What do you do to help the environment?

Distant Doris · #1 (**permalink**) 13-03-2006, 03:08 PM

Over the last couple of years, I have tried to adjust the way in which i live to lessen the impact on the environment. I recycle just about everything, walk when it's possible, insulate to save heat, turn off unnecessary lights, use the telly less and never leave it on standby, use low energy programmes on washing machines and feed the birds amongst other things. How do you help? Anymore ideas I can nick. DD

Captain Crosman · #2 (**permalink**) 23-07-2006, 10:02 PM

I like to go to my local creek and catch all sorts of different species of frogs, snakes, small animals etc. and take them to out to the State park which is pretected.

The creek I live by is really gone down hill in the last few year's. Creatures are dying from fires, kids with guns, bad managment etc.

I wouldn't take a animal out of its habitat if I knew it were safe.

paul m · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Crosman

I like to go to my local creek and catch all sorts of different species of frogs, snakes, small animals etc. and take them to out to the State park which is pretected.

The creek I live by is really gone down hill in the last few year's. Creatures are dying from fires, kids with guns, bad managment etc.

I wouldn't take a animal out of its habitat if I knew it were safe.

Yes, it's a shame that people don't look after their neighbourhood nature spots - a lot of people, I suppose think that the protected park is good enough but little places like your creek are just as important.
Well done - have you any pictures?

paul m · #4 (**permalink**) 11-12-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Distant Doris

Over the last couple of years, I have tried to adjust the way in which i live to lessen the impact on the environment. I recycle just about everything, walk when it's possible, insulate to save heat, turn off unnecessary lights, use the telly less and never leave it on standby, use low energy programmes on washing machines and feed the birds amongst other things. How do you help? Anymore ideas I can nick. DD

You're asking a lot but you're doing plenty there! As you say, just insulating the house properly and not wasting energy is critical. Little things like boiling water in an electric kettle rather than boiling it up in a saucepan for your veggies is much more efficient.
Big savings from growing your own crops - what you can't grow, buy locally and go for organic: less pollution and less energy use to create all the fertilisers and other chemicals.
If you can't walk, get a bike! Or at least catch the 'bus - never use the car unless you really have to; and use trains and boats for your holidays...
We'll get there!

callum_1 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 11:36 AM

i do loads for the environment since i found this new website. Before i didn't really care and i thought that noone really did anything for the environment so it didn't natter if i didn't either. However, after a friend introduced me to Live Earth Pledge Tree i have realised how much people do. I never knew what a diofference i could make and this website allowed me to make a pledge to do something good for the environment. I can't give up on it now that i have seen how much people are trying t o resolve the global warming situation. You can make any type of pledge and it has made me feel like a better person.

JoanB · #6 (**permalink**) 27-07-2007, 04:10 PM

One thing I'd like to do is 'grow my own' - save lots of food miles and also know what was going on to the fruit and veg!
Time, as always, is a big problem.

Anyone tried being self-sufficient?

paul m · #7 (**permalink**) 16-08-2007, 01:22 PM

Nowhere near to self-sufficiency but usually manage to keep ourselves in greenstuff through the year with peas/beans and other things in the summer. It does take time, as you say, but also space and luck - what I've grown this year would hardly make a couple of meals although the slugs have enjoyed it ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoanB

One thing I'd like to do is 'grow my own' - save lots of food miles and also know what was going on to the fruit and veg!
Time, as always, is a big problem.

Anyone tried being self-sufficient?

Wildcat · #8 (**permalink**) 25-09-2007, 05:06 PM

Im trying to come down on the use of electicity and with another son just left for Uni that will help from the use of the washing machine to the number of computers being used in the house..always checking for lights left on etc.
Im doing my bit in the way of recycling bits. . Not using the car too much depending on my feet to get me where i want to go ...great exercise for me and the Dog..

Will check out the site mentioned earlier and see what else
i can do ...

paul m · #9 (**permalink**) 25-09-2007, 08:22 PM

Welcome, Wildcat.
Yes, getting rid of the kids is a great way to cut down on energy bills - mind, they'll just take their bad habits somewhere else so does that really count?

I think you're right - just stop using the car as much as possible - saves money, keeps you fit and helps the environment!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildcat

Im trying to come down on the use of electicity and with another son just left for Uni that will help from the use of the washing machine to the number of computers being used in the house..always checking for lights left on etc.
Im doing my bit in the way of recycling bits. . Not using the car too much depending on my feet to get me where i want to go ...great exercise for me and the Dog..

Will check out the site mentioned earlier and see what else
i can do ...

KrisK · #10 (**permalink**) 04-12-2007, 01:56 PM

Yes we should but it seems that it is accustomed then to ignore the issue of the law being applied or not.

