Green Page

Our Cool Climate Team has met twice now.  We’ve shared ideas, books and resources for water conservation, waste reduction and even giving up your car.  Most often we talk about energy efficiency.  We get excited about promising new technology that use solar, wind or cow power.

I have a friend who converted his diesel truck so it runs on pure cooking oil.  He eats at the local diner once a week and they slip him a big vat of chicken grease out the back.  He pours it directly into his truck. So as long as there’s fried food, he’ll have “free” fuel and a large following of dogs chasing after him.

At our last meeting someone brought in a can of spray insulation that seals off leaks where plumbing comes in under the sink.  I’ve heard that stuff also keeps out rodents.

They also had some foam outlet insulators.  I had just put some in the night before.  It was easy enough for even a tool klutz like me.

You get a packet of 8 at the hardware store for a few bucks.  Then all you need is a screw driver and about 15 minutes.  You unscrew the face plate off the outlets and switches on the exterior walls of the house, slip these insulated foam covers in and replace the face plate.  Voila!

We’re so dazzled these days with all the latest gadgets that we forget some of the most common sense steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint.  I’ve heard some reports from other cool climate teams that are also discovering low cost, low-tech ways to cut carbon.

Linda was amazed that someone in her group wore long johns all winter inside and out which made it comfortable to turn down her thermostat.  Linda asked, “Do you have them on right now?”  Her team mate pulled up her pant leg to display her silk long johns.

The Anacortes American team wrote that they’ve taken several steps at work like replacing ordinary bulbs with CFLs.  But what caught my eye was the mention of using thermoses instead of leaving a coffee pot on all day, a brilliant idea.  Now I make a thermos of tea for myself in the morning.

I’ve been using a tea cozy more, too.  If I cook something that requires bringing it to a boil and then letting it simmer, I let it boil, then turn the stove off and wrap it in my tea cozy.  Last week I made a big pot of soup, boiled it and tucked it into my laundry basket surrounded by towels.  After walking the dog for an hour I came back and it was done.

At least half of my group didn’t use their dryers anymore.  At our last meeting our hosts showed their indoor clothes rack that holds an entire load of laundry and when not in use, folds compactly into a closet. Others had strung up a clothes line in the basement. Since that meeting I put my clothes on a rack in the guest room.  It takes more time, but zero carbon.

This time of year I get muddy pants whenever I walk my dog in the woods. So I started saving one pair of pants exclusively for dog walking.  Now I don’t have to wash my other pants as often.  Recently I started hanging my once worn shirts outside on the porch overnight.  They smell fresh in the morning.  I’m sure my grandmother knew all these tricks.

Since I started keeping a record of all my driving, the date, the miles, the reason, I decided to reduce Webster’s carbon paw print.  I found a park walking distance from home where she can play in a big field while I do laps around it.  We still go to the woods on the weekends.  We’ve cut driving the dog down to 10 miles a week instead of 30-40.

So far I’ve cut my carbon footprint by:

Taking my car for a tune up and inflating the tires properly = 1,500 pounds Making and installing “Insiders” indoor storm windows = 800 pounds

Adding insulation and sealing air leaks = 1,000 pounds

I replaced an old fridge and washer with Energy Star models = 1,000 pounds Reducing solid waste, junk mail, recycling, composting, worm bin and shopping for less packaging (I did this already but I’ve improved a little) = 100 pounds Taking 5 minute showers and installing low flow showerheads = 500 pounds Reducing laundry loads and using cold water = 100 pounds

Eliminating the use of the dryer = 260 pounds/load

Installing a power strip for TV, stereo, etc. = 100 pounds

Installing CFL bulbs in 16 light fixtures = 1,600 pounds

Wearing long johns and sweaters and turning down the heat = 900 pounds Cutting Webster’s carbon paw print by 75% = 1,000 pounds

Driving at 55 and easing in and out of stops whenever possible = 1,100 pounds Buying Green Power from PSE =800 pounds

I plan to get a live tree for Christmas and planting it afterward = 25 pounds My total= 10,785 which is pretty good but I know I can do better.

Do your own calculations at www.empowermentinstitute.org Get tips on Green Living at www.skagitbeattheheat.org and click on Living Well Living Green guide.  Or attend my presentation on how to reduce waste over the holidays come to my presentation at the Burlington Library Dec. 3 at 7pm.