In the face of $5.00 a gallon gasoline prices and ever rising energy costs the talk of going green is everywhere. I recently read that Toyota is having trouble keeping up with demand on it’s popular Hybrid the Prius. Hallelujah! Good job consumers. I’d love to have one myself, but had to face the reality, a $22,000 car just isn’t in my budget. When we were in the market for a car this last January, I did the best I could. Our car is a 2003 Nissen Altima and gets a bit over 30 mpg on the freeway. I tested it on my trip to Tennessee last month.
Other ways we are going green include:
Growing our own fruits and veggies
We planted two trees this spring
We compost
We only use those CFL light bulbs
I recycle my ink cartridges (I just mail them to HP)
Most of our electronics are on power strips to avoid vampire usage
Here is a big one. Everyday we see how long we can last until we have to turn the air conditioner on. It is so tempting to just leave the dang thing on all day and night here in Southeast Louisiana. A few days ago it got close to 100 degrees and yes it is very humid here. I am pleased to say we made it the whole day air conditioner less. The more we do with out the air, the more tolerable the heat is. (I can actually hear my friend Lisa thinking, “I am so not visiting her now.” Not to worry, when you come visit, we will turn the air on for you sissies. 🙂
There are lots more things we could do to reduce our own personal carbon footprint, unfortunately we just can’t afford to do them at this time. So while we save up to do some of those things, like more energy efficient appliances and windows, we will be purchasing carbon offsets. Click here to calculate your footprint. Basically the money spent on carbon offsets goes toward developing and maintaining renewable energy projects. Our Footprint ranks an 8, still higher than the national average, and we don’t even commute to work. We still have much work to do.
Post the ways you are going green. I am always on the look out for things we can do better.
One last thing, Greg has some ideas on what those of you with SUVs can do with them when you can no longer afford to drive them.
1) Gut them and turn them into a green house. The beauty of this is when the sun shifts, you can move them to better sun conditions.
2) Gut it and install a water holding tank. Thermal water heating. We all know how hot those things get in the summer.
3) Low cost student housing
4) Great sports bar, big cushy chairs, air conditioning, cup holders, and built in TV screens
5) Or maybe a SUV house for kids, you know, like a fort. Just keep the windows rolled down, they will be fine. Instead of a tree house, it’s a SUV house.
Cool inks:
Greg wants one of these: Aptera
