I need help on a little more green ideas

Rory Short

Environmentalists need to work at every level from the individual through the national to the global. At levels above the individual what we are trying to do is to shift collective mindsets in an enviromentally appropriate directions. At a global level you could become involved in things like The World Wildlife Fund. At a national, and also at a global level, you could become involved in the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation [Simpol]. Google for these web sites.

How about commuting? Take the bus or train if there is one. Ride a bike. If you don't want to arrive too sweaty, ride an electric bike. I do 8 miles each way and it's great. You could also share a ride. Almost every car I see in the morning has only 1 person in it. Best of all is to e-commute.

Something you can do is send out a chain email with a challenge like once a week go around your block picking up any trash you see for like maybe a month or so and then say if you pass that challenge add a week and keep doing so then it might become a game of some sort between friends and then people will love to help their enviroment. They won't even know they're helping it. I just tryed my own idea and I don't know if it has worked yet but I have a feeling that it will

You're on the right path. The first step is the desire to do more. There are so many different paths to take. Check with your hauling company, or your local municipalities, to see what ideas they have on recycling. CFL's (compact flourecent lamps) are a great way to save some energy around the house. But, remember that when it comes time to change them out, that they do contain a small amout of mercury and other hazardous substances, so they must be recycled and not sent to the landfill! Ceiling fans will help keep your home feel cooler, thus allowing you to raise your thermostat. Line drying your clothes or rack drying your dishes, is another idea. You may look into starting a compost pile to help reduce yard waste, as well as many food scraps (excluding any meat, fish or dairy products). Keep your filters changed! Whether in your house or your car, if it needs air, and it has to work at getting it, it's costing energy. A programable thermostat (at today's electrical prices) will pay for itself in just one summer! Water saving shower heads and faucets... The list is endless.

---If you wish to improve, you must be content with being thought foolish and stupid.

I find recycling is made easy when I can see the bins near my trash can. That way I don't throw anything plastic or glass or aluminum into the trash, they go right into the bin for recycling.