What Can We All Do To Help??????? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

DaveOrion · 09-14-2007, 03:18 PM

After a recent conversation in the shoutbox, I thought I'd start a thread so everyone could voice their opinion properly on what can be done about global warming, to help conserve energy, to make this world a better place, for not only this generation, but others to come. Any thoughts???? More to follow.....

sadistikdreams · 09-14-2007, 03:22 PM

A good idea is to unplug your electronics after use.

snowy · 09-14-2007, 03:33 PM

Ride a bike, take a bus, reduce, reuse, recycle, walk more, eat food grown locally, volunteer, purchase sources of green energy instead of traditional energy...

There are a ton of things we can do. We just need to do them.

DaveOrion · 09-14-2007, 03:36 PM

When I built my house 5 years ago I already knew about all the problems with energy costs, depletion, and so on. I was also aware of the many ways to make a home more energy efficient and thus save more energy. An energy star rating on a new home is very important, at least if you care the slightest about the environment, future generations, or even saving money on your light bill.

I included as necessity, all 2x6 exterior walls which supported R-22 insulation, R-33 in the ceilings, absolutely no recessed lighting in the ceiling itself, thats just a hole in your ceiling for heat to escape. If you must have them, build a dropdown bulkhead for the lights.... All holes for electricity, plumping, cable or whatever, are sealed with insulation and a proper caulking. All windows and doors are sealed with spray foam insulation, 10 times better than stuffing fiberglass insulation in there. All energy star rated appliances, furnace, hot water heater ( I wish I could've gotten a tankless, on demand water heater, but price was unfortunately an option) & air conditioning.....Thats just off the top of my head....much more was actually involved...oh yea, double paned windows...proper roof & soffit vents, proper landscape outside, pines on the north side and so on.......

I dont drive a gas guzzling SUV either....

tecoyah · 09-14-2007, 03:50 PM

Ventilate your house....and use the sun to heat and cool it. You can cut so damn much electricity when you let your home work for you.

http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebo...lGuide1-2.html

And adding power strips can make a big difference as well.

http://www.pfadvice.com/2006/04/24/p...financial-tip/

These are the handouts I leave with Clients:

Quote:

Wattage of Common Household Appliances
Appliances Resistive Load Reactive Load
Blender 375 watts 500 watts
Clock Radio 5 watts ---
Coffee Maker 1,700 watts ---
Computer - PC 300 watts ---
Cuisinart 450 watts 650 watts
Deep Fryer 1,800 watts ---
Electric Blanket 400 watts ---
Electric Curlers 300 watts ---
Frying Pan 1,250 watts ---
Hair Dryer 1,875 watts ---
Iron 1,200 watts ---
Light Bulbs see marking on bulb
Microwave 1,050-2,500 watts ---
Washing Machine 1,150 watts 2,200 watts
Water Heater 4,000 watts ---
TV - Color 300 watts ---
The average central air unit uses 5000 watts to start, and 3500 to run
The average 7000 btu window unit uses 750-1500 watts
It's a myth that leaving the AC on while you're away at work uses less energy than turning it on when you get home. Here's why:
Heat goes to where it's not. With the AC off, your house will absorb heat from outside, but at some point it will be so hot it can't absorb any more heat. When you come home and turn the AC on, the AC has to remove the accumulated heat only once.
But if the AC is on when you're gone, then your house is constantly absorbing heat because your AC is constantly cooling down the house. The AC has basically turned your house into a heat magnet. So your AC is removing absorbed heat over and over and over again.

