LONG & INFORMATIVE ~ Make Every Day EARTH DAY!!!

[Guest guest]

I spent all day putting this together to send out, so please read. Thank You!!! Have A Wodnerfully Splendid Day Everyone!!!

The Environment & Women

As women, we're perfectly suited to helping the planet we love. I'm trying......and you can too.

 

You don't have to chain yourself to a redwood tree to protect our environment. Consider this as you guide to living greener-easily and instantly. What are you waiting for?

 

Odds are, you've been wondering how we can help our precious environment, but you may feel overwhelmed, even the experts feel overwhelmed by this HUGE task. Yes, the news is bad: Everyone's been guzzling gas and consuming increasing amounts of energy` meaning that more carbon dioxide, one of the main culprits behind global warming, ends up in the air. The most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirmed that the Earth is in fact growing steadily warmer and warmer each year, and our activity as humans is the dominate cause.

 

We don't want to say goodbye forever to things like winter ski vacations, beautiful fluttering butterflies, perfect summer days, and cute and fuzzy polar bears? Neither does us. That's why we all need to become global warming activists!

 

Did you know that we all are environmentalists? Even if we don't call ourselves one, we are. You like animals, trees, rivers, flowers, beaches. Bird, oceans, etc..? Right? Well, environmentalism is the protection of those basic things and all of us environmentalists must work together to take not he mother of all issues: global warming.

 

Whether or not you realize it, every time you turn on a light, charge your cell phone, or drive your car, you're using energy and all the billions of us put together using that energy are contributing to global warming pollution, which is threatening to harm the things in nature that we've grown to love and take for granted.

 

Thankfully this situation is still reversible and many solutions are simple and bite sized. These problems are significant enough hat we need to do big and little things now. Start with him following steps in no particular order. Each will make a HUGE difference.

 

But making small changes in your everyday behavior and then educating your friends and family to do the same can make a BIG difference. Everyone can help. We don't each have to do it all, but we all have to do something. So pick two earth saving tips from the list below to adopt this month, then pick two more to start using next month, and so on. Imagine the impact small acts like these will have when they're done by millions. You see, the most important label you can add tot he long list you use to describe yourself is, "I'm an environmentalist, a global warming activist." The solution is yoU!

 

Your friends and family may try to tell you that being environmentally conscious are too much trouble. Its natural for them to be a little skeptical, but don't give up. Explain tot hem, "Science is based on facts and the facts are in. There's more consensus on global warming, then there was on the fact that smoking causes cancer!" How can they argue with that?

 

Save Our Planet Earth!!!

 

10 easy ways you can help the environment

 

1) UNPLUG EVERYTHING

 

In the average household, 40 % of electricity used is actually powering electronics that are turned off! This equals the total power generated by 17 power plants each year-we're polluting the atmosphere for no reason. So unplug the chargers on your ipod, cell phone, portable DVD player, and other electronics when you're not using them.

 

2) TOTE IT

 

Hundreds of thousands of turtles, whales, and other creatures die each year from eating plastic bags floating in the water, which they mistake for food. So, from now on, bring groceries home in your very own fashionable reusable grocery bag instead or ask for paper instead. But because paper cuts down trees, a reusable bag is much better. I suggest buying 24 of them. You can get them off of eBay for $50. Just do a search for reusable bags and search the list for the red trader Joes ones. I bought 24 for myself.

 

3) REDUCE HOT WATER USE

 

YES, long hot showers feel GREAT! But it takes up allot of energy to heat water and that's not only costly, but air polluting too. Plus, the average shower uses 3-5 gallons of water per minute. You can easily use less hot water by buying a low flow shower head. You'll keep 350 pounds of dangerous carbon dioxide from being produced per year. Check out home depot for these.

 

Water is in more limited supply around the world-including in the western U.S.-due to increasing pollution and drought. Fixing leaks can also save hundreds of gallons of water each month.

 

4) BRIGHTEN UP

 

Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer and use a quarter of the energy as regular bulbs. They may cost up to 30 % more, but when they last longer, you save. They use 65 % less energy than regular bulbs do-which explains why a big government campaign, "change a light, change the world" is pushing for them. Try GE's energy star bulbs at Wal Mart. Switching just one bulb will keep 150 pounds of carbon dioxide from being needlessly emitted.....plus it will save you about $30. Try a warm white kind and the light should look the same as usual.

 

 

5) ADJUST YOUR THERMASTAT

 

This time of the year, mine are set to the off position with my doors and windows open.

 

Moving your thermostat just two degrees up in summer and two degrees down in winter could prevent 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the environment per year.

 

You'll also save up to 15% on your energy bill.

 

6) CUT BACK ON PLASTIC

 

Instead of buying bottled water, use a filter and keep a pitcher of water in the fridge. If you need H2O on the go, pour it into a travel mug or reusable bottle. Most plastic bottles can only be recycled once, unlike cans, which can be recycled over and over again. Bottles and other plastics may take up to 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill.

