Can you say "solar"? California's power crisis has me thinking again about how much electricity (and fresh water and fossil fuels and so on) we waste in this country. Not to be cliché or anything, but there are a few very simple habits everyone should adopt that collectively could make a dent in our voracious use of natural and energy resources.

Don't turn on lights when you don't need them, and turn them off when you leave the room. My coworkers drive me crazy with this one sometimes. Our ladies' room has high windows that let in a decent enough amount of light to be able to take care of 95% of the business one might need to transact in there, exceptions being very early in the morning and when it's really, really cloudy. Most people come in and flip on the light out of habit. Have you made it to middle age without being able to find your way to the toilet and take care of business without a spotlight? The kicker is that many of them don't turn the light off again when they leave.

Don't run the water while you're brushing your teeth. Us modern people are spoiled rotten when it comes to fresh water. Think about how much effort goes into getting that water to you -- sourcing, transport to the treatment plant, treatment, transportation to your house, transportation to the wastewater treatment plant, treatment there, ultimate return to the system. Our supplies of fresh water are dwindling. If you think petroleum shortages are bad, just think about what a serious drinking water shortage would mean.

Walk (or bike) to take care of some of your errands. At the very least, consolidate your shopping trips. One of my old roommates used to drive to the grocery store two blocks away to pick up only one or two items. I'm sure it took her longer to drive there and park than it would have to walk. I know other people who will drive out to the grocery store, come home, drive to the drugstore, come home, drive to Costco, come home, drive to Kmart, come home, ad nauseum. Think of the time and energy that could be saved if you spend a couple of minutes planning one trip to incorporate all these errands.

Start with these three simple things. That’s all I ask. For now.

- posted by Lori @ 5:24:00 PM | permanent link | |