What can all of us do to help our planet

Heres are some good tips as well on cleaners everyone/Steph. There are 4 short vids. Cool

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/About_us/Lindsay_Coulter/default.aspx#videos

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A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Some more good ideas. Cool

Water Heating

Keep Your Energy Bills Out of Hot Water
Insulate your water heater to save energy and money.
Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 13% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient water heater.

Water Heating Tips
Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.

Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.

Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses.

Take more showers than baths. Bathing uses the most hot water in the average household.

Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Insulate your natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the water heater's top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations; when in doubt, get professional help.

Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

If you are in the market for a new dishwasher or clothes washer, consider buying an efficient, water-saving ENERGY STAR® model to reduce hot water use. See Appliances for more information.

Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Some new water heaters have built-in heat traps.

Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer's advice.

Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Doing some research before your heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs.

$ Long-Term Savings Tip: Buy a new energy-efficient water heater. While it may cost more initially than a standard water heater, the energy savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance. Look for the EnergyGuide label.

$ Long-Term Savings Tip: Consider installing a drain water waste heat recovery system. A recent DOE study showed energy savings of 25% to about 30% for water heating using such a system.

$ Long-Term Savings Tip: Consider natural-gas on-demand or tankless water heaters. Researchers have found savings can be up to 30% compared with a standard natural-gas storage tank water heater.

$ Long-Term Savings Tip: Heat pump water heaters are very economical in some areas.

Solar Water Heaters
If you heat water with electricity, have high electric rates, and have an unshaded, south-facing location (such as a roof) on your property, consider installing a solar water heater. The solar units are environmentally friendly and can now be installed on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house. More than 1.5 million homes and businesses in the United States have invested in solar water heating systems, and surveys indicate over 94% of these customers consider the systems a good investment. Solar water heating systems are also good for the environment. Solar water heaters avoid the harmful greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity production. During a 20-year period, one solar water heater can avoid over 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. When shopping for a solar water heater, look for systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or the Florida Solar Energy Center.

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Green roofs are becoming popular. This means growing plants on the roof of a building. It works best on a flat roof, so it is seen mostly on commercial buildings. The plants shield the building from the sun in the summer, reducing air conditioning costs, and keeping urban areas from being hotter than they otherwise would be. They shield the roof from the weather, and help insulate it in the winter. Mountain Equipment Co-op is commited to green buildings. Each new store they build uses more recycled material than the previous one.

http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302883381&bmUID=1210707813388

In 2006 I took this photo on the green roof of their 2 story Toronto store. The plants are indiginous perennials which require little maintainance. The structure with the white roof is a skylight to provide natural lighting.

In 2007 I took this photo of the green roof of a building near MEC's store. It's more elaborate, with a variety of plants:

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"The monkeys are throwing stuff at me again."
-Survivorman in Costa Rica

Love the MEC stores. Been a member for over 9 years Cool

Cool pics Bushrat.
I like the earth roof, looks better than steel & glass for sure.

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Yeah, Toronto is really heading that movement in this part of the country I think. Very Happy

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Very cool, i have always been facinated with green roofs. Good piece there on saving money Dave. Great post Smile

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"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

When I grow up and get my own house I'm going to make it a point to have a small house, even if I can afford bigger. One culture that's inspiring to look at is asia. There they have few possesions, and small houses. They prove that you don't need a lot of stuff of big houses. For gosh sakes you can live inside of a tent just fine, you don't need that 2 story giant house. Idealy I'd like to live in a small cabin out in the woods in the middle of nowhere. It would use little electricity, and would only have the bare basics. The simple life. I think one goal would also be to never take out a loan. I want to pay for what I can pay for by saving up on my own. I don't want to pay a bank all my money. Mad

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I hear ya Mystick on getting a small home. I hope to build a cabin/home.
No more than 800 sqft, now that may sound small, but it s not really. My Dads home is only 1386 sqft.
Its a 3 bedroom 2 bath inclosed garage. Tons of room, so 800 sqft is more than half of that & ive been looking at
ranch style home in that sqft and its fine. You also have to have some kind of detached shop, i mean come on, im a guy, i have hobbys etc to tend to Wink

. I would hands down have a small home on 3 to 5 acres. Cool

Oh, and ive always concidered getting a horse if i had the land. Great way to get around.