Tips for saving money on cooling and air conditioning costs
In the typical home, air conditioning uses more electricity than anything else -- 16% of total electricity used. In warmer regions AC can be 60-70% of your summer electric bill. If you're serious about saving energy, address your cooling costs first, since that's what uses the most electricity.
Of course, you'll save the most money if you can learn to do without your AC at all. It's definitely possible. A combination of ceiling fans, insulation, and using passive solar techniques can save you hundreds of dollars every summer..
A window unit AC uses 500 to 1440 watts, while a 2.5-ton central system uses about 3500 watts. That's a lot of energy. A floor fan uses only 100 watts on the highest speed, and ceiling fans use only 15 to 95 watts depending on speed and size.
Let me put into perspective how wasteful central AC is: Running your AC 12 hours a day for three weeks uses more energy than leaving the refrigerator door open 24 hours a day for a whole year. (Fridge open 24/7: 180 watts x 13 extra hours day x 365 days/yr. = 854 kWh.)
Try cooling your home to only 80 degrees (or warmer) instead of the 70's. This is especially easy to do if you have ceiling fans. Each degree below 78 will increase your energy use by 3-4%.
Run climate control for one hour. Rather than trying to keep things cold all day, allow the insulating properties of your home to work for you. Periodically halting the cooling process of your house will retain the colder temperature, and allow the air to circulate throughout. The use of fans (ceiling preferred) use far less electricity. Should the home become too warm again, repeat the one hour rule.
Use the evening chill to your advantage. As the sun sets and temperatures drop it’s a good idea to begin using passive solar. By allowing the cooler air into your home until the morning warm up, you can lower the temperature of your home until noon without the use of Air Conditioning.

Phantom Electricity
Regardless of pressing the power button on your remote, the TV is still on. While a single appliance by itself would not be a big deal, when you add up all the different appliances and systems you have, the phantom electricity load will reach $20 a year in most homes and can even reach $100+ in houses that have a lot of electronics. To put it into perspective, the average TV’s phantom electricity load costs about $5 - $10 a year. If you use your microwave oven an average of 7 minutes a day or less, the clock will use more electricity during the year than microwave itself! When you start adding in the stereo systems, VCRs, DVD players, answering machines, fax machines, electric razors, electric toothbrushes, computers, printers, scanners, modems, routers and kitchen appliances, the energy used becomes more significant. In fact, TVs and VCRs alone cost Americans $1 billion a year in electric bills while not in use.
The first step to figuring out how much energy may be wasted in phantom electricity is why we take a stroll around your house to see what is plugged into all of your electricity outlets. If it’s an appliance that you don’t use regularly, we recommend simply unplugging it. If it’s an appliance which us used regularly, consider placing all the appliances in that general area onto a power strip which can be switched on and off easily. By taking these steps you can save some money on your electricity bill and cut down on electricity waste at the same time with little effort on your part.
Compact Fluorescent and LED Lights:
While compact fluorescent (CF) light bulbs cost more than regular incandescent light bulbs, they use about two-thirds less energy and last years longer. A basic rule of thumb is that you can save $10 a year in electricity cost for each 100 watt bulb you replace (this includes factoring in the extra cost of the light bulb and the longer life it has).
Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting requires an initial investment, but they use 80 - 90% less electricity than standard lights and last up to 5 times as long as any other bulb. In addition, due to the way they are made, they are virtually indestructible. Household LED light bulbs can outlast regular bulbs more than 30 to 1, so imagine not having to change that hard-to-reach bulb for 10 years! A standard 40 watt incandescent bulb rated at 1,000 hours in its lifetime will use about $5 in electricity. A 5 watt LED bulb giving out the same amount of light will use $30 of electricity during its rated 50,000 hour lifetime - that is $240 using standard incandescent and only $30 using LED lamps over the operating time of 50,000 hours, and you only buy one bulb.
The efficiency of LED home lighting is hard to beat. With energy efficient light bulbs you save money, you will make your home safer and more secure and you do something good for the environment -- all at the same time!

DaveOrion · 09-14-2007, 04:20 PM

More info on energy star homes....

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?...es.nh_features

Quote:

Features of ENERGY STAR Qualified New HomesTo earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

This label identifies a home as having earned the ENERGY STARAnd with homebuyers increasingly interested in green building, energy efficiency is the place to start. That's because the energy used in homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and risks of global warming. So, the less energy used, the less air pollution generated. And the easy way to make sure a new home is energy efficient is to look for the blue ENERGY STAR mark, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. Learn more about how Green Begins with ENERGY STAR Blue .

