25 Ways to Save the Planet: 1 - 5
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 04.28.06
We've arrived at the final installment of our quick-n-easy actions to take for a better planet. At just 25 items, we know there are a plethora of other easy ways to take action, and just because they're not on the list doesn't mean you shouldn't do them. The little things can make a difference!
5) Instead of buying bottled water, use a water filter instead. There are some pretty strange options for filtration out there, but they can be very simple and easy to use, so get one, use it to replenish your precious bodily fluids, and you'll never buy bottled water again.
4) To go the extra mile, get a rainwater storage tank; you don't even have to dig a huge hole in the yard to have one (we got all the facts at a rainwater harvesting conference). You won't be able to drink it (unless you do what this guy did, and bottle it), but your flowers, plants and garden will sure enjoy it. This will save the potable water your utility provides just for household use, and you'll use less of it.
3) Use "Tupperware"-style reusable food containers for leftovers and lunches; you'll save miles of plastic wrap and tons of plastic bags. While you're at it, get reusable versions of other stuff, like grocery bags, gift bags and (why not?) muffin cups.
2) Draft excluders at the base of your doors can save vast amounts of cold from getting in and heat from getting out. Your wallet will thank you, and you can do it with other doors around the house, like your fridge door, too.
1) Finally, a programmable thermostat will help efficiently regulate your indoor climate; it's like TiVo for your house. Warm it up and cool it down only when you want to, live more comfortably and cheaply. Isn't that what we all want?
Whew! Now that we've reached #1, it's time to go forth and take action: use the list, live clean, save money, save the planet. For a refresher, here's the entire 25 ways to save the planet, all in one place. Godspeed, TreeHuggers!
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
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- Save $1,400 a Year By Drinking Tap Water
- Green Ergonomic Office (Part 2): Voodoo Ergonomics, Advice from Tony Biafore (a.k.a. The Ergoman)
- Top 7 Green Categories of 7 Green Lists of 7 Green Things
The Waterwall only appears to be sold in Australia. Seems like an idea that should be licensed to some US firm to manufacture and sell. I'd buy one or two!
Not to be overly dense, but why aren't we allowed to drink rainwater?
J.R.,
If you do a google search for drinking rainwater you can find lots of information about that.
The second link is a guide.
The first link says that you could drink most rainwater, but that you should filter and boil it to be safe.
I have heard 2nd hand recent studies showing harmful bacteria growing in the Grey water tanks. In addition, we were also warned that our rain water tank should only be used on grass and flowers not on vegitables. You have to make sure you don't have asfault roof material or other materials that might have harmful chemicals that will come off over time... so, I hope these people are careful drinking there water.
I think Acid rain might become a big issue again on the west coast due to all that wonderful and increasing polution from China actually making it to us now.
I always wondered about the chemicals in the air and shingles and such affecting the water quality. We'd always let it rain for fifteen minutes or so before we let it flow into the cistern, to clean out both the air and the roof. I grew up on largely rainwater for the first twenty years, though we would occasionally order a load of city water. I kept meaning to bring a sample into the lab (I'm a microbiologist) to analyze for the fun of it, but I never got around to it.
Getting it tested is certainly a good idea.