This month the green moms have gathered once again for the Green Moms Carnival to share our thoughts on Resolutions to Fight Climate Change. The carnival is hosted this month by Amber over at Strocel.com. The carnival goes live Monday, January 23, 2012. Be sure to stop by for lots of great information on ways we can all fight climate change.
For a person who rarely makes New Year’s resolutions I sure am writing about them a lot. Last year I pulled together a mid-year resolution –to eat local, sustainable food as much as possible. The timing was right (June) and I was able to succeed. This year, in place of any resolutions, I came up with 3 words to help define my goals and experiences for the coming year: honesty, present and learn.
This month the amazing women of the Green Moms Carnival came up with the idea to write about resolutions to fight climate change. This is the type of resolution that works on my end-probably because I’m already committed to many of these things.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The buzz words “climate change” and “global warming” have been on our radar since the 80’s. Remember when the hole in the ozone layer of Antarctica was discovered? Now it’s our job to slow down or stop the damage that we’ve already done.
There are 4 things that I will be working hard to accomplish this year. Knowing that each of these small actions will help fight climate change keeps me going back for more. Want to join me?
Holy Cow: Meatless Any Day
Meatless Monday is a movement encouraging people to improve their health and improve the health of the planet by cutting out meat from their diet one day each week. There are estimates that the meat industry produces almost one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that accelerate climate change. Cows are one of the largest producers of methane (through their digestive process), a gas that helps contribute to global warming. Eating less meat and dairy is one of the most effective ways to reduce our personal carbon footprint and reduce our impact on the environment.
I have to admit, my meatless day is rarely Monday, but it doesn’t really matter. One of our favorite meatless any day recipes is a simple bean and rice burrito.
Plant a Peach Tree or Any Tree
When each of our three boys was born we planted a tree in their honor. Each year we try to plant at least one new tree either near our house or through Treenex, which plants a tree in a forest each time you purchase a greeting card from their site.
As trees grow they help stop global warming. They remove carbon dioxide from the air, store carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
Family Room Renovation: Use Zero VOC Paint
Most conventional paints contain high levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), which emit a breathable gas when slapped on your walls. Some VOCs are greenhouse gases and can contribute to global warming and others are just bad for your health.
We’re just about to renovate our family room which will involve painting much of the inside of our house. We are planning to stay in our home during the renovation and that strong, conventional paint smell isn’t an option. We’ve used no VOC paint in the past and it worked well-we’ll be using it again this go round.
Get a Free Home Energy Audit
After speaking with Kevin O’Connor from This Old House I have wanted to arrange a free energy audit (his suggestion). Most energy companies will send a representative to your home, free of charge, for a home energy audit to help identify areas that may not be energy efficient. There are all sorts of rebates available for upgrading to energy efficient appliances and other upgrades.
A home energy audit will hopefully help us find simple ways to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions and lower our utility bills in the process.
What do you do to fight climate change? I’m having a hard time giving up my hot, hot shower.
[Photo used under Creative Commons from Philippe 2009 and Dan Zen /Flickr]
I am not ready to give up my hot showers either.
We eat less meat than we used to and we use no VOC paint when we paint. I am also trying to buy less and to buy used when I can.
I’m with you on being reluctant to give up the daily hot shower. I like to shower when I’m running just a little late — nothing motivates me to get on with it like knowing I have a total of ten minutes to shower and change!
Most of my other daily habits are under control. What I really want to do this year is talk to more people in my community and force myself to reach out in person, have more conversations with people who don’t already agree with me.
We shower only every other or every third day in this house;) It’s a sponge bath the rest of the days. I have found that our skin is better moisturized by our own oils and our hair looks better too! Definitely not for everyone but it works for us:)
I’m all about planting trees! Even in our super small lot I’ve had great success with the ultra-dwarf and dwarf varieties (even in pots). What an inspirational post this is! Thank you so much for sharing Lori!
Ah, I didn’t know about Treenex! Thank you.
Another super-low-VOC product for bare wood, and I have this all throughout my house, is Vermont Natural Coatings. It is a floor varnish made from dairy whey! It has held up great after nearly 3 years.
I just can’t give up those hot showers Marsha. I also know that making them shorter would have a big impact too. Did you use no VOC paint throughout your house?
I agree Jennifer-my shower is my sanity. I’m interested to hear how your plan to reach out in the community goes. There’s nothing like a good discussion around an issue you are passionate about.
Thanks for the low VOC floor varnish Sarah. We are putting in hard wood in our family room and are planning to use no VOC products. I’ll look into this brand. Nice to hear that it’s held up over the years.
Thanks for sharing your shower schedule Andrea. I find that showering every day definitely dries out my skin and hair. I’m all about planting trees too. Such an easy way to make a big difference. Thanks for stopping by!
Great post, Lori.
I go meatless more days than not, I volunteer at tree-planting events (groups come in to do the planting, we supervise to make sure it’s being done right because an incorrectly planted tree will die), and I shower every other day rather than every day… but when I do, the way is pretty hot, I must admit. 🙂
Thanks Andrea! I remember reading about your tree planting event. I’m with you on the hot showers-my sanity!