Hey all! I am linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 5 2.0!
Today I'm sharing 5 Things I am doing in my life that will hopefully help the environment.
Allow me to explain...
This clown in the White House has made me a person of action. I marched at the Women's March on January 21st and I vowed for that to be the BEGINNING of me being more active and doing good in the world. But what can I do besides vote, urge others to vote, call my reps, urge others to call their reps...
Well, I've started doing a couple of things...
1. I'm making a monthly donation to Planned Parenthood. I am fortunate enough to have health insurance through my employer. No, it's not perfect, but I am very thankful for it and I can afford the deductibles and co-pays. Not everyone is that lucky.
If the government allows states to opt out of Title X, I won't be affected, but many low income men and women are not going to be able to get healthcare. My monthly donation is not a lot, but at least it's something.
Sometimes, you have to put your money where your mouth is. If you don't already do this, pick a cause or program that is important to you and support it.
2. I'm becoming more energy efficient. We replaced our dinosaur washing machine with an energy efficient one. Even though we don't use our dryer a lot, we are slowly phasing it out completely and are putting up a wash line.
3. We're getting solar panels! We are currently in the process of getting panels from Solar City. I'm really excited about this as not only is it good for the planet but it is going to be cheaper than powering our home with electricity only.
4. I want to buy less STUFF. Especially less new stuff. We have some great consignment stores around here and I want to be more mindful that there are a lot of things I can buy used.
5. I'm looking into starting a compost pile and making/getting a rain barrel. I definitely need my mom's help on this last one!
If we all do some LITTLE things, it can add up to big things!
Check out this article from the New York Times:
Can you think of anything else I could be doing? If you read my blog regularly or know me in "real life" I'm sure you know what types of things I care about...
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What causes or programs do you support?
Do you have energy efficient appliances?
Any tips for a compost pile or rain barrel?
I think I told you I grew up in a solar home--my parents were really ahead of the curve and being environmentally conscious has always been super important to me. We actually just replaced all our appliances and have energy efficient lighting. We added a ton of insulation into our garage last year and this year we did start composting. I can send you what we picked up (it's a small container that is on our back patio)--super easy! I love trying to be as efficient as I can. Our world certainly needs help especially because it is filled with people that have a mindset that their actions have no consequence!
ReplyDeleteI would love a link to what you are using for composting!
DeleteYeah our washing machine was expensive, BUT hopefully it saves money in the long run. It uses SO MUCH LESS WATER. It always makes me sick when I learn about how much water it takes to flush a toilet, run the dishwasher, etc.
ReplyDeleteWe recycle, does that count?
ReplyDeleteBecause there are so many Worth while causes out there and I can not afford to help all of them, I read in a magazine once to pick 1 or 2 and be dedicated to that cause. My causes that i've been dedicated to helping over the years are Guiding eyes for the blind and the Canine Cancer association. In another life I would have liked to work in Cancer research.
Of course recycling counts! One or two causes is definitely a good strategy. Now I know about your love of dogs so I can understand the Canine Cancer Association. What drew you toward Guiding Eyes for the blind? Is that also dog related, like seeing eye dogs?
DeleteGuiding eyes for the blind raises labradors (and sometimes shepherds) and trains them to be guide dogs for the blind. My dog has enhanced my life so much so I can only imagine how much having one could enhance the lives of someone who is blind or disabled. Plus, I've always had a fear of going blind.
DeleteOf course we do donate to other causes like wounded warrior, united way, etc. But the two I mentioned above are the ones I am dedicated too.
That sounds like an awesome organization. I agree Persian make our lives so much better. I can't imagine how much they would help someone that may need t hrm more than just your average person. A co-worker of mine volunteered to raise a service dog for several months but it's time for him to go to serious training. Would that ever interest You? I could never do that because it would be heartwrenching to give them up when the time comes to an end!
DeletePETS, not PERSIAN lol
DeleteI'm terrible at environmental stuff. We have an energy efficient washer and dryer but that's about it, I think. And light bulbs. Not very profound.
ReplyDeleteWell it's something!
DeleteYou are amazing!! All the things you want to do show how much of a thoughtful human you are! I admire that a lot!
ReplyDeleteWe recycle, and bring our bags to the store when we shop. It's not much, but we are working on what we can now. We also donate items to goodwill often, instead of tossing them in the garbage.
I need to take my reusable bags. I am ashamed about that one. :(
DeleteI love that you are getting solar panels. I don't think anyone in our neighborhood really has them, but one of my friends has quite a few neighbors with them. The updated ones don't look bad on homes. I really wish we could get them here but our HOA is a PITA!
ReplyDeleteFreaking HOAs!!!!
DeleteI love my HE washer and dryer, and without a center agitator, I can fit more clothes in. I'm also in Colorado, where it seems everyone recycles. None of my apartments in Texas recycled, and I felt guilty about having to throw everything out.
ReplyDeleteOh yes CO is definitely one of those states we visit that recycles. It seems like PA is behind the times.
Delete