Portland. And because either team would be hilarious if it moved to the other city (the Albuquerque Mariners in the middle of the desert or the Portland Rangers in the Pacific Northwest) it's hard to chose which one should be the one to start packing their bags.
So we do what the judges do and look up past situations that were similar. And oh, look! Seattle's no stranger to losing a team to the South. A few years back, the Seattle Supersonics NBA team gathered their stuff and moved down to Oklahoma City to become the Oklahoma City Thunder. And while the Thunder didn't do so hot their first year in operation, they are poised to make it into the playoffs this year.
So come fall of 2012, I'm putting money on the Albuquerque Mariners to make it to the playoffs and saving a heap of money and gas in the process!!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Green Tip #85: Base Jump
One of the topics that I feel that I've been sort of neglecting in this blog is the topic of transportation. Just think about how much time that you waste every day commuting to and from work every day. And all the gas that you waste sitting in traffic during rush hour? There's no way that can be good for the environment. And while Green Tip #85 is only a half baked idea, I can save you that annoying commute from work.
While it is mildly... let's say... illegal, base jumping may be a good way for you to avoid driving home from work. I guess this only works if you work in a skyscraper of some sort high rise building, but at the end of the day, all you need to do is climb up to the roof of your building and hop off the edge.
Oh, and make sure you have a parachute, otherwise you won't make it anywhere farther than the morgue. Maybe the hospital. Heck, if you live next to a hospital, that might be a good way to avoid paying for gas. Just have the ambulance drive you to right next door to your house.
There are a few conditions to the base jumping, though. First off, you're going to have to take public transportation (which is certainly a benefit), because if you drive your car to work every day but parachute back home, you're only going to make it about one day before you realize that you can't get to work on the second day. Secondly, you had better have comfortable clothes for work, because I can definitely tell you how uncomfortable it is to parachute wearing a suit. Oh, no, wait, I can't...
Don't forget to fill out your brackets everyone!!! May 19th is going to come sooner than you think!!
While it is mildly... let's say... illegal, base jumping may be a good way for you to avoid driving home from work. I guess this only works if you work in a skyscraper of some sort high rise building, but at the end of the day, all you need to do is climb up to the roof of your building and hop off the edge.
Oh, and make sure you have a parachute, otherwise you won't make it anywhere farther than the morgue. Maybe the hospital. Heck, if you live next to a hospital, that might be a good way to avoid paying for gas. Just have the ambulance drive you to right next door to your house.
There are a few conditions to the base jumping, though. First off, you're going to have to take public transportation (which is certainly a benefit), because if you drive your car to work every day but parachute back home, you're only going to make it about one day before you realize that you can't get to work on the second day. Secondly, you had better have comfortable clothes for work, because I can definitely tell you how uncomfortable it is to parachute wearing a suit. Oh, no, wait, I can't...
Don't forget to fill out your brackets everyone!!! May 19th is going to come sooner than you think!!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Not a Green Tip #2: May Madness
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've been waiting almost 12 hours for has finally arrived!!! The HUUUUUUGE announcement that I promised last night is about to be unveiled!!!
I know many people who feel like there is a huge void in their lives after March Madness ends. "What am I going to talk to my co-workers about now?" they might think. "If I can't complain about Kansas being eliminated way too early and my bracket being worthless, what am I going to complain about?? Gas prices aren't high enough and the weather's just too darn good! I guess I could complain about Duke winning, but that only goes so far."Well good news, hypothetical person! Starting May 19th, the IGR will begin the first annual (possibly not annual) IGR Best Green Ideas Tournament, lovingly nicknamed "May Madness"!!!!
There are four "regions" with 8 Green Ideas in each. Here is a breakdown of the seeds:
Green Practices Region:
(1) Recycling
(2) Reducing / Reusing
(3) Paperless Living
(4) Wetland Conservation
(5) LEED Certification
(6) Wildlife Conservation
(7) Energy Star Rating
(8) Political Activism
Green Travel Region:
(1) Bikes
(2) Electric Vehicles
(3) Hybrid Vehicles
(4) Biofuels
(5) Trains
(6) Walking
(7) Carbon Offsets
(8) Buses
Green Energy Region:
(1) Wind Power
(2) Solar Power
(3) Waste to Energy
(4) Hydroelectric Power
(5) Offshore Wind Power
(6) Geothermal Energy
(7) Nuclear Power
(8) Tidal Power
Green Products Region:
(1) Low Energy Lighting
(2) Canvas Bags
(3) Recycled Products
(4) Insulation
(5) High Efficiency Toilets
(6) Rechargeable Batteries
(7) Carbon Credits
(8) Organic Food
So there you have it. In addition to the regular Tuesday/Friday Green Tips, I will be selecting one match up ever Wednesday and Saturday. The two ideas will go head to head and be judged (by me) in the areas of Impact on the Environment (15 points), Practicality (ironic, right?) (10 points), Sustainability (10 points), and Awesomeness (10 points).
