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38 ways to be kind to Mother Earth
| Saturday, Apr 21 2007 9:30 PM
Last Updated: Saturday, Apr 21 2007 10:20 PM
Even if you don't believe in global warming, or that humans are the cause, what's the downside in being kinder to the environment where you can? If we each make small changes, we can have a big impact.
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One way to tackle global warming is to cut the amount of greenhouse gases -- carbon dioxide, methane and a host of others -- that we produce.
But doing things to reduce air pollution and conserve water also help. Research shows that smog and small particles of dust and soot in our air are not just bad for our health but also contribute to warming. And pumping, purifying and heating water takes a lot energy, which in turn creates greenhouse gases and air pollution.
On the 38th anniversary of Earth Day, we've come up with 38 ways we can all be a bit gentler to the planet.
In your yard
Go electric. Trade in your gas-powered lawn mower for an electric one. From now through May 31, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District will issue vouchers for an electric mower when you recycle your gas-powered model. The voucher explains how turn in your old model to be recycled. Once that's done, you can then purchase an electric mower for about $150. They usually retail for about $420.
Electric mowers work just as well and pollute less. Even a small gas-powered mower can produce 40 times the pollution of a newer car, according to the air district. For more information on the trade-in program, call 326-6900 or visit www.valleyair.org.
2. While you're at it, ditch the leaf blower and grab a rake.
Leaf blowers are perhaps the most obnoxious lawn care tools. Not only do they spew 80 times the pollution of a newer car, but they also kick up dust and other particles that foul our air and can aggravate respiratory problems. There are electric blowers, but the air district doesn't have a program to exchange those because even electric blowers create air problems by kicking up dust. Plus, they're noisy.
3. Make your yard low-maintenance. This means working with nature.
* Consider a xeriscape yard. Xeriscape, from the Greek word xeros, or "dry," is a landscape concept that emphasizes plants that are native or adaptive to the natural surroundings and require minimal water. This doesn't mean you have to fill the yard with rocks and cactus.
There are a variety of lush plants and ground covers that can survive in our desert conditions on very little water. You don't have to tear out every blade of grass, either. By minimizing grass areas and filling in the rest with plants suited to the water and soil conditions, your yard will require less fertilizer chemicals and water. For more information: www.xeriscape.org.
* If xeriscaping is not an option, you can still improve the health and appearance of your lawn while conserving natural resources. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to enrich the soil. And when buying new plants, ask for varieties that are pest- and disease-resistant to avoid pesticides. Review the practices in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's GreenScapes programs at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/green/index.htm
4. Skip the charcoal and go for a propane or gas grill.
Charcoal might make your burger taste great, but it burns dirty, producing tiny soot particles that pollute the air and aggravate respiratory problems.
5. Use outdoor solar lights to light your backyard or walkway. It's free electricity.
Plant a tree.
It's true, they do emit some of the same pollutants as dairies and power plants. And a recent study by researchers at Stanford University and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory shows trees in some parts of the world absorb heat and may contribute to global warming.
But planting trees in Bakersfield is still a good thing, according to air district officials. Trees absorb all types of pollutants, including those that cause smog, which is one of the valley's worst air problems. By providing shade, trees also help cut heat from surfaces such as parking lots.
At home
7. Recycle. It's not as easy to do in Bakersfield as in other cities, but it can be done.
And it's worth it. Chances are, what you don't recycle ends up in the landfill. When you recycle, you conserve energy and reduce pollution and greenhouse gases, according to the EPA.
Metro Bakersfield residents have to pay to participate in the curbside recycling program. However, the city recently voted to reduce the rate from $80 a year to $48 effective July 1. Bakersfield residents who live in unincorporated parts of Kern County can also get the service through the county, though their rate remains $80 a year.
To sign up for curbside recycling in metro Bakersfield, call:
* Kern County Waste Management, 322-6863
* City of Bakersfield Solid Waste Division, 326-3114
If you don't want to pay, you can take your recycling to one of several drop-off locations throughout Bakersfield and Kern County, where churches and other nonprofits redeem the materials for money. To find drop-off locations, call 862-8979 or visit: www.co.kern.ca.us/wmd/Services/Drop/ drop.html#top.
8. On your next trip to the store, recycle the plastic grocery bags from your previous trip.
Albertsons, WinCo, Green Frog and Vons have recycling collection at their stores for plastic grocery bags. In addition, Vons said it will accept any type of plastic film, including dry cleaning bags and the plastic sleeve your newspaper comes in.
9. Cash in your bottles.
Instead of tossing beverage containers in the trash, start a collection in the garage and take them to a buy-back center. Until July, you can get more cash back for your bottles than the deposit you pay at the store. The redemption value now is 5 cents for small bottles compared to 4 cents you paid at the store; and 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or larger over 8 cents paid at purchase. It's money in your pocket and less waste in the landfill. To find a recycling center, visit www.bottlesandcans.com.