 

Did you know that plastic bottles that end up in dumps basically never degrade? GULP!

 

Not all plastics are equally bad for the environment though, thin kinds, like baggies and cling wrap are made with fewer materials then heavier ones like bottles and containers, and so, their production involves less energy and spews fewer toxic chemicals into his air.

 

With he growing popularity of bottled water, there's so much more waste being generated. Plastic bottles take allot of energy to produce and allot of time to degrade. Most experts agree that bottled water isn't any purer or safer then most of the nations tap H2O. Take your used plastic bottles, or better yet, mug and hit the faucet.

 

7) CHECK YOUR TIRES

 

Keeping your tires inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more then three percent. ThAt may not sound like allot, but every gallon of gas saved, keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. So, next time you fill up the tank, make sure your tires are full too.

 

Driving a typical car for a year produces 95,000 pounds of global warming pollution.

 

Make many cars greener by checking your tires and getting your oil changed.

 

It'll eat up less gas and help stop pollution.

 

Also, don't speed. Going 65 instead of 75 can slash fuel consumption by 25 %. And no more speeding tickets. Lol

 

I have a hybrid and an all electric vehicle. They both use little to no fuel and don't muck up the air as much.

 

Hybrids run on fuel and electricity and the batteries are automatically recharged when you step on the break, much like my electric car is, my electric car also has solar energy on it as well, so energy is stored in my electric car though the sun's energy.

 

They looks just about he same as any other car.

 

Hybrids get 40 to 80% more to the gallon then a regular car does.

 

Both typically don't cost anymore to maintain hen a regular car does.

 

They'll generally set you back at about $3.00, but you could make up for that in gas prices.

 

On a hybrid, you may make that up in about 5 years.

 

On a hybrid, you get a tax deduction in the US. Go to irs.gov and search for "Hybrid deduction".

 

Some companies give a chunk of money back to staffers who buy hybrids. Go to hybridcars.com/corporate-incentives

 

Even better: ride a bike. It's better for the environment and your health or tries taking public transportation.

 

And best of all, walk!!!!

 

 

 

8) DOUBLE UP

 

When you print drafts of paper and projects for school, set your printer so it prints on both sides of the page. You'll cut the amount of paper you use in half. Save paper and save trees, it's as simple as that.

 

9) DONT DITCH YOUR PHONE

 

Over 125 million cell phones are thrown away in the U.S. each year. When they're buried in landfills, the batteries release chemicals that can result in toxic waste. So bring your old cell phones to your local phone store to be disposed of properly. Or donate it to phones4charity.org which sells refurbished phones to raise money.

 

10) JOIN STOPGLOBALWARMING.ORG

 

Add your name to the list of people who are demanding solutions for global warming: these messages will be taken by global warming activist Laurie David and singer Sheryl crow to Washington, D.C. on Earth Day, April 22 and catch Laurie and Sheryl from April 9-22 on the Stop Global Warming College Tour!

 

 

TRY THESE OTHER SOLUTIONS:

 

1) RECYCLE

 

You've heard it a kajillion times. Recycle plastic, glass, paper, and cans. It keeps them from pilling up landfills and saves trees and energy. It takes 20 times more energy to make aluminum can from scratch then it do from a recycled one.

 

2) CLEAN GREEN

 

Try all natural cleaners, like I do. I don't want to contribute toxic chemicals to the Environment, so I use all natural cleaners in my household along with all natural shampoos, lotions, conditioners, hairsprays, mousses, make up, perfumes, body cleansers, laundry detergent, etc. I opt for all natural products, its better for me and the environment.

 

Ordinary household cleaners tend to have potentially toxic chemicals; pour them down the drain and they can make their way into ground water, buh bye clean drinking water. There are lots of effective eco versions out there:

Ecover, seventh generation, Mrs. Meyer's

 

3) EAT LOCAL OR ORGANIC

 

Getting veggies from a farmer's Market saves fuel, because produce isn't transported long distances. And organic farming keeps chemicals out of the soil and you. You get better food and protect the environment as well as yourself.

 

4) BUY ENERGY SAVING THING

 

Just look for the energy star label on everything from computers to air conditioner to fridges.

 

 

IS IT REALLY BAD TO....

 

.....DRY-CLEAN CLOTHES?

 

Its probably not goos for you......and definitely bad for the environment. 85% of cleaners use a chemical called perc that may be linked to cancer and reproductive damage, though there isn't conclusive research on this evidence yet. It most definitely pollutes the air and all that plastic wrapping takes lots of energy to produce. To protect yourself and the planet you can do what's called wet clean. Check out earth911.org for locations. Click on green shopping tips and innovative technologies and then enter your zip code. You could also try "Carbon dioxide clean". Visit findco2.comfor locations. You could also ask to skip the plastic, if not take clothes outside and air dry if possiblE.