Any home three stories or less can earn the ENERGY STAR label if it has been verified to meet EPA's guidelines, including: single family, attached, and low-rise multi-family homes; manufactured homes; systems-built homes (e.g., SIP, ICF, or modular construction); log homes, concrete homes; and even existing retrofitted homes.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes can include a variety of 'tried-and-true' energy-efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution:

1. Effective Insulation
Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use, and increased comfort. Learn more about Properly Installed Insulation.

2. High-Performance Windows
Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings. Learn more about Qualified Windows.

3. Tight Construction and Ducts
Sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope" and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance. Learn more about Efficient Duct Systems .

4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment won't have to work so hard to heat and cool the home. Learn more about:

Qualified Heating Equipment
Qualified Cooling Equipment
Mechanical Ventilation
5. Efficient Products
ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products — lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines. Learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified products:

Qualified Appliances
Qualified Lighting
Advanced Lighting Package
High Efficiency Water Heaters
6. Third-Party Verification
With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR builder partners choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct onsite testing and inspections to verify the energy efficiency measures, as well as insulation, air tightness, and duct sealing details. Learn more about Independent Inspection and Testing .

Ustwo · 09-14-2007, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveMatrix

After a recent conversation in the shoutbox, I thought I'd start a thread so everyone could voice their opinion properly on what can be done about global warming, to help conserve energy, to make this world a better place, for not only this generation, but others to come. Any thoughts???? More to follow.....

Support nuclear power.

Global warming or not the trick isn't ways to scale back energy use but find ways to make more energy available cheaply. Since I'd rather not burn fossil fuels for real pollution reasons, efficient nuclear power is the best immediate solution with won't lower the quality of life as a side effect.

(and despite what I was once told by some 'environmentalists' at earth day 92, nuclear power does not contribute to any form of global warming in any way, unless of course we need to stamp out water vapor emissions)

Infinite_Loser · 09-14-2007, 04:40 PM

Learn to walk. The world existed before cars and it'll exist long after they're gone.

Jinn · 09-14-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

eat food grown locally

I'm curious about this one. Is the theory that less emissions will be spent transporting it to the market than foods grown farther away?

World's King · 09-14-2007, 04:58 PM

Well, I for one am gonna stop farting.

sadistikdreams · 09-14-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infinite_Loser

Learn to walk. The world existed before cars and it'll exist long after they're gone.

THANK YOU!

God, I know people who get into their cars and drive to their mailbox.

Damnit people, we have legs, lets use em!

Jinn · 09-14-2007, 05:08 PM

My legs were designed by God to support my frame and massive sexual organs so that I could procreate many times and provide Him with many children.

They were not designed for walking, nor was this Earth designed to be saved. It's only for our short time here. Once I'm in Heaven, why do I care what happened down here?

Some people believe that.

Baraka_Guru · 09-14-2007, 07:09 PM

Support initiatives for sustainable development and the increased efficiency of energy use.
Before you buy something, ask yourself if you really need it. Wait a day to see if you still want it.
Support renewable energy.
Be sure to eat a lot of things low on the food chain.
Find out how you can conserve energy in your home and at work.

sadistikdreams · 09-14-2007, 07:52 PM

Alright, I'll agree that my legs were designed to support my massive sexual organs. But they were also design to get me from point a to point b.

snowy · 09-14-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JinnKai

I'm curious about this one. Is the theory that less emissions will be spent transporting it to the market than foods grown farther away?

That and generally, locally-grown produce tends to be fresher, more likely to be organic, and even cheaper, since you save on transportation costs. It also doesn't come from a foreign country, where the standards for pesticides and herbicides may not be the same as our own.

I can easily buy all of the fruits and vegetables I eat in a week for $10 at my local farmer's market. By purchasing there, I am putting my money where my mouth is and supporting sustainable, organic agriculture.

ottopilot · 09-15-2007, 01:02 AM

Which causes more greenhouse gas emissions, the meat industry or motorized transportation?

Why ....it's delicious, tasty meat!

Just think, if everyone could stop eating meat we'd knock out nearly 20% of the problem in one big bite! (bad...sorry about that) But who wants to do that? ...plus all that political and economic stuff that would get in the way.

I love tasty steak!

