Did You Know…

Did you know that this website causes less carbon dioxide to be released into the atmosphere because the colour black takes up less energy on your computer. The idea came from the search engine, Blackle. Unfortunately, this only works on really old computers where the black areas of the screen are actually off.

A Few Little Things That Help

• Recycle anything that is recyclable.
• Turn out lights, television, radios, and other electrical appliances if they are not in use.
• Compost biodegradable trash.
• If you have potted plants, or especially if you have a garden, do not use pesticides and herbicides.
• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
• Replace light fixtures around your home with compact flourescents.
• Use a microwave rather than an oven or toaster whenever you can, as microwaves use 70% less energy.
• Keep your tire pressure up– driving with flat tires uses more fuel.
• Run your car on biodiesel or ethanol instead of fossil fuels.
• Take 5-minute showers instead of baths.
• Minimize your use of cars or taxis; walk, cycle, carpool, or take public transit.
• Turn the thermostat down when you are away
• Keep the thermostat low during the night.
• Dress in layers instead of turning up the heat.
• Compost biodegradable material.

A Few Big Things That Help

• Use an electric car.
• Install solar panels in your house to heat water and supply electricity.
• Use low-flow toilets and shower heads.
• Use renewable electricity such as solar power, biomass power, wind and hydro power.
•  Make your toilets(s) flush with rainwater.
• Use geothermal water and house heating systems.
• Heat your house with passive solar ( large windows, generally slanted and facing south, allowing sunlight to heat your house).
• If possible, use a composting toilet instead of a low-flow toilet.
  

Energy-Efficiency

Using solar panels is the most environmentally friendly way to supply electricity to your home. The most common source of electricity today is from burning fossil fuels. This speeds up global warming and causes a great deal of damage to the ozone–which is very harmful for people because of the strong ultraviolet radiation, and for the environment because of the fact that the earth will get heated faster than plants and animals can evolve to cope with the heat. If solar panels were less expensive they would be ideal, but, unfortunately, that is not the case.

The Problem with Hybrids

Buying a hybrid car is not actually the best choice if your car is already relatively efficient. A hybrid causes so much pollution to produce that you are only helping the environment if you drive that hybrid frequently for five years. However, if you own an old, gas guzzling car, a hybrid could be beneficial.

Concerning Passive Solar

Passive solar heating is extremely efficient. As noted it the book Earthship the earth stores heat like a battery. During the winter, when the sun is not as warm, the stored heat will keep the house warm. For this reason the floor should be drk and absorb heat, not reflect it. If the windows are facing south, the sun will contribute to heating in the winter too. When using the most effective form of passive solar heating, with the slanted windows, the windows often look onto a greenhouse area with useful plants growing in it such a grapes or aloe.