 

.......MICROWAVE IN PLASTIC?

 

It could be harmful to you and the environment, if a container isn't labeled microwave safe, check the bottom. If you see number 3, 6, or 7 on the bottom, do not heat food in it. These numbers mean that it may have toxins that can seep into your meals and it's also less likely to be recyclable.

 

 

........COOK IN TEFLON PANS?

 

I have a pet bird and I have to be extra cautious about what goes into the air with him. If it is harmful or him, I know it is harmful or the environment and this is one of the biggest concerns with having a pet bird into his house.

 

It's bad for, for pets and the environment. Non stick cookware is made with a substance that's a probable carcinogen. But the biggest threat, experts say is all the air and water pollution sued by the factories that make the chemical. So copper or aluminum is the more eco-friendly options, but there's no reason to ditch anything unless it's scratched.

 

Question No. 1

IS THERE STILL A HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER?

 

Yes, but ties not as bad as it used to be. It's actually not really a hole, but a thinned out part of the atmospheric molecules that shield us from the sun's harmful rays. Without this layer, Earth would not be able to sustain life as we know it. Chlorofluorocarbons once used in aerosol cans, which I don't use at all anyways, and old fridges likely did the damage. But today, they've been mostly phased out, and the layer is thickening up again. The real cause for concern though is global warming.

 

 

FACT: THE AVERAGE AMERICAN TOSSES 21 BAGS OF TRASH PER MONTH

 

Americans are generating more trash then ever before. It's mainly because people are throwing away plastics and electronic goods instead of recycling them. One study found that a whopping 75% of things found in landfills could have been recycled or reused. Some things were perfectly good for use again. This is a huge problem because all that garbage lying around in dumps produces toxic emissions and leads to worse pollution. For more information on recycling, visit nrc-recycle.org. Also try FREECYCLE, a site I recommend to vastly cut down no this growing problem.

 

 

TRY THESE ECO-GADGETS

 

All those electric gizmos in your life add up to a big drain on energy and resources, but these wont. And they're cute too!!!

 

1) Water Powered Clock ($13) it actually runs on water and doubles as a vase. thinkgreen.com

2) Eye masks Radio ($49) Great for the beach. It operates on solar power or hand cranking. A minute once ranking, gets you an hours worth of music. freeplayenergy.com

3) Soldius solar Recharger ($90) Normal rechargers are energy suckers. Stick this is a sunny spot for a few hours and it'll juice up most cell phones, PDAs, or ipods. You can check their website for compatibility. mysoldius.com

4) Vessel Candela Lights ($89 for four) Light up a room with fun lamps that run on rechargeable batteries, which are included. vessel.com

5) Muji Cardboard Speakers ($42) they produce crisp sound and they're biodegradable. Not ideal for parties though, since they don't get very loud. momastore.org

 

 

ARE YOUR CLOTHES GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

 

Indulge responsibly!

 

1) Find things you adore and wear them rigorously.

 

The manufacturing and distributing of al clothing takes a major toll on the environment. Buy used clothes instead of brand new! So buy mindfully, spending on pieces you like so much, they're worth it. Fiscally and otherwise. When you're finished with he genius LBD or those killer heels, donate them for worthwhile causes like dress for success.

 

2) Look for clothes colored with vegetable dyes instead

 

The vibrant hues on clothing are often the result of an intense dyeing process that unleashes chemicals into him water supply. No need to sport an all beige wardrobe, just look at the tags or labels and go for items with all natural vegetable dyes instead.

 

3) Buy organic cotton

 

In general the production of cotton is gentler on his environment then that of nylon or rayon, and organic cotton may be even better. While it may require more land and water to make then the no organic kind. Most experts agree that ties the greener choice because it doesn't involve pesticides. In 2003 more the 6 million pounds of chemicals were used on cotton fields in California alone.

 

4) Wash your clothes in cold water

 

Sixty percent of a garment ecological impact occurs after ties purchase. Diminish your impact by washing in cold water and doing only full loads. It usually gets clothes just as clean.

 

Question No. 2

WHATS UP WITH HEMP CLOTHING?

 

Hemp-a cousin of marijuana-can be grown without pesticides. It's usually blended with cotton or silk, so ties not scratchy, but U.S. Designers haven't embraced the fiber because ties illegal to grow here-and often costly to import.

 

 

ECO SCAMS

 

Don't fall for these eco-scams. Good News-Eco products are springing up like wild flowers these days. Except that some companies are making unsubstantiated claims, known as green washing.

 

1) Bamboo Clothes

 

A hot item at boutiques made from bamboo fibers. Sadly though, it's not at all that environmentally virtuous. When a bamboo plant is turned into fabric, the process releases harmful toxins into he atmosphere, not good!