Quote:

From the UN News Centre
Rearing cattle produces more greenhouse gases than driving cars, UN report warns

29 November 2006 – Cattle-rearing generates more global warming greenhouse gases, as measured in CO2 equivalent, than transportation, and smarter production methods, including improved animal diets to reduce enteric fermentation and consequent methane emissions, are urgently needed, according to a new United Nations report released today.

“Livestock are one of the most significant contributors to today’s most serious environmental problems,” senior UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) official Henning Steinfeld said. “Urgent action is required to remedy the situation.”

Cattle-rearing is also a major source of land and water degradation, according to the FAO report, Livestock’s Long Shadow–Environmental Issues and Options, of which Mr. Steinfeld is the senior author.

“The environmental costs per unit of livestock production must be cut by one half, just to avoid the level of damage worsening beyond its present level,” it warns.

When emissions from land use and land use change are included, the livestock sector accounts for 9 per cent of CO2 deriving from human-related activities, but produces a much larger share of even more harmful greenhouse gases. It generates 65 per cent of human-related nitrous oxide, which has 296 times the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of CO2. Most of this comes from manure.

And it accounts for respectively 37 per cent of all human-induced methane (23 times as warming as CO2), which is largely produced by the digestive system of ruminants, and 64 per cent of ammonia, which contributes significantly to acid rain.

With increased prosperity, people are consuming more meat and dairy products every year, the report notes. Global meat production is projected to more than double from 229 million tonnes in 1999/2001 to 465 million tonnes in 2050, while milk output is set to climb from 580 to 1043 million tonnes.

The global livestock sector is growing faster than any other agricultural sub-sector. It provides livelihoods to about 1.3 billion people and contributes about 40 per cent to global agricultural output. For many poor farmers in developing countries livestock are also a source of renewable energy for draft and an essential source of organic fertilizer for their crops.

Livestock now use 30 per cent of the earth’s entire land surface, mostly permanent pasture but also including 33 per cent of the global arable land used to producing feed for livestock, the report notes. As forests are cleared to create new pastures, it is a major driver of deforestation, especially in Latin America where, for example, some 70 per cent of former forests in the Amazon have been turned over to grazing.

At the same time herds cause wide-scale land degradation, with about 20 per cent of pastures considered degraded through overgrazing, compaction and erosion. This figure is even higher in the drylands where inappropriate policies and inadequate livestock management contribute to advancing desertification.

The livestock business is among the most damaging sectors to the earth’s increasingly scarce water resources, contributing among other things to water pollution from animal wastes, antibiotics and hormones, chemicals from tanneries, fertilizers and the pesticides used to spray feed crops.

Beyond improving animal diets, proposed remedies to the multiple problems include soil conservation methods together with controlled livestock exclusion from sensitive areas; setting up biogas plant initiatives to recycle manure; improving efficiency of irrigation systems; and introducing full-cost pricing for water together with taxes to discourage large-scale livestock concentration close to cities.

Quote:

Also...

"The FAO found that the ranching and slaughter of cows and other animals generates an estimated 18 percent of total human-induced greenhouse-gas emissions globally."

"The FAO estimates that cow manure and flatulence generate 30 to 40 percent of total methane emissions from human-influenced activities."

Quote:

29 November 2006 excerpts from supporting FAO report (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations )

"When emissions from land use and land use change are included, the livestock sector accounts for 9 percent of CO2 deriving from human-related activities, but produces a much larger share of even more harmful greenhouse gases. It generates 65 percent of human-related nitrous oxide, which has 296 times the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of CO2. Most of this comes from manure."

"And it accounts for respectively 37 percent of all human-induced methane (23 times as warming as CO2), which is largely produced by the digestive system of ruminants, and 64 percent of ammonia, which contributes significantly to acid rain."

Push-Pull · 09-15-2007, 06:57 AM

Quote:

I included as necessity, all 2x6 exterior walls which supported R-22 insulation, R-33 in the ceilings,

Really? Unless OC wasn't making the R-25 then, you could have gotten that, and as far as the ceilings, R30 is about the minimum around here. R38 and even R50 are VERY common to have done. This all a moot point considering you probably live in a considerably more temperate climate than the one I'm talking about.....

