NEEPS

monkey nuts · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:40 am Post subject: What can we do?

We have just been having a discussion about what 'Joe public' (us) can actually 'DO' about the problem of global warming.

So I have a question for you all. Imagine I am totally unaware of what my family can do to help stop/slow down global. What changes can I make to help?

I will start off

*Turn off appliances that are not in use, do not leave them on standby.
* wash clothes at 40 degrees or below.

any more????
_________________
xxx Mrs G xxx

kimmie · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:46 am Post subject:

3.dont use a full sink of water to wash up
4.use eco products to wash clothes dishes etc
5.recycle as much as you can
6.if you have a garden ... have a compost instead of making trips to the dump
_________________
http://goatherd.myfreeforum.org/index.php
http://flapdoodle-oursmallholdinglife.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/kimkerly
http://www.thegleefulgoat.co.uk/

Sassinak · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 10:53 am Post subject:

7. Make extra food to freeze when using the oven
8. When buying new equipment, look for the efficiency rating
9. When making a car journey, find other things to do at the same time to save extra trips
_________________
Sassinak
Checkout my grandson's band
www.engravedMetal.co.uk

www.whinhill.me.uk
Our Dogs - www.nyumbanibordercollies.co.uk

Maria · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:16 pm Post subject:

Grow and eat (yum) something edible - almost zero food miles! Totally zero if you then save your seed or grow a perenial type. Also zero packaging - and zero processing waste!

Buy less 'stuff' - 'stuff' never ever makes people happy anyway - we don't need stuff-ing to fill our lives.

_________________
Better late than never!

DiddleDeDum · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:58 pm Post subject:

Did you hear the play on the radio about a carbon neutral house? No freezer there! Though they did get a freezer compartment on the fridge. All food was bought locally and cooked. They had a target amoutb ot electricity to use and had to switch things off a n on to achieve it - so they had a smart meter and could turn off the telly, fridge etc to turn on the washing machine or have a shower.

It was really interesting. I do what I can but could do a lot more such as get a smaller car, plan journeys better - I need to go out to get milk shortly! - & turn things off more. I do wonder what difference ecoballs make - I use enviromnemtally friendly washing powders and as little as possible = the time I used ecoballs some of my clothes fell to pieces as they couldn't stand the pounding & I had to throw them out.

I could move to a town or village where I could wak to the shop or bus but, then I guess we all could do that!

I think there are two lots of things - those which reduce Carbon and those which reduce pollution and they are not always the same thing - things which reduce carbon can be very polluting - look at nuclear power.

Maria · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject:

JamesB · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 8:42 pm Post subject:

heres my few items for the list
eat less meat
eat less dairy
eat less processed food
dont drive for short distances
combine trips ie go to the shops, drop off stuff at the skip for recycling and visit friends in one trip
cycle short distances (my wifes cycles with Erik in the bike trailer to stuartfield once a week for the toddler class and I partly cycle to work)
dont shower every day
close doors and reduce drafts
use public transport like the park and ride where possible
buy clothes from a second hand shop
dont fly or at least reduce flying
dont fly internally within the UK, use trains (inc sleeper)
dont holiday abroad
practise eco driving ie no sharp braking
buy local food
dont buy cut flowers
use wood for heating
combine baths and use the water for washing the floor as well
eat seasonally

sorry getting a bit carried away, better stop now!
_________________
JamesB
Mintlaw area

monkey nuts · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject:

Some good stuff here guys

_________________
xxx Mrs G xxx

Ina · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:33 am Post subject:

Mmh. Must be pretty green already. I think I do just about everything on those lists...

Just got a report on agriculture in Aberdeenshire from Shirley. What really, really annoys me are those comments like "there is a demand for local and traditional food from the wealthy consumer". Arghh! No, for f*'s sake - it's not just the b* wealthy consumer who demands that!!!!

Sorry.

_________________
Ina

Julie · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:15 pm Post subject:

There is another thing you can do which deserves to be mentioned too. Change the way you think. Ask yourself; Do I really need that, is it essential? and say it every time you buy something along with, how much packaging is it wearing, what was involved in the making process, how far did it travel to get here etc.
Learn to vote with your feet.
_________________
It is better to light a candle than to rail against the darkness
VOTE WITH YOUR FEET!