 

2) "NATURAL" Stuff

 

These days everything from cereal to laundry detergent is labeled as "Natural" and often sold at higher prices. While the word can mean that something is made with truly natural ingredients, there are no government standards for anything except meat where "Natural" means there are no additives. Your best bet is to read labels and check for ingredients you recognize or those that don't sound synthetic or chemical-y.

 

ECO-FRIENDLY BEAUTY

 

Stores are stocking their shelves with beauty products that claim to be good for the environment and free of iffy chemicals. Here is what to know before you buys.

 

Organic items may not really be organic. No official agency checks every single product out there, so companies can say whatever they want on labels. Look for a USDA organic seal instead, which means a product ahs been certified at least 95% organic. If there isn't a seal, read the label, if your head is spinning from long chemical names, chances are it's not organic.

 

Authentic organic products are good for the planet. Their ingredients are grown without pesticides, so nothing bad seeps into the soil.

 

They're pretty enough to even leave on your dresser. New lines, like Stella McCartney, are downright chic.

 

But, they may not last as long as regular kinds. That's because natural preservatives aren't as potent as synthetic ones. So, check if there is an expiration date and toss anything that may seem off.

 

Homorganic companies are trying to do good too. Sally Hansen, Avon, Estee Lauder, and CoverGirl have removed dibutyl Phthalate-an ingredient shown to cause birth defects- This June Lancôme will plant one tree, through carbonfund.org for each of the first 10,000 bottles of its Primordial Cell Defense Serum sold.

 

 

WHATS REALLY WORTH IT?

 

1) Recycled Paper Products

 

COST: almost twice as much as conventional products.

PROS: If every household in the U.S. replaced just one roll of regular paper towels with 100 % recycled ones, about 544,000 trees would be saved and that's a huge impact. Both green Forest, available at drugstore.com and Marcal make recycled paper goods.

 

2) Organic Linens

 

COST: roughly three times as much as conventional cotton.

PROS: conventional cotton is prayed with pesticides that contaminate water and kill beneficial orgasms. That makes organic worth considering if you need to replace old stuff. Queen sheet set ($219) gaiam.com - Blanket ($172) coyuchi.com - bed bath and beyond also sells organic linens.

 

3) Eco-Friendly Carpeting

 

COST: About as much as regular rugs

PROS: A major amount of conventional carpeting-about 5 billion pound-will end up in our landfills this year alone. The eco-friendly kind reuses materials that would otherwise sit in dumps for decades. Since, you'll be spending about the same-Why not? Flor has several stylish options for carpet tiles. Visit florcatalog.com. The company will also recycle when you redecorate. What more can you ask for?

 

 

Question No. 3

IF SOLAR ENERGY IS SO GREAT, WHY DONT MORE HOMES HAVE IT?

 

It still pricey to install solar panels in a home, although you'd later save money on your power bill, but costs for these are decreasing slowly. You can also buy green power. For a local source visit eereenergy.gov/greenpower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I don't think copper or aluminium saucepans are any better for people

than non-stick ones. Aluminium is leeched from saucepans and is

associated with Alzheimer's disease and other brain damage. Copper

pans leech copper, which makes the body zinc deficient. Zinc is

needed for almost every body activity, immunity among them.

 

The safest are stainless steel.

 

Jo

 

 

, " angelikfiona "

<angelik_kitty_kat wrote:

>

>

> I spent all day putting this together to send out, so please read.

Thank

> You!!! Have A Wodnerfully Splendid Day Everyone!!!

>

> [anluorKareltje41.gif] The Environment & Women

[anluorKareltje41.gif]

>

> As women, we're perfectly suited to helping the planet we love. I'm

> trying......and you can too.

>

>

>

> You don't have to chain yourself to a redwood tree to protect our

> environment. Consider this as you guide to living greener-easily and

> instantly. What are you waiting for?

>

>

>

> Odds are, you've been wondering how we can help our precious

> environment, but you may feel overwhelmed, even the experts feel

> overwhelmed by this HUGE task. Yes, the news is bad: Everyone's been

> guzzling gas and consuming increasing amounts of energy` meaning

that

> more carbon dioxide, one of the main culprits behind global warming,

> ends up in the air. The most recent report from the

Intergovernmental

> Panel on Climate Change confirmed that the Earth is in fact growing

> steadily warmer and warmer each year, and our activity as humans is

the

> dominate cause.

>

>

>

> We don't want to say goodbye forever to things like winter ski

> vacations, beautiful fluttering butterflies, perfect summer days,

and

> cute and fuzzy polar bears? Neither does us. That's why we all need

> to become global warming activists!