I do agree about the lights. All the insulation guys can do is work around them and you DO lose heat at those places.

Another house thing....If you live in a climate that allows you to use an evaporative cooler, don't open the windows to reduce pressure, instead get some updraft vents. This will basically force the cooler (excess) air into your attic, forcing out hotter air via your gable vents and helping to reduce the temperature up there, thus helping keep your living space cooler.

ngdawg · 09-15-2007, 07:33 AM

The first thing necessary is to make people aware that saving energy puts more money in their pockets. Preaching about saving the earth, saving the air, etc., won't get to a lot of people because they don't believe any of it. But, tell them it'll save them a ton of cash to do so and ears start to perk up.
I mentioned some things in a previous thread. They include:
Not using a clothes dryer to dry clothes completely. Fluff for 10 minutes and hang them to dry. Shut off the hot water feed to your washer. It's unnecessary.
Keep the thermostat no more than 10 degrees below the summer temps and under 70 in the winter.
Run all errands in one drive. Walk when you can and if you have one, use your motorcycle or bike.
BBQ. It will reduce your electric and gas usage and thus, cut your bills. Keep the BBQ clean to reduce fat burning.
If your home is not well insulated, insulate as much as you can and in the winter, seal your windows, specially those facing north and west, with heat shrinking plastic designed for window sealing(it peels right off in the spring).
Buy appliances with low energy usage-read the yellow tags.
Buy cotton clothes and household things like curtains for a myriad of reasons: no drycleaning, no synthetic maufacturing, easy care. There are a few companies that make 'natural' cotton clothes-no bleaching involved. ( and no drycleaning bills!)
Consider having yardsales instead of tossing things in the trash. There's always some geek who will buy that broken stereo for 5 bucks.
Use second hand things. Spouse makes beautiful wood things from found-on-the-curb wood with tools he found and rebuilt and we're picking up used bricks from construction sites for our sidewalks.
Grow your own veggies. Then compost or shred the plants.
All these things are earth-friendly, but the real noticeable effects are seen in your disposable cash-you'll have more of it.

DaveOrion · 09-15-2007, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Push-Pull

Really? Unless OC wasn't making the R-25 then, you could have gotten that, and as far as the ceilings, R30 is about the minimum around here. R38 and even R50 are VERY common to have done. This all a moot point considering you probably live in a considerably more temperate climate than the one I'm talking about.....

It was 5 years ago and that figure was off the top of my head, after doing a little checking I think it was actually R-21 in the 2x6 walls. I could've gotten a little more with spray foam insulation, but thats not real big in TN....yet. The ceilings were done with regular fibergass insulation that was R-33 (I think) then blown in insulation on top of that, which did raise the R-factor.

http://www.owenscorning.com/around/i...eriorwalls.asp

Quote:

R-21 Exterior 2 x 6 Wall Fiber Glass Insulation 5 1/2" Thick

maleficent · 09-15-2007, 01:26 PM

I'll happily stop talking... and maybe others could do the same thing...

get all politicans and talk show hosts and every person I deem a blow hard to shut up for a week or two -that's gotta make a difference...

i'm not giving up my air conditioner though..

Push-Pull · 09-16-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Keep the thermostat no more than 10 degrees below the summer temps and under 70 in the winter.

The under 70 part I can deal with, it's the 100* indoors part that I don't agree with here. (Yes, in our part of the world, it does get to 110*+ on occasion.....) But still, I try to keep it in the mid 80's, much to my wife's chagrin.

ngdawg · 09-16-2007, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Push-Pull

The under 70 part I can deal with, it's the 100* indoors part that I don't agree with here. (Yes, in our part of the world, it does get to 110*+ on occasion.....) But still, I try to keep it in the mid 80's, much to my wife's chagrin.

Perhaps I should have included a caveat-that is the recommended setting(by power companies) for the Northeast, where it very rarely gets over 100 degrees.

Ourcrazymodern? · 09-18-2007, 05:03 AM

I could probably die...

(Tic)

I love steak
And modern comforts:
We're not bad!

