This is what I am doing to lower my carbon footprint and environmental impact:
- Flying less. I have not flown yet this year and have only one flight booked. This time last year, I was flying once or twice each week.
- Riding a bike to work, where possible.
- Clean diesel. I bought a car with a clean diesel engine.
- Turning off lights
- Turning appliances/electronics off, not leaving them on standby.
- Recycling: food, paper and cardboard
- Reduced packaging by buying fruit and vegetables from organic grocers or farmer’s markets. Surprisingly, this costs the same as the supermarket.
- Turning off the tap when brushing my teeth or washing up.
- Energy efficient computer and monitor. Replaced the old computer when it died with a greener one.
List Of Things I Still Need To Do:
- Use energy efficient light-bulbs
- Stop tumble drying clothes
- Move to a hybrid car
- Pay for the water I use rather than a flat rate
- Stop buying Pampers
I am sure I will think of other things to do.
8 comments
Comments feed for this article
February 10, 2007 at 2:51 pm
tamino
Congratulations. You don’t just talk the talk, you walk the walk. It really does make a difference; future generations will be grateful for your willingness to put your money where your mouth is.
Keep up the good work.
February 10, 2007 at 5:50 pm
neelarya
Thanks Tamino. Appreciate the support. I checked out your blog and was really impressed with the content and discussion. I have added it to my blogroll.
On Monday, I am hoping to get the go ahead for my downing st petition. I am then going to launch a campaign offering petitions for and against road pricing. If this can show that a significant amount of people are for reducing congestion and emissions then, hopefully, we can spark some debate.
As you point out, logical, rational and polite debate is key. We need leaders like Obama engaging in this kind of discussion at the top and people (like you and me) pushing it from the bottom up.
February 10, 2007 at 6:21 pm
inel
Good for you! You have encouraged me to add a list on my blog soon, of what my family is doing to combat climate change.
I am still working on a similar list (almost identical, actually) of things I need to do. Our tumble drier broke two weeks ago, and it was not as bad as I thought to do without but it did require more planning and I am glad it is fixed now
And now I am going to read about your road pricing petition …
February 10, 2007 at 7:13 pm
neelarya
Thanks for the feedback. If we each do our little bit, we can make a difference. Let us know when you have planted your two trees!
February 10, 2007 at 10:50 pm
the Wayfarer
I know that many people don’t like to address this issue, but meat production is a big part of environmental degradation. See Vegetarian is the New Prius. Even if you can’t bring yourself to vegetarianism, even a decrease in consumption can make a difference.
February 11, 2007 at 10:36 am
Trees, meat, diet-fads and climate change « inel
[...] Trees, meat, diet-fads and climate change February 11, 2007 at 3:35 pm | In Health, Question, Non-fiction, 2006, Biology, America, Meat, Diet, Trees, Climate change, Global warming, Britain, Library books, Climate challenge, Campaign, Science Education | Hi neelarya, [...]
February 11, 2007 at 11:09 am
neelarya
Thanks Wayfarer. I have to say I am a meat eater and I do enjoy meat but there are a lot of issues with the meat industry. As your link points out there is heavy resource utilisation and that has an environmental impact. Beyond that, animal rearing has really become distatesful: growth hormones, living conditions, etc. I have therefore reduced my consumption of animal products so that I can afford organic products made from animals that have lived decent lives and have been naturally reared.
February 11, 2007 at 9:39 pm
inel
ditto