From all over the world, we have one thing that connects us all; the internet. So, on October 15th, we will use this tool, bloggers from all walks of life, to communicate one topic. One topic that affects us all, a topic that can easily go unnoticed, a topic that, if we don't do anything now, later, it will be too late...
We all remember in elementary school; our science class would go to the nearest lake or pond and pretend we were scientists observing the effects that the present state of the world has on our environment. Unfortunately, only a tiny fraction will grow up to be that scientist, the rest of us will go on living our lives with the deteriorating state of our very own environment, a small irrelevant thought in the back of our minds.
Well today, October 15th, 2007, bloggers will bond together in hopes to shine more light on the affects that we all have on the environment. Times are getting better, with hybrid cars and cities promoting carpooling and the use of public transportation; but is it too little too late? Maybe. But, I think we can all agree that too little too late is better than nothing at all.
One of the biggest factors of our environment is global warming; something that I think about more often than not. Every time I hear on the news that our ice caps are melting at an even faster rate than ever before, or even when I'm watching made for TV movies or theatrical trailers over exaggerating (or truthfully told) the consequence of our irresponsible natural lifestyle with the next ice age, tornadoes, soccer ball-sized hail and acid rain falling sporadically over our planet, you can't help but to think, "Can this really happen?"
I think we all know what state our environment is in and what can come from further neglect. I hope after reading this short article that you seriously take to heart what is going on. If every person who read a blog pertaining to the 10/15/07 Blog Action Day made even the most nominal change, think of what a great domino effect that can have! Below are just a few changes that you can do to help out.
You can...
- Make sure you clean or replace filters on your AC at least once a month.
- Turn off lights when you leave the room.
- Set your fridge between 36-38 and your freezer between 0-5.
- Always clean your lint filter in your dryer before each load.
- Unplug unused appliances.
- Use Energy Star appliances.
- Use compact fluorescent bulbs to save money and energy.
- After mowing the lawn, leave the cut grass, for it will decompose on its own.
- Recycle printer cartridges, batteries, cell phones, old TVs and computers.
- Pay attention to the news when they relay about air quality that day- if itís poor, try not using your wood burning fire place.
- Use solar power in the home.
- Use low-VOC or water based paints, stains, and strippers.
- Paint with brushes or rollers instead of spray paints to minimize harmful emissions.
- When lighting charcoal BBQs, try using an electric probe rather than a lighter and fluid.
- Use reusable plates and utensils rather than the disposable kinds.
- Reuse paper and plastic bags when you can.
- Use a canvas bag to shop for groceries rather than the plastic or paper they supply you with.
- Buy rechargeable batteries.
- Compost your vegetable scraps.
- Buy used furniture.
- Use recycled items.
- Recycle. Recycle. Recycle.