environmentalism

[flea]

Environment Yay!
-we only own one car
-mr. flea only commutes 4 days a week, tops
-I commute by bus
-summer thermostat set to about 80 (which is as high as I can bear it)
-compact fluorescent bulbs now in most of the house
-we recycle, including yard waste
-I garden, organically (I use chemical fertilizer in some potted plants)
-I compost
-we try not too be big consumers in general (this is aided by cheapness and relatively low income)
-we buy at the farmer's market in season (and often walk to get there!)

Environment Boo!
-mr. flea's commute is 20 miles
-I dry clothes in the dryer rather than outside, because of time/space issues
-our house is insulated for shit (built 1923 and not upgraded since, but we don't own it, so can't fix)
-we kept the thermostat too high this winter (ca. 70)
-we had children
-we clothed them in paper diapers (convenience, plus I had 1970s cloth diaper trauma)
-way too much electricity consumption due to adoration of the internet

I know a couple of people on my flist are interested in green building and demolition waste recycling - I suggest you catch the current This Old House that started airing this weekend in our market. It's a short project (their winter project) in Austin, renovating a bungalow with the goal of meeting the 5-star green rating qualifications of the city. And it's a great bungalow in what looks like a great neighborhood.

Comments

[fatoudust.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Good for you. It sounds like you're doing what you can with what you can. You remind me that I intend to string a clothesline out back of the duplex. Just because I have the dryer doesn't mean I have to use it. Out here, especially, with the humidity so low. It takes no time to dry outside.

I'll definitely catch the This Old House. I'm a little overwhelmed right now, trying to get together all the information I'll need to present a coherent and convincing project to our builder. It bums me out, because the builder we could have had if he didn't go to South Africa to work with AIDS orphans!! was already sold on all this stuff. But I've got to stick with it. This is really the house I want, and I know how to get the materials, and I need to just be firm with it.

[smonsterbite.livejournal.com]

Yay! It's always interesting to read about what other people are doing. I've been contemplating a series of recommendations on green products and such.

[fatoudust.livejournal.com]

That's a great idea! You should do it!

[casperflea.livejournal.com]

I'd like that. I use dishcloths and mops rather than disposable stuff, but my cleaning products are old school. How do you kill mold without bleach?

Of course, my lack of cleanliness is really just an environmental stance. Riiiight.

[smonsterbite.livejournal.com]

Of course, my lack of cleanliness is really just an environmental stance. Riiiight.

Well, certainly. Just think of the hundreds of gallons of water I've saved by NEVER washing my car!

I'll try and get a post on green cleaning together in the next few days.

[forodwaith.livejournal.com]

I know that drying clothes outside is better, but I *hate* clotheslines. I guess I should just move the drying rack outside.

Other project for this summer: finally getting a COMPOSTER.

[casperflea.livejournal.com]

I just have a heap in the back of our yard. It isn't smelly, even in high summer. I do want one of those black rolly plastic composters one day, but haven't gotten to that point yet.