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

I always find big houses are just attention seekers rather than homes.

I like a cosy smaller house. Some of my friends own mansions and I would feel uncomfortable in one of those.

Plus if you have the chance to build it yourself or have power to design it, more power to ya. If I were to build a house I would use some sort of stone or brick or very heavy wood. My house has NO insulation whatsoever. I turn the ac on, and after 5 minutes of it being off its already hot,

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"There dosen't look like there's much shelter over in those mountains, but that's the only choice I got right now, this is gonna be a long week" - Les Stroud Arctic

	Drummer Dave wrote:
	You also have to have some kind of detached shop, i mean come on, im a guy, i have hobbys etc to tend to . .

You reminded me of a police officers cabin. I was in the teen police academy a few years back, and after that he invited us to stay at his cabin. He had us stay in big canvas outfitter tents, and he did a lot with us. We shot guns, threw tomahawks, and he showed everyone how to make char cloth. Anyway he had a cabin, it was pretty good sized then he had a storage garage, and a barn. His barn was a huge shop, and he has a lot of scrap lead because he made his own bullets. So yeah having a separate shop would be nice. And barn sized! Twisted Evil

As for insulation on a house I'd recomend embedding your house in the side of a hill. Past about 4 feet the ground stays the same temperature so it's easier to heat and cool. Cool

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that is defiantly my dream. small just the basics. out in the woods with a river for fishing. but I do need a t.v. and computer. Very Happy

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I just heard something big crackï¿½.. holy crap!-Les Stroud

better to fail at something you love then to succeed in something you hate.

At my school they're changing all the halogen lights in the gym to florecent. It's a lot brighter now, and it uses less energy. A few years back they started it where they'd only have every 3rd light on in the hallway during classes. Smile

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One of my biggest environmental pet peeves. http://www.anwr.org/gallery/pages/07-Worldwide_Energy_Use.htm

Too many lights!!!!! Sure it's america and we love our street lights, and love staying up late. I have a simple solution. Get up really early in the morning, and go to bed early. You wont be burning the midnight oil, literally. Idea

I guess it makes too much sense. Confused

I guess it just sickens me to drive on a bridge downtown, and see the city lit up. I just think what the power could be used for besides lighting up the streets for the drunks, and hoodlums.

Do you remember when the east coast blacked out a few years back? As soon as they got a little power the arogant buisness owners lit up their signs. Sad

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Majour citys are huge hydro suckers. Think Vagas !! Shocked

the city that never sleeps !!! Confused

The energy pissed away gambling Mad

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

I totally agree. I live in an apartment, lights on everywhere outside. I hate it. I just want to use a oil lamp and not turn on my lights. Very Happy

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I just heard something big crackï¿½.. holy crap!-Les Stroud

better to fail at something you love then to succeed in something you hate.

	linsleyk wrote:
	I totally agree. I live in an apartment, lights on everywhere outside. I hate it. I just want to use a oil lamp and not turn on my lights.

You know that's why we use petrolium today. People just wanted to substitute whale oil with kerosine. I guess it's better than whale oil. Did you know that parrafin wax comes from crude oil. Shocked

Yeah I agree with you I don't like the lights on when I'm trying to sleep. I can't sleep unless it's dark, I even put a red filter over my alarm clock at night because it's too bright.

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> Pedal Away The Day Smile

<

Ride a bike and save the world

"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H.G. Wells

Science has had a tremendous impact on the planet in an incredibly short time. In just the past few hundred of our 150,000 years on Earth, we have invented everything from steam engines, cars, and airplanes to sophisticated weapons and supercomputers. And the pace at which we keep inventing more complex and fascinating machines is increasing. Some of our inventions have been a great boon, some have been harmful, and some, such as cars, have turned out to be a mixed blessing.

But one invention is so efficient, beneficial, and simple that it may be the best thing we’ve ever made. People across the land will celebrate that invention as we ride into June, Bike Month. The "modern" version of the bicycle with pedals and cranks was invented by French carriage-maker Ernest Michaux in 1861. It’s come a long way since then, but whether it’s a high-tech racing bike or a one-gear street cruiser, the bike is still a marvel of ingenuity. In fact, it may well be the most efficient form of transportation yet invented.