>

>

>

> Did you know that we all are environmentalists? Even if we don't

> call ourselves one, we are. You like animals, trees, rivers,

flowers,

> beaches. Bird, oceans, etc..? Right? Well, environmentalism is the

> protection of those basic things and all of us environmentalists

must

> work together to take not he mother of all issues: global warming.

>

>

>

> Whether or not you realize it, every time you turn on a light,

charge

> your cell phone, or drive your car, you're using energy and all the

> billions of us put together using that energy are contributing to

global

> warming pollution, which is threatening to harm the things in nature

> that we've grown to love and take for granted.

>

>

>

> Thankfully this situation is still reversible and many solutions are

> simple and bite sized. These problems are significant enough hat we

need

> to do big and little things now. Start with him following steps in

no

> particular order. Each will make a HUGE difference.

>

>

>

> But making small changes in your everyday behavior and then

educating

> your friends and family to do the same can make a BIG difference.

> Everyone can help. We don't each have to do it all, but we all have

> to do something. So pick two earth saving tips from the list below

to

> adopt this month, then pick two more to start using next month, and

so

> on. Imagine the impact small acts like these will have when they're

done

> by millions. You see, the most important label you can add tot he

long

> list you use to describe yourself is, " I'm an environmentalist, a

> global warming activist. " The solution is yoU!

>

>

>

> Your friends and family may try to tell you that being

environmentally

> conscious are too much trouble. Its natural for them to be a little

> skeptical, but don't give up. Explain tot hem, " Science is based on

> facts and the facts are in. There's more consensus on global

warming,

> then there was on the fact that smoking causes cancer! " How can they

> argue with that?

>

>

>

> Save Our Planet Earth!!!

>

>

>

> 10 easy ways you can help the environment

>

>

>

> 1) UNPLUG EVERYTHING

>

>

>

> In the average household, 40 % of electricity used is actually

powering

> electronics that are turned off! This equals the total power

generated

> by 17 power plants each year-we're polluting the atmosphere for no

> reason. So unplug the chargers on your ipod, cell phone, portable

DVD

> player, and other electronics when you're not using them.

>

>

>

> 2) TOTE IT

>

>

>

> Hundreds of thousands of turtles, whales, and other creatures die

each

> year from eating plastic bags floating in the water, which they

mistake

> for food. So, from now on, bring groceries home in your very own

> fashionable reusable grocery bag instead or ask for paper instead.

But

> because paper cuts down trees, a reusable bag is much better. I

suggest

> buying 24 of them. You can get them off of eBay for $50. Just do a

> search for reusable bags and search the list for the red trader Joes

> ones. I bought 24 for myself.

>

>

>

> 3) REDUCE HOT WATER USE

>

>

>

> YES, long hot showers feel GREAT! But it takes up allot of energy to

> heat water and that's not only costly, but air polluting too. Plus,

> the average shower uses 3-5 gallons of water per minute. You can

easily

> use less hot water by buying a low flow shower head. You'll keep 350

> pounds of dangerous carbon dioxide from being produced per year.

Check

> out home depot for these.

>

>

>

> Water is in more limited supply around the world-including in the

> western U.S.-due to increasing pollution and drought. Fixing leaks

can

> also save hundreds of gallons of water each month.

>

>

>

> 4) BRIGHTEN UP

>

>

>

> Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer and use a

quarter

> of the energy as regular bulbs. They may cost up to 30 % more, but

when

> they last longer, you save. They use 65 % less energy than regular

bulbs

> do-which explains why a big government campaign, " change a light,

change

> the world " is pushing for them. Try GE's energy star bulbs at Wal

Mart.

> Switching just one bulb will keep 150 pounds of carbon dioxide from

> being needlessly emitted.....plus it will save you about $30. Try a

warm

> white kind and the light should look the same as usual.

>

>

>

>

>

> 5) ADJUST YOUR THERMASTAT

>

>

>

> This time of the year, mine are set to the off position with my

doors

> and windows open.

>

>

>

> Moving your thermostat just two degrees up in summer and two degrees

> down in winter could prevent 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from

being

> released into the environment per year.

>

>

>

> You'll also save up to 15% on your energy bill.

>

>

>

> 6) CUT BACK ON PLASTIC

>

>

>

> Instead of buying bottled water, use a filter and keep a pitcher of

> water in the fridge. If you need H2O on the go, pour it into a

travel

> mug or reusable bottle. Most plastic bottles can only be recycled

once,

> unlike cans, which can be recycled over and over again. Bottles and

> other plastics may take up to 1,000 years to decompose in a

landfill.

>

>

>

> Did you know that plastic bottles that end up in dumps basically

never

> degrade? GULP!

>

>

>

> Not all plastics are equally bad for the environment though, thin

kinds,

> like baggies and cling wrap are made with fewer materials then

heavier

> ones like bottles and containers, and so, their production involves

less

> energy and spews fewer toxic chemicals into his air.