Lasereth · 09-18-2007, 07:01 AM

I think one of the major, major ways to help the earth is driving hybrid cars. Hybrid cars are starting to get some sick MPGs. I'm guilty of not driving a hybrid but if you're in the market for a car and don't care about power or flashiness then a hybrid is the way to go.

ottopilot · 09-18-2007, 08:34 AM

Hybrid battery manufacturers are doing much better as they phase out nickel based technology. Nickel is nasty stuff. Both Toyota and Honda have been very responsible in collecting and recycling hybrid batteries.

I hope fluorescent light-bulb manufacturers do a better job in creating bulbs without mercury and other hazardous materials.

Sion · 09-18-2007, 01:35 PM

if we all stopped being so damned selfish and cared a bit about our fellow humans, I bet this would be a nicer world to live in.

tecoyah · 09-18-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottopilot

I hope fluorescent light-bulb manufacturers do a better job in creating bulbs without mercury and other hazardous materials.

L.E.D.'s baby....we are almost there. In fact I have a shipment due this week for testing and comparison...I will post the results here.

ottopilot · 09-18-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tecoyah

L.E.D.'s baby....we are almost there. In fact I have a shipment due this week for testing and comparison...I will post the results here.

I like 'em ... kind of a surreal ambiance (just the one's I've seen). Let us know!

BigBaldRon · 09-18-2007, 07:31 PM

How about we get China and India to reduce their emissions?

And, realize that the earth's temperature hasn't raised more than one celcius degree in average temps over the past 100 years.

And, realize that spikes in global temperatures coincide with spikes in solar activity.

And, realize that we used to have an ice age. How did that end? Any ideas?
There were no cars, electric light bulbs, coal burning power plants, etc back then.
This is the planet's normal cycle of temperature and to think that we mere mortals can stop it is foolish.

analog · 09-18-2007, 09:53 PM

Maybe I'll put a bumper sticker on my car and then move on, like everyone else seems to do in America. Oh, and I'll add one pro- and one anti-whatever sticker for currently important issues to everyone else in my PTA.

DaveOrion · 09-19-2007, 01:40 AM

This isnt a global warming thread, if you'd like to post your thoughts on that, please refer to 'The north pole is melting' thread.

This thread is for ideas on how to save money, reduce emissions, and conserve energy.

Baraka_Guru · 09-19-2007, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBaldRon

How about we get China and India to reduce their emissions?

I would start at home. In North America, the emissions per capita is far higher than that of China and India. If anything, get them to conduct sustainable growth to ensure their per capita emissions don't grow to the level we see here.

Ourcrazymodern? · 09-19-2007, 05:19 PM

Our appetites outweigh our abilities to satisfy them...maybe we need a philosophical shift as well as better insulation and hybrid cars? Maybe we need to become more than what we are.

Probably I'm talking out of my ass and thus increasing "greenhouse gasses".

ILYDM

BigBaldRon · 09-19-2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveMatrix

This isnt a global warming thread, if you'd like to post your thoughts on that, please refer to 'The north pole is melting' thread.

This thread is for ideas on how to save money, reduce emissions, and conserve energy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveMatrix

I thought I'd start a thread so everyone could voice their opinion properly on what can be done about global warming,

Sorry. I must have read your first post wrong.

I am all for conserving energy. Not because it will positively effect the environment, but because it positively effects my wallet.

Either way, carry on.

DaveOrion · 09-20-2007, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBaldRon

Sorry. I must have read your first post wrong.

I am all for conserving energy. Not because it will positively effect the environment, but because it positively effects my wallet.

Either way, carry on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveMatrix

I thought I'd start a thread so everyone could voice their opinion properly on what can be done about global warming, to help conserve energy, to make this world a better place, for not only this generation, but others to come.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBaldRon

How about we get China and India to reduce their emissions?

And, realize that the earth's temperature hasn't raised more than one celcius degree in average temps over the past 100 years.

And, realize that spikes in global temperatures coincide with spikes in solar activity.

And, realize that we used to have an ice age. How did that end? Any ideas?
There were no cars, electric light bulbs, coal burning power plants, etc back then.
This is the planet's normal cycle of temperature and to think that we mere mortals can stop it is foolish.

