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Earth Saving Tips from Earth Share
    Fall 2006

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Always store pesticides, gasoline, bleach, drugs, drain cleaner and any other chemicals out of children's reach. See more tips for parents.
 
Lose Ten Thousand Pounds

Every year the average American pumps out 20 tons of CO2, the leading global warming gas. You can calculate your own impact at www.carbonfund.org or www.americanforests.org. Then take a look at some of the ways you can reduce your contribution:

Temperature Control. Two degrees on your thermostat - turning the AC 2º higher in the summer and the furnace 2º lower in the winter - can save 350 pounds of CO2 a year. Add additional savings by turning down the temperature of your water heater to 120º or lower. Program your Thermostat. Being able to turn down the heat or AC for large chunks of time, such as at night or while at work, can make a difference in your overall energy consumption. You can get a programmable thermostat for most systems. Also consider turning off the heat to rooms that are not heavily used.

Lose Two Tons! Transportation is the largest source of individual CO2 pollution. Replacing a car that gets 20 miles per gallon with one that gets 30 miles per gallon might not seem that significant, but it amounts to two tons difference in carbon dioxide pollution each year. Visit www.GreenerCars.com for information on automobile fuel efficiency.

Travel Smart. If you aren't up for a new car you can still reduce pollution. Organize carpools to get to work or events. Every passenger in your carpool means one fewer car on the road. Plan your driving to reduce the total number of trips, and walk or bike to local stores if you can.

Shop Locally and Reuse. Buying locally means less energy is required to drive your products to the market. Look for local fruits and vegetables. Reusing products means not using energy to make a new product from scratch, and cuts waste at the landfill! Check out estate sales, antiques stores and thrift shops.

Those Last Few Pounds. There are several innovative ways for you to offset your carbon “footprint.” You can invest in renewable energy like wind power, forest restoration, or other carbon offsets through different groups. Visit www.carbonfund.org or the www.conservationfund.org to find out more.


 
WINDOWS AND ENERGY: NO PANES, NO GAINS
 

As the weather gets cooler, it's time to think about windows. Windows waste plenty of energy - and money. Experts say as much as 25% of your home's heat can escape through leaky windows. Here are simple things you can do to make your existing windows more energy efficient and your home a little cozier:

Install weather-stripping on drafty doors and windows. Storm doors and windows should have weather-stripping on all moveable joints.

Use stretch-seal, heat-shrink plastic sheeting kits for windows as an inexpensive and easy way to seal warped or single-pane windows. You can also increase efficiency with insulated drapes.

Remove, clean, and store window air conditioners. If this isn't possible, wrap the unit with a thick layer of fiberglass insulation and seal it with plastic sheeting and duct tape to keep out moisture.

Ready for an upgrade? Replace old windows with double paned, Energy Star ™ approved windows.

 
Environmental Safety Tips for Parents
 

One of the most important ways to protect our children's health is to prevent their unnecessary exposure to toxins. Children are far more sensitive to low concentrations of toxic chemicals because of their developing organs and high metabolism. Here are some ways you can reduce exposure in your home:

Clean the Air. Avoid cigarette smoke. Don't smoke or allow others to smoke in your home. From ear infections to cancer, cigarette smoke can cause serious health problems.

Check your basement for radon, particularly if your kids spend a lot of time there. You can buy an EPA approved radon test kit from most hardware stores. If you have a wood stove or a lot of fuel burning appliances, get a carbon monoxide alarm for your home. Always make sure your kitchen is properly ventilated if you have a gas stove.

Protect from Lead. Have an expert check your home for lead paint. You may think lead is not a problem in your home, but if your house is more than 25 years old and hasn't been checked, lead paint could still be a problem. Also get expert help if you are planning any home repairs or improvements where old layers of lead paint will be uncovered. Old pipes can leach lead into your water. Have your water tested and apply a filter if you have lead in your water. If you are worried about your child's lead levels ask their doctor to have it analyzed the next time they get a blood test.

Protect from Chemicals. Avoid pesticides as much as possible, especially if you have young children. If you are using pesticides, use only in ventilated areas and follow all instructions. Keep in mind that manufacturers are typically allowed to sell their stocks of pesticides even if they have been banned due to health risks. Diazinon and chlorpyrifos are two examples of banned pesticides that you might still own or which may still be sold in stores. Avoid products with formaldehyde, like pressed wood and carpets. If you have brought something containing formaldehyde into your home make sure the area is well ventilated.

Sources and Resources:www.nrdc.org, www.childenvironment.org, www.epa.gov, www.chej.org.


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