Additionally, user input will give up to an additional 5 points. If you feel one idea should win over the other simply comment about which one is better at any time before that match up. So for example, the match up between (1) Recycling and (8) Political Activism will be on May 19th. Simply comment on any post before that time about which one you want to win. Ideas can earn one point for each comment from a unique user up to five points. The winner is the one with more points overall and will advance to the next round to face the winner of the other match up and so on until we have one champion.
So get those brackets filled out, everyone!!! If you'd like an Excel version of the bracket, let me know and I can get that to you.
Have fun, and may the best Green Idea win!!!!
I know many people who feel like there is a huge void in their lives after March Madness ends. "What am I going to talk to my co-workers about now?" they might think. "If I can't complain about Kansas being eliminated way too early and my bracket being worthless, what am I going to complain about?? Gas prices aren't high enough and the weather's just too darn good! I guess I could complain about Duke winning, but that only goes so far."Well good news, hypothetical person! Starting May 19th, the IGR will begin the first annual (possibly not annual) IGR Best Green Ideas Tournament, lovingly nicknamed "May Madness"!!!!
There are four "regions" with 8 Green Ideas in each. Here is a breakdown of the seeds:
Green Practices Region:
(1) Recycling
(2) Reducing / Reusing
(3) Paperless Living
(4) Wetland Conservation
(5) LEED Certification
(6) Wildlife Conservation
(7) Energy Star Rating
(8) Political Activism
Green Travel Region:
(1) Bikes
(2) Electric Vehicles
(3) Hybrid Vehicles
(4) Biofuels
(5) Trains
(6) Walking
(7) Carbon Offsets
(8) Buses
Green Energy Region:
(1) Wind Power
(2) Solar Power
(3) Waste to Energy
(4) Hydroelectric Power
(5) Offshore Wind Power
(6) Geothermal Energy
(7) Nuclear Power
(8) Tidal Power
Green Products Region:
(1) Low Energy Lighting
(2) Canvas Bags
(3) Recycled Products
(4) Insulation
(5) High Efficiency Toilets
(6) Rechargeable Batteries
(7) Carbon Credits
(8) Organic Food
So there you have it. In addition to the regular Tuesday/Friday Green Tips, I will be selecting one match up ever Wednesday and Saturday. The two ideas will go head to head and be judged (by me) in the areas of Impact on the Environment (15 points), Practicality (ironic, right?) (10 points), Sustainability (10 points), and Awesomeness (10 points).
Additionally, user input will give up to an additional 5 points. If you feel one idea should win over the other simply comment about which one is better at any time before that match up. So for example, the match up between (1) Recycling and (8) Political Activism will be on May 19th. Simply comment on any post before that time about which one you want to win. Ideas can earn one point for each comment from a unique user up to five points. The winner is the one with more points overall and will advance to the next round to face the winner of the other match up and so on until we have one champion.
So get those brackets filled out, everyone!!! If you'd like an Excel version of the bracket, let me know and I can get that to you.
Have fun, and may the best Green Idea win!!!!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Green Tip #84: Hold It
Honestly, I can't believe that I haven't thought of this one sooner. Considering how much I talk about the subject, it's frankly quite amazing that this one wouldn't come up until the 84th Green Tip.
Those of you who are regular readers know that one of the subjects that I bring up very often is how you should manage your restroom use. Just recently I talked about how and when you should take showers and I'm realizing that I've talked about bathroom use so often that I've created a contradiction. In Green Tip #24, I mentioned how some people think that peeing in the shower can save water use but I also talked about how you should stop taking showers in Green Tip #19, so what are people to do? If you never take showers, when are you supposed to pee? It's not like you can just hold it for the rest of your life.
Or can you......
No, that's not what Green Tip #84 is about. The second to last thing I want people to have is urinary tract infections (the last being SUVs, of course). But Green Tip #84 is about holding it, just not forever. Think about this, if everyone went from peeing 6 times a day to 5 times a day, that would be 300,000,000 people x 1.6 gallons gallons per flush = 480,000,000 gallons per day just in the US that would be saved. To put that in context, that's how much water a person uses in about 16,438 years. This also comes out to around 1473 acre-feet if you need to think of it that way.
So yeah, sorry about getting all mathematical on you. It seems to happen when I'm talking about restroom use... Just remember to take one for the team and hold it for just a teeny little bit longer. It's either this or start employing the "If it's yellow let it mellow..." rule and who really wants to deal with that?
Those of you who are regular readers know that one of the subjects that I bring up very often is how you should manage your restroom use. Just recently I talked about how and when you should take showers and I'm realizing that I've talked about bathroom use so often that I've created a contradiction. In Green Tip #24, I mentioned how some people think that peeing in the shower can save water use but I also talked about how you should stop taking showers in Green Tip #19, so what are people to do? If you never take showers, when are you supposed to pee? It's not like you can just hold it for the rest of your life.
Or can you......
