MTV and an Inconvenient Truth

Aimee here. Inspired by my son's commitment to helping the environment, I decided to do some research too. Now, you know from my first post, I'm not some hippie that will live in a tent to save the environment. I am a recovering spoiled rich kid who doesn't like discomfort. I am not at one with nature, though I wish I could be one of those people. Anyway, I found some really amazing ways to help the environment without causing me any discomfort. The point is, these are things even I can do and not have to change how I live! That's a big deal. Living green doesn't have to mean giving up comfort.

This website lists actions to really cut down on the fossil fuels consumed by a household.
http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/whatyoucando/index2.html
You can also purchase an Inconvenient Truth on video there.
Some really quick tips that blew my mind:
Wrap your hot water heater in an insulation blanket which can save 1000Lbs of carbon dioxide a year. And setting it no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit can save 550 Lbs of carbon dioxide a year. If you have children its always good to keep it set lower anyway to prevent scalding burns.

Another place to look for simple tips is MTV Break The Addiction
http://www.mtv.com/thinkmtv/features/environment/break_the_addiction/index_choose.jhtml
This site gives simple everyday tips to reducing consumption. Its great if you have teens. Teenagers tend to be highly influenced by pop culture and this site makes it trendy to consume less.


And for your reading enjoyment....actions we've taken in our home to break the addiction so far:
Though in Michigan during the winter, this is tough...we're trying to turn off the car instead of letting it run unused for more than 30 seconds. Even 30 seconds makes a big difference over a year. However, when it is cold and icy we cannot always do this. The car has to warm a bit. But, we try.
Reuse grocery bags: We try to reuse all the grocery bags we get from the store. I use them to clean up Buddy (our puppy) bombs when walking, or as trash bags rather than buying bathroom sized trash bags.
Switch Light Bulbs: We've purchased energy efficient light bulbs for the house. The initial investment was more than the old fashioned light bulbs, but the energy efficient ones last much longer and use less energy for an overall savings. Some people like to buy the cheapest thing on the store shelves, but in this case, indeed, you get what you pay for. The new light bulbs can last up to four years. Think about how many cheap ones you'd replace in that time.
Switch juice: Seems silly, I know. But instead of giving juice boxes in lunch, buy the kids a thermos and buy juice in big bulk containers. #1 Juice boxes are more expensive so you get more for the money. #2 It creates less waste and uses less energy to buy 1 big bulk container instead of all those little tiny boxes.
Toilets and shower heads: We have the new toilets that use less water per flush and we have the shower heads that do the same thing.

And things we'd like to start doing...
We'd like to start a compost pile in the spring to reduce the amount we throw out. It will help our garden and the environment.
We'd like to get a rainwater storage unit so we can water the lawn and garden using rainwater rather than treated water. Saves money, saves energy, and is better for the lawn. You just have to make certain the kids don't drink from the hose as this water could make them sick.
Purchase a Hybrid Car: It's a big investment but, like the light bulbs, we'd save money overall and reduce our impact.

Please feel free to share your ideas and tips here!!!!