What are YOU doing to "save the earth"?

This post was inspired by AC's post. Here's what I do to be a good steward of the Earth...

I live in Indiana where recycling by individuals is not mandated by law but I do my part by not throwing away the things that I can take to my local drop off site (i.e. cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals).

I sell or donate anything I don't need or want anymore rather than allowing it to (immediately at least) take up space in a landfill. I can't control what the next jerk does with it and it's none of my business let alone the governments.

Almost all the light bulbs in my apartment are fluorescent (less electricity = lower electric bill).

I properly dispose of used batteries and electronics (it makes me feel good).

I unplug "vampire" appliances when I know it won't mean resetting the darn thing (less electricity = lower electric bill).

I try to plan out running my errands in an efficient manner to save gasoline (less gas used = more money and more Dairy Queen ice cream).

I pick up garbage when I see garbage on the ground but only if it is within 10 yards of my current location (I conserve personal energy that way).

My conclusions are as follows...

I am doing these things for selfish and glutenous reasons. It makes me feel good, it saves me money, and I get ice cream.

Thats as good a reason as any

I recycle, never use the central heating unless absolutely necassary, and other bits and pieces...and I use http://uk.freecycle.org (uk only I believe) regularily - its a fab site where you can offer for free any items under the sun that you dont want anymore, and request items to see if anyone else has it and doesnt need it anymore. For example, I got a 3in1 printer from freecycle , and have given away a surround sound system, 4 fiat coupe wheels, and a load of cushions, rugs and cutlery. It keeps unwanted items out of landfill and reduces consumerism! I highly recomend it to anyone in the UK!

I always get nervous when I hear phrases like "reduces consumerism". Consumerism equals jobs, wealth, and a good economy which makes it possible to have programs like "Free Recycle".

The cleanest countries in the world are the wealthiest countries in the world. They can afford to place restrictions on emissions and pay for sanitation. The worst polluters in the world are the poorer third-world countries (with the exception of a wealthy China).

I think governments need to be careful about how far they take this. If they punish industry too much it drives up the cost on goods and services which isn't good for a consumer based economy.

Case in point: One of the reasons for high food prices is the Biofuels industry. Acres of land once used for food is now used for fuel. Less supply, same demand. It also takes more energy to create fuel from say corn at this point than oil.

I think we need to be smart about how we integrate environmental policies as not to wreck the world economy. The problem is the doom sayers saying this has to be done NOW or were dead. How in the hell do they know that?

They are using man made computer models that are trying to predict a chaotic natural system. the computer processing power and human intelligence to input the exact data needed to predict future weather patterns doesn't exist.

Is global warming a reality? Absolutely, it's been happening since the end of the last ice age.

Should something be done about pollution? You bet, but not at the cost of personal freedoms and economic well fare.

This is by no means a slam on you oh Sunburned One! You have a good common sense approach. It's a slam on ambiguous buzz words.

And finally, this guy scares the hell out of me...

Sham is my voice in all things political.

blonde, You've got mail !

Rather than put the central heating on when it gets a little chilly I find playing Mario Kart Wii online and swearing improbable word combinations at the top of my voice warms me up a treat.

Gas is costly these days!

I am huge on recycling! Everything is recyclable practically. The only thing that goes into the trash, is the actual garbage.

I also do NOT use lights, unless I must. I have candles and nightlights everywhere. It's much more cozy anyway. My heat never goes above 68 degrees in the winter, and in summer my air conditioning is set to 70 degrees with automatic start/shut-off. I have all of the latest gizmos for the taps, shower head, and toilet, etc., and energy efficient appliances.

It's not huge, but is my part for the cause.

I was huge on recycling in my last house. Now, I'm a little less so, because I have to drive everything to a central compactor in the complex and I have a bad back, but I do try.

I do not use lights, though, unless it's a must. I have 3 watt bulbs in candle holders in every room, which use practically no electricity and last for about 5 years if you don't turn them off. I keep my heat at 64 degrees in the winter and my air at 70 in the summer.

I'm lucky enough to have the majority of stores on my errands list within a mile of my house, so I keep my mileage and gas consumption low.

I also run the dishwasher and washing machine/dryer during the day, so the people who work can use the power during their free hours.

We have a permanent every other day water ban on outdoor use in our county and I do honor that, although most of my neighbors don't! lol

I donate all of my usable clothes to charity and other household things I don't need anymore I usually donate to a poor parish in the inner city of Providence.

Another huge thing I've stopped is the TV. I used to have it on all day, just for company. Now that my Mom is with me, unless the news is on, the TV is off.

I know my part isn't huge, either, but I do what I can.

Life is too short for me to crawl around in the dark with a candle like some 19th century poet. I don't buy into this mess and I see it as propaganda. Don't try convincing me b/c I have made up my mind. Call me selfish, call me non-compassionate, (the far left love this rhetoric) but at least you can always call me via, blackberry, phone,cell, home, email, text, im b/c technology & power go hand in hand and I like it. I refuse to drink the kool-aid that is supposed to convince me that we are at risk of an energy apacolypse. I am a woman of faith & I say..."Let there be light". Without light how could I shop for my new SUV to tote my huge gaggle of kids around Dallas. So my part is that I don't liter....apple stems don't count right. Beside Al Gore ruined it for me. Oh wait....he did invent the internet...

I belong to a CSA and don't support factory farming.

I guess I am siding with Blonde in a way on this topic. I don't really go out of my way to "save the planet", but I don't think I really do anything to hurt it either. I don't litter. I do recycle my cans and bottles. But, I am not going to keep my lights off, or ride a bicycle to work, or do anything else to inconvenience myself just to do my part to help the planet.

And for the gas topic, you might not believe this, but I have NEVER looked at gas prices before pulling in somewhere to get gas. I honestly probably couldn't guess within 50 cents of where gas prices are in my area right now. I just don't pay attention to that stuff. If I need gas, I get gas. I'm not gonna drive around looking for the cheapest gas station trying to save two cents per gallon. It actually gets on my nerves when my co-workers talk about gas prices. There is nothing you can do about it. What is the point of complaining?

Sorry for the rant. HaHa. I am quite opinionated on some things.

Iroc...the gas thing drives me bannanas. We know people who drive out of the way like 10 miles to get cheap gas at Costco. The ultimate paradox. Just fill it up & throw in a fountain diet coke and all is good in blonde-land. You can't have fun in this world when all you do is think about how to save a quarter on gas or put the weight of saving the planet on your shoulders. As my five year old says..."you just have to go with the flow".

Agreed Blonde. Well said by you and your five year old.

Ever the bargain shopper and penny pincher... I have looked for and found a nice little website that will show you the price of gasoline in your area.

http://www.gaspricewatch.com/new/default_V3.asp

Clarification: When I used the term 'gas' I was referring to the product used to power oven hobs and gas central heating in a house.

In the UK, this is currently a big issue since the cost of it is going through the roof.

'Gas' as in the stuff you put in your car, we call that fuel over here. Petrol or diesel to be specific. And yeah, that comes at a heavy price, too.