No, that's not what Green Tip #84 is about. The second to last thing I want people to have is urinary tract infections (the last being SUVs, of course). But Green Tip #84 is about holding it, just not forever. Think about this, if everyone went from peeing 6 times a day to 5 times a day, that would be 300,000,000 people x 1.6 gallons gallons per flush = 480,000,000 gallons per day just in the US that would be saved. To put that in context, that's how much water a person uses in about 16,438 years. This also comes out to around 1473 acre-feet if you need to think of it that way.
So yeah, sorry about getting all mathematical on you. It seems to happen when I'm talking about restroom use... Just remember to take one for the team and hold it for just a teeny little bit longer. It's either this or start employing the "If it's yellow let it mellow..." rule and who really wants to deal with that?
Friday, April 2, 2010
Green Tip #83: Green Easter
Happy Holy Triduum everyone! It's almost time for Easter and you know what that means! Candy and egg hunts and ham and spending time with your family and all those good things. In fact, people can be so busy with all of the festivities that they forget about the impact that they are having on the environment. And in the tradition of all of the other holidays that have come before it, I am here to offer some solutions.
First off, let's talk about plastic. Easter is notorious for needlessly making things that exist in real life out of plastic. I completely understand plastic bags and plastic drinking bottles because you can't just walk outside and grab some natural bags or pick some natural drinking bottles off of a tree or a bush. But plastic grass??? Unless you happen to be completing your stay on the International Space Station, there's a good chance you can walk out your front door and find grass within 30 seconds. (If you're on the ISS, please don't walk out your front door. I don't see that going well.)
But seriously, normally I don't advocate tearing up greenery, but it's better than going to the store and paying money for something that's you could get right outside that you'll end up throwing away anyway. And while I'm on the subject of plastic things, what about those plastic eggs that people (I mean the Easter Bunny) fill with candy and hide. So we suddenly don't have any real eggs to use any more? I know it will be a little trickier filling them with candy, but I have an answer to that as well.
Do you know how Fabergé eggs are made? First off, you poke a small hole in each end of an egg. Then you blow in one end until all the yolk and white come out the other hole. Now be very careful you don't break the shell, because you're going to want to fill it with melted chocolate. Stick that in the freezer for a bit and presto! You've got an all natural alternative to those little plastic eggs. And what kid doesn't like misshapen lumps of chocolate that taste vaguely egg-ish?
Finally, what would Easter be without those yummy marshmallow Peeps? Well, sometimes people can get overwhelmed by the sheer number of the squishy little sugary treats and not know what to do with the leftovers once their hunger for marshmallowy goodness has been satiated. Well, I've spoken about this before, but when you think about it, marshmallow Peeps and fiberglass insulation share a lot in common. They're both soft and fluffy and can come in pink and yellow and white. That and your body probably can't break down either one of them when you eat them. Peeps would make the perfect insulation for your house!
So there you have it! Some simple ways to make your holiday just a little bit better for the environment. And don't forget what Easter is about; Jesus' death and resurrection. Seems to me that Jesus was a very early advocate for recycling...
Sorry... I know that was horrible...
First off, let's talk about plastic. Easter is notorious for needlessly making things that exist in real life out of plastic. I completely understand plastic bags and plastic drinking bottles because you can't just walk outside and grab some natural bags or pick some natural drinking bottles off of a tree or a bush. But plastic grass??? Unless you happen to be completing your stay on the International Space Station, there's a good chance you can walk out your front door and find grass within 30 seconds. (If you're on the ISS, please don't walk out your front door. I don't see that going well.)
But seriously, normally I don't advocate tearing up greenery, but it's better than going to the store and paying money for something that's you could get right outside that you'll end up throwing away anyway. And while I'm on the subject of plastic things, what about those plastic eggs that people (I mean the Easter Bunny) fill with candy and hide. So we suddenly don't have any real eggs to use any more? I know it will be a little trickier filling them with candy, but I have an answer to that as well.
Do you know how Fabergé eggs are made? First off, you poke a small hole in each end of an egg. Then you blow in one end until all the yolk and white come out the other hole. Now be very careful you don't break the shell, because you're going to want to fill it with melted chocolate. Stick that in the freezer for a bit and presto! You've got an all natural alternative to those little plastic eggs. And what kid doesn't like misshapen lumps of chocolate that taste vaguely egg-ish?
Finally, what would Easter be without those yummy marshmallow Peeps? Well, sometimes people can get overwhelmed by the sheer number of the squishy little sugary treats and not know what to do with the leftovers once their hunger for marshmallowy goodness has been satiated. Well, I've spoken about this before, but when you think about it, marshmallow Peeps and fiberglass insulation share a lot in common. They're both soft and fluffy and can come in pink and yellow and white. That and your body probably can't break down either one of them when you eat them. Peeps would make the perfect insulation for your house!
So there you have it! Some simple ways to make your holiday just a little bit better for the environment. And don't forget what Easter is about; Jesus' death and resurrection. Seems to me that Jesus was a very early advocate for recycling...
Sorry... I know that was horrible...
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