10. Opt for homegrown fruits and vegetables.
Buying locally grown produce is regarded by many as better for the environment because it cuts down on transportation and the subsequent air pollution it causes. In Kern County, local produce isn't hard to find. But some fruits and vegetables take a more roundabout journey to get to he produce bin.
Here's how it works:
Produce sold at chain grocery stores like Vons and Albertsons is first shipped to a refrigerated distribution center where the fruit is inspected for size, taste and color. Once approved, it's shipped to the grocery store.
Produce is usually delivered directly to smaller markets like Green Frog Market and Young's Marketplace. They tend to have a wider selection of locally grown foods, too.
Local fruit stands and farmers markets are also great places to find locally grown produce.
Use energy-efficient light bulbs.
12. Get free work done on your air conditioning and duct system to improve efficiency.
It may sound too good to be true. Read on. Through a little-known state program, customers of investor-owned public utilities such as Pacific Gas and Electric and South California Edison pay a small surcharge on their monthly bill that goes to sponsor energy programs in the state.
One of those programs provides grants to heating and cooling companies to perform efficiency upgrades on residential and commercial air conditioning and duct systems once every six years. Some companies will charge for the service but some do it for free.
For a list of local contractors who will perform the work, call 877-422-2432. Once you get the list, call around to see which companies will provide the service at no cost.
Also, PG&E customers qualify for the installation of a device that will boost the efficiency of cooling systems. The device works by keeping the fan on a few minutes after the cooling unit turns off in order to blow out the extra cold air still left in the air conditioner coil.
Power down your computer and unplug other electronics when they're not in use.
The U.S. Department of Energy says 75 percent of the electricity used to power electronics in your home is consumed when the products are turned off.
To save energy:
* Unplug your laptop's AC adapters when it's not in use. If left plugged in, the transformer in the adapter draws power continuously, even when the laptop is not connected to the adapter.
* If you use a desktop computer, turn off the monitor if you're not going to use it for the next 20 minutes or more. Turn off the CPU and the monitor if you won't use the computer for two hours or more.
* Plug your television and DVD player into power strips and turn the power strip off when the equipment is not in use.
14. Pay your bills online.
According to a study by Javelin Strategy and Research, if all U.S. homes paid bills online it would save 18.5 million trees, eliminate 1.6 billion tons of waste a year and cut 2.1 million tons of greenhouse-gas emissions by reducing the transportation of paper checks.
15. Eat less meat and dairy products.
Livestock operations pollute the air and they warm it, too.
A series of studies by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District have shown that a cow emits more smog-forming pollutants than a car.
And last year, a United Nations study found that livestock industries emit more greenhouse gases than all the trucks and cars in the world. The study estimates that livestock accounts for 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gases.
16. Start a compost pile.
Composting your food reduces the amount of garbage you send to the landfill. That, in turn, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EPA. And you might be surprised by what can be throw in the pile. Along with most food scraps, you can toss cardboard rolls, coffee filters, lint from the dryer, tea bags and shredded newspaper.
Use the enriched dirt as mulch for your flower beds and gardens.
For more information, visit: www.epa.gov/compost
17. Wash clothes in cold water.
Up to 90 percent of the energy consumed by a washing machine goes to heat the water. Washing with cold water will mean big savings in your energy bill and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by about 500 pounds a year, according to PG&E.
18. When cooking small meals, use the microwave instead of the stove or oven.
It uses less energy, according to the EPA. And because less heat is generated in the kitchen, you also save on air conditioning costs.
19. Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner.
Doing this is the best way to ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner. Clogged, dirty filters block air flow and significantly reduce a system's efficiency significantly.
20. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket and save 5 percent to 10 percent of the energy you've been using.
The colder the area where your heater is located, the greater the heat loss, according to PG&E. This is especially effective in winter if your water heater is in the garage.
21. Get rebates for new appliances.
Check with your utility company before you buy a new dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine or pool pump. PG&E and Southern California Edison offer rebates ranging from $30 to $75 for energy-efficient models. Rebates ranging from $300 to $600 are also available for new furnaces and duct sealing.
22. Recycle your old refrigerator.
Get $35 to recycle your pre-1995 refrigerator. Many people keep old refrigerators in their garage or basement for extra cold storage. However, these tend to be older, energy-hogging models from before 1995. If not disposed properly, the refrigerators can leak dangerous chemicals into the environment. Through a PG&E program, you can make $35 by getting rid of these older units. PG&E contractors will pick up the refrigerator free of charge and safely dispose of it.
For more information, PG&E customers should call 1-800-299-7573 for more information. If you are not a PG&E customer, contact your local utility company to see if it offers a similar service.
Power your home with solar energy.
Under the California Solar Initiative passed last year, homeowners who use solar power are entitled to rebates and incentives. You can go solar in two ways: retrofit your current home or buy a new house equipped with solar panels.