This is the type of post, IMO, that belongs in the 'north pole is melting thread'. Except for the first line, it says nothing about ways to reduce energy use, stop global warming, make the world a better place, or save money. A nice friendly, name calling discussion is going on, in that other thread, about the issues you've raised Ron.

09-14-2007, 03:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
DaveOrion Playing With Fire Location: Disaster Area	What Can We All Do To Help??????? After a recent conversation in the shoutbox, I thought I'd start a thread so everyone could voice their opinion properly on what can be done about global warming, to help conserve energy, to make this world a better place, for not only this generation, but others to come. Any thoughts???? More to follow..... __________________ *Syriana*...have you ever tried liquid MDMA?....Liquid MDMA? No....Arash, when you wanna do this?.....After prayer...

09-14-2007, 03:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	Ride a bike, take a bus, reduce, reuse, recycle, walk more, eat food grown locally, volunteer, purchase sources of green energy instead of traditional energy... There are a ton of things we can do. We just need to do them. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

09-14-2007, 03:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
DaveOrion Playing With Fire Location: Disaster Area	When I built my house 5 years ago I already knew about all the problems with energy costs, depletion, and so on. I was also aware of the many ways to make a home more energy efficient and thus save more energy. An energy star rating on a new home is very important, at least if you care the slightest about the environment, future generations, or even saving money on your light bill. I included as necessity, all 2x6 exterior walls which supported R-22 insulation, R-33 in the ceilings, absolutely no recessed lighting in the ceiling itself, thats just a hole in your ceiling for heat to escape. If you must have them, build a dropdown bulkhead for the lights.... All holes for electricity, plumping, cable or whatever, are sealed with insulation and a proper caulking. All windows and doors are sealed with spray foam insulation, 10 times better than stuffing fiberglass insulation in there. All energy star rated appliances, furnace, hot water heater ( I wish I could've gotten a tankless, on demand water heater, but price was unfortunately an option) & air conditioning.....Thats just off the top of my head....much more was actually involved...oh yea, double paned windows...proper roof & soffit vents, proper landscape outside, pines on the north side and so on....... I dont drive a gas guzzling SUV either.... __________________ *Syriana*...have you ever tried liquid MDMA?....Liquid MDMA? No....Arash, when you wanna do this?.....After prayer...

09-14-2007, 04:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Infinite_Loser Junkie Location: Lake Mary, FL	Learn to walk. The world existed before cars and it'll exist long after they're gone. __________________ I believe in equality; Everyone is equally inferior to me.

09-14-2007, 04:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
World's King Here Location: Denver City Denver	Well, I for one am gonna stop farting. __________________ heavy is the head that wears the crown

09-14-2007, 03:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
sadistikdreams lonely rolling star Location: Seattle.	A good idea is to unplug your electronics after use.

09-14-2007, 05:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	My legs were designed by God to support my frame and massive sexual organs so that I could procreate many times and provide Him with many children. They were not designed for walking, nor was this Earth designed to be saved. It's only for our short time here. Once I'm in Heaven, why do I care what happened down here? Some people believe that. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

09-14-2007, 07:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	Support initiatives for sustainable development and the increased efficiency of energy use. Before you buy something, ask yourself if you really need it. Wait a day to see if you still want it. Support renewable energy. Be sure to eat a lot of things low on the food chain. Find out how you can conserve energy in your home and at work. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

09-14-2007, 07:52 PM	#14 (permalink)
sadistikdreams lonely rolling star Location: Seattle.	Alright, I'll agree that my legs were designed to support my massive sexual organs. But they were also design to get me from point a to point b.