>

>

>

> With he growing popularity of bottled water, there's so much more

waste

> being generated. Plastic bottles take allot of energy to produce and

> allot of time to degrade. Most experts agree that bottled water

> isn't any purer or safer then most of the nations tap H2O. Take your

> used plastic bottles, or better yet, mug and hit the faucet.

>

>

>

> 7) CHECK YOUR TIRES

>

>

>

> Keeping your tires inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more

> then three percent. ThAt may not sound like allot, but every gallon

of

> gas saved, keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

So,

> next time you fill up the tank, make sure your tires are full too.

>

>

>

> Driving a typical car for a year produces 95,000 pounds of global

> warming pollution.

>

>

>

> Make many cars greener by checking your tires and getting your oil

> changed.

>

>

>

> It'll eat up less gas and help stop pollution.

>

>

>

> Also, don't speed. Going 65 instead of 75 can slash fuel consumption

> by 25 %. And no more speeding tickets. Lol

>

>

>

> I have a hybrid and an all electric vehicle. They both use little

to no

> fuel and don't muck up the air as much.

>

>

>

> Hybrids run on fuel and electricity and the batteries are

automatically

> recharged when you step on the break, much like my electric car is,

my

> electric car also has solar energy on it as well, so energy is

stored in

> my electric car though the sun's energy.

>

>

>

> They looks just about he same as any other car.

>

>

>

> Hybrids get 40 to 80% more to the gallon then a regular car does.

>

>

>

> Both typically don't cost anymore to maintain hen a regular car

> does.

>

>

>

> They'll generally set you back at about $3.00, but you could make

up for

> that in gas prices.

>

>

>

> On a hybrid, you may make that up in about 5 years.

>

>

>

> On a hybrid, you get a tax deduction in the US. Go to irs.gov and

search

> for " Hybrid deduction " .

>

>

>

> Some companies give a chunk of money back to staffers who buy

hybrids.

> Go to hybridcars.com/corporate-incentives

>

>

>

> Even better: ride a bike. It's better for the environment and your

> health or tries taking public transportation.

>

>

>

> And best of all, walk!!!!

>

8) DOUBLE UP

>

>

>

> When you print drafts of paper and projects for school, set your

printer

> so it prints on both sides of the page. You'll cut the amount of

paper

> you use in half. Save paper and save trees, it's as simple as that.

>

>

>

> 9) DONT DITCH YOUR PHONE

>

>

>

> Over 125 million cell phones are thrown away in the U.S. each year.

When

> they're buried in landfills, the batteries release chemicals that

can

> result in toxic waste. So bring your old cell phones to your local

phone

> store to be disposed of properly. Or donate it to phones4charity.org

> which sells refurbished phones to raise money.

>

>

>

> 10) JOIN STOPGLOBALWARMING.ORG

>

>

>

> Add your name to the list of people who are demanding solutions for

> global warming: these messages will be taken by global warming

activist

> Laurie David and singer Sheryl crow to Washington, D.C. on Earth

Day,

> April 22 and catch Laurie and Sheryl from April 9-22 on the Stop

Global

> Warming College Tour!

>

>

>

>

>

> TRY THESE OTHER SOLUTIONS:

>

>

>

> 1) RECYCLE

>

>

>

> You've heard it a kajillion times. Recycle plastic, glass, paper,

and

> cans. It keeps them from pilling up landfills and saves trees and

> energy. It takes 20 times more energy to make aluminum can from

scratch

> then it do from a recycled one.

>

>

>

> 2) CLEAN GREEN

>

>

>

> Try all natural cleaners, like I do. I don't want to contribute

> toxic chemicals to the Environment, so I use all natural cleaners

in my

> household along with all natural shampoos, lotions, conditioners,

> hairsprays, mousses, make up, perfumes, body cleansers, laundry

> detergent, etc. I opt for all natural products, its better for me

and

> the environment.

>

>

>

> Ordinary household cleaners tend to have potentially toxic

chemicals;

> pour them down the drain and they can make their way into ground

water,

> buh bye clean drinking water. There are lots of effective eco

versions

> out there:

>

> Ecover, seventh generation, Mrs. Meyer's

>

>

>

> 3) EAT LOCAL OR ORGANIC

>

>

>

> Getting veggies from a farmer's Market saves fuel, because produce

> isn't transported long distances. And organic farming keeps

> chemicals out of the soil and you. You get better food and protect

the

> environment as well as yourself.

>

>

>

> 4) BUY ENERGY SAVING THING

>

>

>

> Just look for the energy star label on everything from computers to

air

> conditioner to fridges.

>

>

>

>

>

> IS IT REALLY BAD TO....

>

>

>

> ....DRY-CLEAN CLOTHES?