It would cost about $20,000 to retrofit the average home. The homeowner is then eligible for up to a $7,000 rebate from the state and a federal tax write-off of up to $2,000. If the house creates more energy than it can use, the excess power is rerouted back to the grid. The utility will grant a credit for this surplus. Those credits can then be used to offset the cost of electricity the house uses at night or during winter, according to the California Energy Commission.
Newer homes built with solar panels stand to reap the most savings, since they usually have the most up-to-date, energy efficient appliances. Some solar homeowners have reported receiving monthly utility bills as low as $6.
For more information, visit www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov
At school, work or church
24. Teleconference instead of driving or flying to a meeting.
25. Ask your employer to start an incentive program for those who walk, bike or take the bus to work.
Some ideas from the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition include:
* Discounts or subsidies for transit passes, walking shoes and biking equipment
* Cash back to cyclists who agree not to use employee parking spaces
* Travel reimbursement of 10 cents a mile
* Accrual of 15 minutes of vacation time for each day an employee bikes, walks or takes the bus to work
26. Start a recycling program.
For help initiating a recycling program at a school, contact Keep Bakersfield Beautiful at 326-3539. Revive Recycling, at 322-7374, is a local company that provides recycling services for local businesses.
27. Organize a group and volunteer with Keep Bakersfield Beautiful.
The not-for-profit is a local environmental organization with an emphasis on litter removal and beautification in the local community. Volunteers plant flowers and trees and pick up trash. For more information, call 326-3539.
28. Give two-wheeled transportation a try.
Take part in national Bike to Work Day on May 18. Not sure of the best route? Bike Bakersfield, a local group that promotes biking as transportation, can help you out. Send your start and finish addresses to info@bikebakersfield.org and they'll map a safe route for your commute. This service is available year-round.
29. Start a no-idle rule in your school or church driveway.
In the car
30. Report polluters.
When you see a smoking vehicle on the road, call 1-800-559-9AIR. Visible exhaust coming from a vehicle is made up of tiny particles that can lodge deep in the lungs and aggravate respiratory and heart conditions. If you can't make the call when you see the vehicle, write down the license plate number and call later.
31. Buy a fuel-efficient vehicle.
Driving a car is one of the most polluting things we do, according to the EPA. To find the best ones available, check out:
* The EPA's Green vehicle Guide at www.epa.gov/emissweb
* The Department of Energy's Fuel Economy Guide at www.fueleconomy.gov
32. Skip the drive-through window.
Studies show that if you expect to idle for more than two minutes, you're better off parking the car and going into the restaurant or bank.
33. Lighten your load.
An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a car's fuel efficiency by 2 percent, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Make sure your vehicle's tires are properly inflated.
Tires can lose about one pound of pressure a month. For every three pounds below recommended pressure, a vehicle's fuel economy goes down by about 1 percent, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
35. Is your vehicle fuel-efficient? Calculate your miles per gallon.
Here's how:
* Next time you fill up, write down your mileage before pulling away from the pump.
* When it's time to refuel, keep track of the number of gallons it takes to fill the tank. Also record the odometer reading.
* Subtract the initial mileage reading from the new one.
* Divide this number by the number of gallons it took to fill the tank to find miles per gallon. (U.S. Department of Energy)
Other
36. Calculate your carbon emissions.
The average two-person U.S. household emits about 20 tons a year, according to the EPA. How much do you emit? Find out using the EPA's carbon calculator, which will also offer tips for reducing your carbon emissions. Visit www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/calculator/ind_calculator.html
37. Build more green buildings.
To be considered green, new commercial buildings must adhere to guidelines set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council. Green buildings minimize energy consumption through the use of natural light, advanced heaters, low-energy lighting, super-tight duct work and reflective roof materials. So far, Kern County has one -- the new Kern Schools Federal Credit Union complex on Ming Avenue.
38. Share these ideas with others!
How long it takes to degrade in a landfill:
Aluminum can: 80 to 100 years
Plastic bottle: 700 years
Glass bottle: 1 million years
Source: California Department of Conservation
Glass, plastic and aluminum containers that can be redeemed for cash:
carbonated soft drinks
beer and wine coolers
carbonated, mineral and noncarbonated water
sports drinks
coffee and tea drinks
fruit and vegetable juices
Containers that cant be redeemed for cash:
milk
medical food
nutritional supplements
infant formula
wine
fruit juice in containers 46 ounces or larger
vegetable juice in containers larger than 16 ounces
Whats a ton of carbon?
A ton of carbon dioxide is released when you:
Travel 5,000 miles in an airplane
Drive 2,500 miles in a medium-sized car
Cut down and burn a tree about one foot in diameter and 40 feet tall
The average American emits 22 tons of carbon dioxide every year, compared to the worldwide average of just 5 tons per year.
Source: The Nature Conservancy