09-15-2007, 07:33 AM	#18 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	The first thing necessary is to make people aware that saving energy puts more money in their pockets. Preaching about saving the earth, saving the air, etc., won't get to a lot of people because they don't believe any of it. But, tell them it'll save them a ton of cash to do so and ears start to perk up. I mentioned some things in a previous thread. They include: Not using a clothes dryer to dry clothes completely. Fluff for 10 minutes and hang them to dry. Shut off the hot water feed to your washer. It's unnecessary. Keep the thermostat no more than 10 degrees below the summer temps and under 70 in the winter. Run all errands in one drive. Walk when you can and if you have one, use your motorcycle or bike. BBQ. It will reduce your electric and gas usage and thus, cut your bills. Keep the BBQ clean to reduce fat burning. If your home is not well insulated, insulate as much as you can and in the winter, seal your windows, specially those facing north and west, with heat shrinking plastic designed for window sealing(it peels right off in the spring). Buy appliances with low energy usage-read the yellow tags. Buy cotton clothes and household things like curtains for a myriad of reasons: no drycleaning, no synthetic maufacturing, easy care. There are a few companies that make 'natural' cotton clothes-no bleaching involved. ( and no drycleaning bills!) Consider having yardsales instead of tossing things in the trash. There's always some geek who will buy that broken stereo for 5 bucks. Use second hand things. Spouse makes beautiful wood things from found-on-the-curb wood with tools he found and rebuilt and we're picking up used bricks from construction sites for our sidewalks. Grow your own veggies. Then compost or shred the plants. All these things are earth-friendly, but the real noticeable effects are seen in your disposable cash-you'll have more of it. __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

09-15-2007, 01:26 PM	#20 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	I'll happily stop talking... and maybe others could do the same thing... get all politicans and talk show hosts and every person I deem a blow hard to shut up for a week or two -that's gotta make a difference... i'm not giving up my air conditioner though.. __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

09-18-2007, 05:03 AM	#23 (permalink)
Ourcrazymodern? still, wondering. Location: South Minneapolis, somewhere near the gorgeous gorge	I could probably die... (Tic) I love steak And modern comforts: We're not bad! __________________ BE JUST AND FEAR NOT

09-18-2007, 07:01 AM	#24 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	I think one of the major, major ways to help the earth is driving hybrid cars. Hybrid cars are starting to get some sick MPGs. I'm guilty of not driving a hybrid but if you're in the market for a car and don't care about power or flashiness then a hybrid is the way to go.

09-18-2007, 08:34 AM	#25 (permalink)
ottopilot let me be clear Location: Waddy Peytona	Hybrid battery manufacturers are doing much better as they phase out nickel based technology. Nickel is nasty stuff. Both Toyota and Honda have been very responsible in collecting and recycling hybrid batteries. I hope fluorescent light-bulb manufacturers do a better job in creating bulbs without mercury and other hazardous materials.

09-18-2007, 01:35 PM	#26 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	if we all stopped being so damned selfish and cared a bit about our fellow humans, I bet this would be a nicer world to live in. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

09-18-2007, 07:31 PM	#29 (permalink)
BigBaldRon Tilted Location: St Louis	How about we get China and India to reduce their emissions? And, realize that the earth's temperature hasn't raised more than one celcius degree in average temps over the past 100 years. And, realize that spikes in global temperatures coincide with spikes in solar activity. And, realize that we used to have an ice age. How did that end? Any ideas? There were no cars, electric light bulbs, coal burning power plants, etc back then. This is the planet's normal cycle of temperature and to think that we mere mortals can stop it is foolish.

09-18-2007, 09:53 PM	#30 (permalink)
analog Banned	Maybe I'll put a bumper sticker on my car and then move on, like everyone else seems to do in America. Oh, and I'll add one pro- and one anti-whatever sticker for currently important issues to everyone else in my PTA.

09-19-2007, 01:40 AM	#31 (permalink)
DaveOrion Playing With Fire Location: Disaster Area	This isnt a global warming thread, if you'd like to post your thoughts on that, please refer to 'The north pole is melting' thread. This thread is for ideas on how to save money, reduce emissions, and conserve energy. __________________ *Syriana*...have you ever tried liquid MDMA?....Liquid MDMA? No....Arash, when you wanna do this?.....After prayer...

09-19-2007, 05:19 PM	#33 (permalink)
Ourcrazymodern? still, wondering. Location: South Minneapolis, somewhere near the gorgeous gorge	Our appetites outweigh our abilities to satisfy them...maybe we need a philosophical shift as well as better insulation and hybrid cars? Maybe we need to become more than what we are. Probably I'm talking out of my ass and thus increasing "greenhouse gasses". ILYDM __________________ BE JUST AND FEAR NOT