Started in 2007, and in its eighth year, this worthy cause is now celebrated in 154 countries.
This worthy cause, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), is more
than just turning off lights. It's about saving our planet. And I am not alone. My friend Patty at Magpie's Nest has participated more years than I, and she's the one who got me involved in this worthy cause I've lived, but never knew existed.I say I've lived it, and I'll prove a few of the ways I do so each day.
1. I heat only the rooms I'm using in the winter, and cool only my office in the summer, even though I have central heat and air.
2. I don't turn lights on in a room unless I'm taking a photograph. I know my home, and have no trouble navigating in a dark house.
3. I don't own a cell phone, so there are no chargers to unplug.
4. I don't own a dishwasher (much to my displeasure when I have company, I might add), so I keep my water heater on a very low setting.
5. I wash all my clothes in cold water only. The hot water spigot on my washer is not even turned on. And yes, my clothes come clean because I check each article of clothing, and pretreat, if there's a stain.
6. If I need added heat, I snuggle with Bleubeard who is more than willing to spend added time with me.
7. It's no secret I'm a coffee drinker, but as soon as the coffee is brewed, I shut the coffee maker off. No sense leaving the heat on, when I don't mind if my coffee gets cold. And company can always use the microwave, if they need their coffee scalding.
What will you commit to this year to help reduce waste on the planet. There are many ways you can get involved, but even if you don't have time to volunteer for outside events, I've shown you several ways you can help save our planet without ever leaving your home. So what about beyond Earth Hour? I'm an artist, so I'll be making art that uses recycled, reused, repurposed, and/or recovered items during the month of April leading up to Earth Day, which, in my world is bEARTHday. I hope this helps you rethink your art, too.
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7 thoughtful remarks:
Earth Hour is new to me but sounds like a good way to raise awareness. We do many of the same things you do. When our kitchen was remodeled we had plumbing for a dishwasher put in just in case someone in the future wants a dishwasher. We chose to have a cabinet (drawwers) made that slides into the space the dishwasher would take up so the plumbing is hidden. We have an "on demand" hot water heater, only heats waster as you use it. More costly to install but extremely efficient.
Darla
I always learn something here from you, were you ever a teacher by chance? If not you should be, it's amazing how much info/facts/tips/etc you know!!
I had no idea of this but think it's pretty cool actually. Thanks for sharing what you do to help out. I do some of those...
wash my clothes only in cold
turn off lights when needed
put extra layers on instead of turning up the heat
recycle foil and paper towels
we hang up our bath towels to dry and use them two days in a row before washing them
That's all I can think of for the moment. Thanks for making us aware of these and this day!!
For some reason, I saw the next post first. Now that I see what you are doing, I can do that.
We don't have a dishwasher or a clothes dryer and we don't have electric heating. Because we live out in the bush we have a wood fire (which does produce smoke), however, we only use offcuts and recycled wood, not wood from forests. What else? Most of the time I use recycled and repurposed materials in my art, not just because I'm cheap, but because art and craft stores of any sort are a day trip for me and if I want something, I want it NOW! So I make do, usually with things I get from the recycle depot, which is also a day trip away. We don't have a television or radio (which is how I get so much done)
I will be watching with interest what you get up to
I always forget about Earth hour...at least to honor it at the proper time. You know me...I try to do my part. I fear that as well as I do in some areas I really fail in others. I guess that goes back to my word for the year...Balance. Still a work in progress.
great post
very informative E!
being raised in a waste not want not household (Mr M was as well) we have walked lightly on the earth for many many years...
that said there is always room for improvement and doing more or less ;)
thank you for sharing this and more!
oxo
If everyone was as careful as you Elizabeth, and your commenters, the world would be a better place. I see so much waste around me, even in the homes of friends. It is a 'throwaway' society, and the evidence is everywhere.
I forgot about Earth Hour, serves me right for not coming to visit sooner :) but, I do participate in Earth day--every day :)
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