>

>

>

> Its probably not goos for you......and definitely bad for the

> environment. 85% of cleaners use a chemical called perc that may be

> linked to cancer and reproductive damage, though there isn't

> conclusive research on this evidence yet. It most definitely

pollutes

> the air and all that plastic wrapping takes lots of energy to

produce.

> To protect yourself and the planet you can do what's called wet

> clean. Check out earth911.org for locations. Click on green shopping

> tips and innovative technologies and then enter your zip code. You

could

> also try " Carbon dioxide clean " . Visit findco2.comfor locations. You

> could also ask to skip the plastic, if not take clothes outside and

air

> dry if possiblE.

>

>

>

> ......MICROWAVE IN PLASTIC?

>

>

>

> It could be harmful to you and the environment, if a container isn't

> labeled microwave safe, check the bottom. If you see number 3, 6,

or 7

> on the bottom, do not heat food in it. These numbers mean that it

may

> have toxins that can seep into your meals and it's also less likely

> to be recyclable.

>

>

>

>

>

> .......COOK IN TEFLON PANS?

>

>

>

> I have a pet bird and I have to be extra cautious about what goes

into

> the air with him. If it is harmful or him, I know it is harmful or

the

> environment and this is one of the biggest concerns with having a

pet

> bird into his house.

>

>

>

> It's bad for, for pets and the environment. Non stick cookware is

> made with a substance that's a probable carcinogen. But the biggest

> threat, experts say is all the air and water pollution sued by the

> factories that make the chemical. So copper or aluminum is the more

> eco-friendly options, but there's no reason to ditch anything unless

> it's scratched.

>

>

>

> Question No. 1

>

> IS THERE STILL A HOLE IN THE OZONE LAYER?

>

>

>

> Yes, but ties not as bad as it used to be. It's actually not really

> a hole, but a thinned out part of the atmospheric molecules that

shield

> us from the sun's harmful rays. Without this layer, Earth would not

be

> able to sustain life as we know it. Chlorofluorocarbons once used in

> aerosol cans, which I don't use at all anyways, and old fridges

> likely did the damage. But today, they've been mostly phased out,

and

> the layer is thickening up again. The real cause for concern though

is

> global warming.

>

>

>

>

>

> FACT: THE AVERAGE AMERICAN TOSSES 21 BAGS OF TRASH PER MONTH

>

>

>

> Americans are generating more trash then ever before. It's mainly

> because people are throwing away plastics and electronic goods

instead

> of recycling them. One study found that a whopping 75% of things

found

> in landfills could have been recycled or reused. Some things were

> perfectly good for use again. This is a huge problem because all

that

> garbage lying around in dumps produces toxic emissions and leads to

> worse pollution. For more information on recycling, visit

> nrc-recycle.org. Also try FREECYCLE, a site I recommend to vastly

cut

> down no this growing problem.

>

>

>

>

>

> TRY THESE ECO-GADGETS

>

>

>

> All those electric gizmos in your life add up to a big drain on

energy

> and resources, but these wont. And they're cute too!!!

>

>

>

> 1) Water Powered Clock ($13) it actually runs on water and doubles

as a

> vase. thinkgreen.com

>

> 2) Eye masks Radio ($49) Great for the beach. It operates on solar

power

> or hand cranking. A minute once ranking, gets you an hours worth of

> music. freeplayenergy.com

>

> 3) Soldius solar Recharger ($90) Normal rechargers are energy

suckers.

> Stick this is a sunny spot for a few hours and it'll juice up most

cell

> phones, PDAs, or ipods. You can check their website for

compatibility.

> mysoldius.com

>

> 4) Vessel Candela Lights ($89 for four) Light up a room with fun

lamps

> that run on rechargeable batteries, which are included. vessel.com

>

> 5) Muji Cardboard Speakers ($42) they produce crisp sound and

they're

> biodegradable. Not ideal for parties though, since they don't get

> very loud. momastore.org

>

>

>

>

>

> ARE YOUR CLOTHES GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

>

>

>

> Indulge responsibly!

>

>

>

> 1) Find things you adore and wear them rigorously.

>

>

>

> The manufacturing and distributing of al clothing takes a major

toll on

> the environment. Buy used clothes instead of brand new! So buy

> mindfully, spending on pieces you like so much, they're worth it.

> Fiscally and otherwise. When you're finished with he genius LBD or

those

> killer heels, donate them for worthwhile causes like dress for

success.

>

>

>

> 2) Look for clothes colored with vegetable dyes instead

>

>

>

> The vibrant hues on clothing are often the result of an intense

dyeing

> process that unleashes chemicals into him water supply. No need to

sport

> an all beige wardrobe, just look at the tags or labels and go for

items

> with all natural vegetable dyes instead.

>

>

>

> 3) Buy organic cotton

>

>

>

> In general the production of cotton is gentler on his environment

then

> that of nylon or rayon, and organic cotton may be even better.