The best part of the bike is that you, the rider, are the engine. The fuel is what you eat and drink. Putting the human engine together with the gears, wheels, and frame of a bike gives you a mode of transportation that uses less energy even than walking. As for our most popular method of getting around, the automobile, there’s no comparison. According to the WorldWatch Institute, a bicycle needs 35 calories per passenger mile, while a car uses 1,860. Buses and trains are somewhere in between.

During Bike Month, it’s worth thinking about the potential this amazing invention offers. With oil prices climbing and environmental damage from car emissions increasing, bikes are becoming a more attractive form of urban transportation every day. Cleaner air, reduced congestion, safer streets, and lower noise levels are just a few of the benefits. As more people get out of their cars and onto their bikes, they’ll also become fitter, leading to lower health-care spending. The money that could be saved nationally on things like health care - not to mention the infrastructure required to keep so many cars on the road - reaches into the billions, but the money an individual can save on fuel, insurance, and maintenance costs alone is also substantial. And because biking is a lot of fun, it will probably increase what the people of Bhutan call "gross national happiness"!

But we still have a ways to go. Canadians and Americans use bikes for fewer than one in a hundred trips - although in Vancouver where I live, it’s a bit higher, at about 2.3 per cent. Compare that to the 20 to 35 per cent of trips taken by bike in the European Union and 50 per cent in China. (Unfortunately, the trend is reversing in China as the country embraces car culture.)

Shifting from car dependence will take action at the individual level, with more people simply deciding to get on their bikes, but governments must also do more to make it easier for people to ride bikes. And they can. In just three years, from 1998 to 2001, Mayor Enrique Peñalosa of Bogotá, Colombia, turned his city of 6.5 million from a gridlocked parking lot into a city where public spaces live up to their name. He did this by restricting car use, increasing gas taxes, and building hundreds of kilometres of bike and pedestrian paths, as well as investing in buses.

Making our streets safer for cyclists by giving them space to ride is an essential first step. The investment required is far less than that required for infrastructure for cars. Tax breaks for cyclists also help. Last year in Ontario, Premier Dalton McGuinty removed the provincial sales tax on bike helmets and bikes costing less than $1,000. Bikes are also exempt from PST in B.C., and the province’s $100 carbon-tax rebate could be put toward buying a bike or tuning up your old bike.

Employers can also help out by offering secure bike parking and showers for those who work up a sweat on the way to work.

Of course, cycling isn’t a panacea. In parts of Canada, the weather isn’t always conducive to cycling. And not everyone has the strength to ride up the hills in some of our cities. But if more of us choose bikes whenever possible, using public transport or at least energy-efficient vehicles when we can’t ride, we’d all be much better off.

So, get on your bike in June, and maybe you’ll like it enough to make it your preferred method of transportation year-round.

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

Yesterday I made 3 shopping trips. One was by bus, the other two were by bike.
It was just announced that a semi-major street very close to me will be getting bike lanes. It's presently 2 lanes in each direction. It will become 1 car lane in each direction, a centre left turn lane, and 1 bike lane in each direction. This is also one of the roughest paved roads I have seen outside of the third world; I hope they repave it before they mark out the new lanes. More people will ride bikes if they can do so safely.

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"The monkeys are throwing stuff at me again."
-Survivorman in Costa Rica

Thats great Bushrat Smile

im lucky to say alot of bikelanes where added to most of the roads leading into town/city. Its a good thing. Giving people the chance to be able to ride to work or go shoping is a great start to getting vehicles off the road more. In the city of Vancouver they are building a special " bike bridge " under another one, so all the city people that cycle to work can cross the Large bridge safely.
Its a great step forward for everyone/everything Cool

_________________
A Knifeless Man is a Lifeless Man
Canadian To The Core
Carry Less by Knowing More
Knowledge Weighs Nothing

great artical. here in Seattle I see people using bikes taxis or buses more then cars. but we still have traffic probs out of Seattle.

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I just heard something big crackï¿½.. holy crap!-Les Stroud

better to fail at something you love then to succeed in something you hate.