 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Anki King
Suggestions for 2009 New Years Resolutions:
Little things you can do for yourself and the world
Avoid Plastics
·The smaller plastic is the more it harms the ocean and the life in it so avoid small plastic beads in exfoliating
face and body washes, find something with a natural exfoliate. Also check for biodegradable containers.
· Don't use plastic beads for jewelry making – use glass, ceramic and metal instead.
·Hard plastic (Nalgens) may contain Bisphenol A which releases dangerous gases into foods/drinks. Avoid
cans/jars with recycling label 7.
·Don't take more plastic knives and forks than you need when you order food. If you order to take home –
you don't need any.
·Bring your own bag to the grocery store or re-use plastic bags.
·Use a metal lunch box and wrap your food in wax paper instead of plastic.
·Fill up your own water bottle instead of buying new ones. A stainless steel bottle might be the best option.
·Wherever you can find it use biodegradable alternatives to plastic.
2.Save Water
·Turn off running water while brushing teeth and when shaving
·Don't use running water for dishes, fill up the sink
·Flush less
·Fix any leaks around your sinks and toilets
3.Air Pollution
·Use public transportation
If you have to drive, maybe someone is going your way and you can share a ride?
·If you are buying a car, buy a smaller, more fuel friendly car from a company that do research on biofuel
options. A hybrid or biodiesel car is cheaper to drive and much nicer to the environment
·Eat less meat (see #5)
4.Heating Your Home
·Check for green options:
Solar power, wood burning water heaters
·Seal windows and doors.
·Throw some blankets around your water heater.
·If you have high ceilings, get a fan to bring the raising hot air back down.
·If you are building or plan to build a house make sure you get a green plan for heating and cooling. It ends
up being much cheaper
5.Eat Less Meat
·This is not just good for your personal health, but it is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce
your carbon footprint. A 2006 United Nations report found that the meat industry produces more
greenhouse gases than all the SUVs, cars, trucks, planes, and ships in the world combined.
·Help feed the world - It takes up to 16-20 pounds of grain to produce just 1 pound of edible animal flesh.
There is enough grain produced to feed the whole world.
·Save land and animals – less forest will be cut to produce grains for livestock and thereby more endangered
species will be saved. You would also save fish as 1/3 of all fish pulled from the ocean currently becomes
cattle feed.
·A smaller meat industry would also result in less cruelty to the farmed animals.
·Save water – the cattle industry uses a large amount of water
6.Buy Natural Fibers and Reuse Fabrics
·Avoid leather though, unless it is from a place connected to the food industry dedicated to using all the
parts of the animal.
·Reuse and trade instead of buying new
·Organic might be more expensive now, but is cheaper in the long run
7.Appliances
.Only run the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads
·Get a drying rack and air dry your clothes instead of using the dryer
·Shut off your computer when you are out and at night
8.Recycle
·Make sure you recycle all your paper, plastic, metal and glass
·Pay bills online and save paper
·If you have a garden, make a compost area
9.Make Children Aware
·explain to them how they can help and make it a habit to talk about how they can make a difference.
Some websites to look at:
www.time.com/time/specials
www.slate.com
seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/326907_plastic09
www.foodproductiondaily.com/Supply-Chain/Potential-danger-in-plastic-food-packaging
planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/home-heating/home-heating-basics.html
www.earthsave.org/environment.htm
With love and wishes of a bright future
Anki
Little things you can do for yourself and the world
Avoid Plastics
·The smaller plastic is the more it harms the ocean and the life in it so avoid small plastic beads in exfoliating
face and body washes, find something with a natural exfoliate. Also check for biodegradable containers.
· Don't use plastic beads for jewelry making – use glass, ceramic and metal instead.
·Hard plastic (Nalgens) may contain Bisphenol A which releases dangerous gases into foods/drinks. Avoid
cans/jars with recycling label 7.
·Don't take more plastic knives and forks than you need when you order food. If you order to take home –
you don't need any.
·Bring your own bag to the grocery store or re-use plastic bags.
·Use a metal lunch box and wrap your food in wax paper instead of plastic.
·Fill up your own water bottle instead of buying new ones. A stainless steel bottle might be the best option.
·Wherever you can find it use biodegradable alternatives to plastic.
2.Save Water
·Turn off running water while brushing teeth and when shaving
·Don't use running water for dishes, fill up the sink
·Flush less
·Fix any leaks around your sinks and toilets
3.Air Pollution
·Use public transportation
If you have to drive, maybe someone is going your way and you can share a ride?
·If you are buying a car, buy a smaller, more fuel friendly car from a company that do research on biofuel
options. A hybrid or biodiesel car is cheaper to drive and much nicer to the environment
·Eat less meat (see #5)
4.Heating Your Home
·Check for green options:
Solar power, wood burning water heaters
·Seal windows and doors.
·Throw some blankets around your water heater.
·If you have high ceilings, get a fan to bring the raising hot air back down.
·If you are building or plan to build a house make sure you get a green plan for heating and cooling. It ends
up being much cheaper
5.Eat Less Meat
·This is not just good for your personal health, but it is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce
your carbon footprint. A 2006 United Nations report found that the meat industry produces more
greenhouse gases than all the SUVs, cars, trucks, planes, and ships in the world combined.
·Help feed the world - It takes up to 16-20 pounds of grain to produce just 1 pound of edible animal flesh.
There is enough grain produced to feed the whole world.
·Save land and animals – less forest will be cut to produce grains for livestock and thereby more endangered
species will be saved. You would also save fish as 1/3 of all fish pulled from the ocean currently becomes
cattle feed.
·A smaller meat industry would also result in less cruelty to the farmed animals.
·Save water – the cattle industry uses a large amount of water
6.Buy Natural Fibers and Reuse Fabrics
·Avoid leather though, unless it is from a place connected to the food industry dedicated to using all the
parts of the animal.
·Reuse and trade instead of buying new
·Organic might be more expensive now, but is cheaper in the long run
7.Appliances
.Only run the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads
·Get a drying rack and air dry your clothes instead of using the dryer
·Shut off your computer when you are out and at night
8.Recycle
·Make sure you recycle all your paper, plastic, metal and glass
·Pay bills online and save paper
·If you have a garden, make a compost area
9.Make Children Aware
·explain to them how they can help and make it a habit to talk about how they can make a difference.
Some websites to look at:
www.time.com/time/specials
www.slate.com
seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/326907_plastic09
www.foodproductiondaily.com/Supply-Chain/Potential-danger-in-plastic-food-packaging
planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/home-heating/home-heating-basics.html
www.earthsave.org/environment.htm
With love and wishes of a bright future
Anki
| © MMVIV, The New York Optimist LLC. All Rights Reserved. The New York Optimist & www.thenewyorkoptimist.com is a registered trademark of The New York Optimist LLC. The New York Optimist is a registered service mark of Thenewyorkoptimist.com. The New York Optimist logo and original photos are a registered trademark of The New York Optimist LLC. All other photos are property of the advertiser. And are rightfully protected under their copywright protections. |
If you have a suggestion please let us know
| The New York Optimist |