So is anyone ready to comment about the evidence that we have for permitting the practice for understanding where and how it would be accomplished to confront the responsible ones for what is shown in such pictures?

Yours sincerely,

KrisK

wild worlds · #11 (**permalink**) 05-12-2007, 02:05 PM

I re-cycle where possible, use energy saving light bulbs, walk to the shops rather than drive if I can, buy my veggies and meat from local sources, shower rather than bath. I make use of technology. I use conference calls rather than meetings, e mail rather than traditional. But I think that the most difficult thing for me has been cutting down on flights. I now try to do two or three jobs back to back so that I only have to take two flights ie one there and one back rather than several and I am looking into carbon offsetting, but I don’t know how good these schemes are. Do they do any good or do they just appear to do good. Would love to here from anyone with experience. WW

KrisK · #12 (**permalink**) 05-12-2007, 08:34 PM

... is the lawless age upon us really? What is it of my generation that passed as a legacy to it's YOUTH? There was demonstration at the province's legislature a week ago where it was demanded that a Uranium mine be closed. Should all such economic progress be shut?

Why can we not know what "Global warming" (which is not principly by the laws of Nature climate change yet) has for the showing that people are really a good human nature to the wealth of consisting progress for the Ethcs of Nature?

I am legit. Kris

Coley · #13 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 02:43 PM

You could use a microwave to boil a cup of tea as this only uses 800 watts instead of 3000 watts per second. That is if your making one or two cups, I don't recomed it if the family is round for a visit

Also, get a bicycle for the longer journeys It serves a double purpose keep fit while you get from A-B.

mtngoat · #14 (**permalink**) 24-03-2008, 05:40 PM

hmmnn.... we recycle whenever possible. We use compost in our gardens, try to plant veggies that won't ruin the natural habitat (well, in the city it's hard t'do so), follow the rules and regulations of the city, try to schedule when we go to the market, try not to interfere with animal life around us.

Doug Rempel · #15 (**permalink**) 31-03-2008, 10:55 PM

Hi there, my name is Doug and I'm currently building an energy efficient home in BC right now, on property that is "off the grid."

I'd like to invite you to have a look at my blog and watch my progress, as I build it from the ground up! Feedback and comments are more than welcome...

Going Green Off The Grid

Doug

Atlascaproni · #16 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 09:57 PM

I make videos about the INCREDIBLE animals around me, which you can find here

paul m · #17 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 08:41 AM

A bit late but tomorrow is World Environment Day.
World Environment Day | Stand Up to Climate Change
Anyone doing anything special?

WolvesxRxBeauty · #18 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:54 PM

Recycling is really good; but it's not just paper, glass ect. me and a bunch of freinds froms chhol have started a craft club, were we use junk that we can't find recycling bins for, and make them into modles! It is really fun! Any body else know of any creative ways of helping the enviroment?

paul m · #19 (**permalink**) 28-11-2008, 03:42 PM

Nature Canada Preservation Conservation Endangered Species Canada

Ways that you can enjoy Christmas (or whatever it is) without doing too much damage to the planet ....

gissele · #20 (**permalink**) 19-02-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Distant Doris

Over the last couple of years, I have tried to adjust the way in which i live to lessen the impact on the environment. I recycle just about everything, walk when it's possible, insulate to save heat, turn off unnecessary lights, use the telly less and never leave it on standby, use low energy programmes on washing machines and feed the birds amongst other things. How do you help? Anymore ideas I can nick. DD

I am using energy saving(CFL) lightbulbs in home. I've switched to solar water heating. I am using organic food and I recycle plastic bags and paper bags. Most often I use public transportation. I am following some eco friendly tips which are very useful.

BeWaterWise · #21 (**permalink**) 16-04-2009, 08:07 AM

I try to Conserve Water and Energy.
Considering the growing shortage of water in Southern California water conservation is very important. While you turn off the faucet and take shorter showers, there are dozens of other things that you can do to save water. For instance wash a full load of laundry/dish washer, check for leaks etc. If you go to Water Saving Tips you will see a water saving tips page that lists Indoor and Outdoor tips and how much water is saved with each one. These tips are really useful and you can save more than 100 gallons of water per day!

Outdoorluvr · #22 (**permalink**) 04-08-2009, 05:34 PM

Recently after having heard about the Ad Council's recent study stating that our kids spend 50% less time outdoors than they did 20 years ago, I've sought to make some changes.

I use the field guides on the Forest Service's website to help come up with activities to do outdoors which are both eco-friendly and fun. I feel promoting wildlife discovery, and just encouraging appreciation of the outdoors will guide our kids and ourselves to be more eco-friendly.