i got this in my email- so i thought i would share. i haven't really written a decent environmental post recently- but there are some useful basic tips here. we have to do more- we have to be serious and do what we can within our own lives to scale down and pare down. otherwise- it won't matter anyway.
Dear betmo,
Things are heating up -- literally.
According to the National Climatic Data Center, 2007 has been the hottest year ever. Global temperatures from January through April were the highest they've ever been.
With each new piece of evidence, the case that our planet is warming becomes more and more certain, and the need for action becomes more and more urgent.
We need to make sure the issue of global warming is front and center in the 2008 presidential campaign -- but we also need to take responsibility for our own actions.
Pledge to take five simple steps to help our environment:
http://www.democrats.org/TakeThePledge
You don't have to completely change your life to live a more eco-friendly life. Here are five steps we're committed to:
Unplug your appliances when they aren't being used, or use a power strip with an on/off switch. Your appliances use energy, even when they're off.
Buy compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They use 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
Get regular tune ups and keep your car tires properly inflated. It improves fuel economy and could save around 2 billion gallons of gas each year.
Shop at local farmer's markets and buy locally sourced foods. It saves energy from packaging, refrigeration and transportation.
Instead of buying bottled water, use water filters or refill bottles. Bottled water is more expensive than gasoline and has a huge carbon footprint.
Will you pledge to take these steps too?
http://www.democrats.org/TakeThePledge
President Bush refuses to take the environmental crisis seriously. He might say the right things about global warming, but his actions speak louder than his words.
The Republican 2008 presidential hopefuls are no better than President Bush. At the last Republican debate, someone denied the existence of human-caused global warming altogether.
If we want to start living greener, we're going to have to do it ourselves -- at least until next November.
Sincerely,
Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.
5 comments:
I have used cfl bulbs for years, and I'm a Nazi about tire inflations and proper maintenance.
But I go through the stores, and I see the incandescent bulbs on sale..... and I realize that until people can no longer get them, people will buy them.
Don't worry though-we WILL change how we do things, and that day is coming sooner rather than later. When Chimpy sends the Federal Government into default, our dollars will be worthless and we won't be able to afford the fossil fuels and waste anymore.
i think the suggestions sound very sensible and doable (is that a word). I wrote my weekend post e-mail me over the weekend. Have a great weekend
Conservation is not one of my strong points. But I am going to try, because doing nothing is not the right thing to do at this time.
The CFL bulbs sound great. The wiring in my house is so old, the regular light bulbs in my bedroom explode every two weeks, it seems.
My dad is a mechanic, so I'm all over the car thing : )
And like a fool, I just found out my community recycling program takes old magazines. I have a pile of fashion magazines about two years old sitting inside my entertainment center!
That's a good start. We have become such a throw-away society (thanks to great marketing programs) that it will take some time to change. Let's hope people get real serious before it's too late. I saw that Bush wants to make some moderate changes by 2050 = about 30 years too late.
At least you got an email from Howlin' Howie! He doesn't answer any of mine.
I greatly fear that the whole issue has been politicized so badly, that band aid steps will be taken, and we'll move on to the next PC thing that strikes our fancy. Democrats are especially notorious for this.
Watch for any efforts in this regard, to be matched with colossal price increases. It's an excuse, and that's all business needs.
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