While it

> may require more land and water to make then the no organic kind.

Most

> experts agree that ties the greener choice because it doesn't

> involve pesticides. In 2003 more the 6 million pounds of chemicals

were

> used on cotton fields in California alone.

>

>

>

> 4) Wash your clothes in cold water

>

>

>

> Sixty percent of a garment ecological impact occurs after ties

purchase.

> Diminish your impact by washing in cold water and doing only full

loads.

> It usually gets clothes just as clean.

>

>

>

> Question No. 2

>

> WHATS UP WITH HEMP CLOTHING?

>

>

>

> Hemp-a cousin of marijuana-can be grown without pesticides. It's

> usually blended with cotton or silk, so ties not scratchy, but U.S.

> Designers haven't embraced the fiber because ties illegal to grow

> here-and often costly to import.

>

>

>

>

>

> ECO SCAMS

>

>

>

> Don't fall for these eco-scams. Good News-Eco products are springing

> up like wild flowers these days. Except that some companies are

making

> unsubstantiated claims, known as green washing.

>

>

>

> 1) Bamboo Clothes

>

>

>

> A hot item at boutiques made from bamboo fibers. Sadly though, it's

> not at all that environmentally virtuous. When a bamboo plant is

turned

> into fabric, the process releases harmful toxins into he

atmosphere, not

> good!

>

>

>

> 2) " NATURAL " Stuff

>

>

>

> These days everything from cereal to laundry detergent is labeled as

> " Natural " and often sold at higher prices. While the word can mean

that

> something is made with truly natural ingredients, there are no

> government standards for anything except meat where " Natural " means

> there are no additives. Your best bet is to read labels and check

for

> ingredients you recognize or those that don't sound synthetic or

> chemical-y.

>

>

>

> ECO-FRIENDLY BEAUTY

>

>

>

> Stores are stocking their shelves with beauty products that claim

to be

> good for the environment and free of iffy chemicals. Here is what to

> know before you buys.

>

>

>

> Organic items may not really be organic. No official agency checks

every

> single product out there, so companies can say whatever they want on

> labels. Look for a USDA organic seal instead, which means a product

ahs

> been certified at least 95% organic. If there isn't a seal, read the

> label, if your head is spinning from long chemical names, chances

are

> it's not organic.

>

>

>

> Authentic organic products are good for the planet. Their

ingredients

> are grown without pesticides, so nothing bad seeps into the soil.

>

>

>

> They're pretty enough to even leave on your dresser. New lines, like

> Stella McCartney, are downright chic.

>

>

>

> But, they may not last as long as regular kinds. That's because

> natural preservatives aren't as potent as synthetic ones. So, check

> if there is an expiration date and toss anything that may seem off.

>

>

>

> Homorganic companies are trying to do good too. Sally Hansen, Avon,

> Estee Lauder, and CoverGirl have removed dibutyl Phthalate-an

ingredient

> shown to cause birth defects- This June Lancôme will plant one tree,

> through carbonfund.org for each of the first 10,000 bottles of its

> Primordial Cell Defense Serum sold.

>

>

>

>

>

> WHATS REALLY WORTH IT?

>

>

>

> 1) Recycled Paper Products

>

>

>

> COST: almost twice as much as conventional products.

>

> PROS: If every household in the U.S. replaced just one roll of

regular

> paper towels with 100 % recycled ones, about 544,000 trees would be

> saved and that's a huge impact. Both green Forest, available at

> drugstore.com and Marcal make recycled paper goods.

>

>

>

> 2) Organic Linens

>

>

>

> COST: roughly three times as much as conventional cotton.

>

> PROS: conventional cotton is prayed with pesticides that contaminate

> water and kill beneficial orgasms. That makes organic worth

considering

> if you need to replace old stuff. Queen sheet set ($219) gaiam.com -

> Blanket ($172) coyuchi.com - bed bath and beyond also sells organic

> linens.

>

>

>

> 3) Eco-Friendly Carpeting

>

>

>

> COST: About as much as regular rugs

>

> PROS: A major amount of conventional carpeting-about 5 billion

> pound-will end up in our landfills this year alone. The eco-friendly

> kind reuses materials that would otherwise sit in dumps for decades.

> Since, you'll be spending about the same-Why not? Flor has several

> stylish options for carpet tiles. Visit florcatalog.com. The company

> will also recycle when you redecorate. What more can you ask for?

>

>

>

>

>

> Question No. 3

>

> IF SOLAR ENERGY IS SO GREAT, WHY DONT MORE HOMES HAVE IT?

>

>

>

> It still pricey to install solar panels in a home, although you'd

later

> save money on your power bill, but costs for these are decreasing

> slowly. You can also buy green power. For a local source visit

> eereenergy.gov/greenpower

>