Earth Saving Tips from  

Fall 2003  

HEAT YOUR HOME WITH 'GREEN' ENERGY

As the autumn leaves make way for winter's chilly winds, the warm summer sun will soon seem a distant memory. But even if it's cold outside, sun and wind can play a role in keeping you warm - by harnessing renewable energy to heat your home.

"Green" energy comes from sunlight, the power of wind and water, and the earth's internal heat.   Buying green energy provides a wealth of benefits: environmental (using fewer fossil fuels that contribute to global warming), economic (sending fewer dollars overseas to import oil), and social (renewable energy creates jobs).  It also provides energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil supplies. 

How do you buy green energy? Some things to know:

       In most states, you can buy green power through green pricing programs offered by your local power company. In some states you can choose an independent company specializing in green power as your electric utility.

       Some utilities offer a product "blend" that is 25%, 50%, or 100% renewable energy, often sold in blocks, such as 100 kilowatt-hours for a fixed price. You purchase as many blocks as you want.

       Don't worry: electricity will still be reliable when the sun isn't shining or the wind blowing. The green energy you buy doesn't go directly to your home - it's mixed with other energy in the local electric grid.

       To learn more, visit www.eere.energy.gov/power/ consumer or www.nrel.gov/clean_energy.

HOW TO HAVE A GREEN HALLOWEEN

Halloween can be scary - but it needn't be scary for the earth. Environmental Defense, an Earth Share member organization, offers some tips on how to keep environmental hobgoblins away on October 31:

 

      Buy candy that uses the least amount of packaging.

      Check the labels on Halloween-related items and buy ones that use recycled content.

      Use pillow cases or cloth bags instead of paper bags for collecting candy.

      If you plan a Halloween party, buy or use reusable utensils, plates, napkins, and tablecloths, or buy disposable items that have recycled content.

      Instead of buying a costume, try to create a costume at home out of old clothes and other materials. If buying a costume is the only option, save it to use again, or give it to someone who can use it next year.

      After the festivities are over, start a compost pile with your old jack-o-lantern. If you do not have space, check with your town officials or local garbage collectors about whether there is a community compost pile in your area.

      As you clean up after the holiday, don't throw away your Halloween decorations. Use them again them next year to save money as well as landfill space.

BACK TO SCHOOL . . . WITH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

School days are back. Many parents are breathing a sigh of relief . . . and many of their kids are breathing dirty air. Most people know that outdoor air pollution can damage their health, but many do not know that indoor pollution can also have harmful effects. Government studies indicate that pollution indoors may be 2 to 5 times, and sometimes more than 100 times, worse than outdoor pollution. Children are especially susceptible because they breathe more air relative to their body weight.

What causes air problems inside schools? You'd be surprised at the variety of sources: outdoor air pollutants, such as pollen, dust, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust … faulty or inefficient ventilation and air conditioning equipment … emissions from office equipment, shops, and labs … cleaning processes and supplies … emissions from carpet and furnishings … pesticides and other landscape chemicals … and more.

Untreated, indoor air problems can have serious consequences at school, such as:

       increasing health problems for students and staff,

       negatively affecting student learning, comfort, and attendance, .

       reducing staff performance due to discomfort, sickness, or absenteeism,

       accelerating deterioration of school buildings and equipment,

       straining relationships between school administrators and parents and staff,

       damaging a school's public image, and

       creating potential liability problems.

What can you do to reduce the risks of indoor air problems at school? Here are some actions to take:

      Identify the symptoms of indoor air problems.They can include: irritations of eyes, nose, and throat; dry mucous membranes and skin; mental fatigue, headache, and sleepiness; airway infections, cough, hoarseness, and wheezing; nausea; dizziness; redness, flushing of the face or skin rashes.

      Consider the health links. Does your child regularly go to school healthy and return home sick or deeply fatigued? Does he/she have more frequent or more severe asthma attacks on school days? Are any of your child's classmates coming home with similar health complaints? Is the school being renovated? Do the air intakes draw in vehicle exhaust or emissions from adjacent industrial facilities?

      Ask teachers and staff. Encourage them to describe observations they have about the building environment; sometimes the problem is not an indoor air quality issue at all. Keep a log of all conversations.

      Conduct a school audit. Gather a committee of parents, teachers, and staff to inspect the school and grounds for possible problems. An excellent inspection checklist, and many other self-help tools and resources, can be found at www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.

THANK YOU!!