Could it be that we have reached the tipping point – that we have touched bottom so recovery is inevitable? While you might think I am talking about the economy, I am referring to the epidemic of obesity and excess weight. According to an October report by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one-quarter of people worldwide carry around more weight than a healthy body should. More people now die from being overweight than being underweight: more deaths occur from being over nourished instead of undernourished. The February 2010 Reader’s Digest said it best, “…it’s our appetite for prosperity and all its spoils that’s more likely to kill us now.”
The good news, memberships at health clubs and gyms is growing in the U.S. – and predicted to double in the next 20 years http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/health-club-memberships-good-for-you-864104.html . Is the growth due to an increased understanding of the relationship between health and exercise? Is it the social aspect of exercising with others? Perhaps it’s the cool membership card. Whatever the reason, it appears we’ve had enough of the consequences of prosperity – at least as they relate to our weight.
What about the consequences of prosperity and the health of the environment? Could it be that we will begin to take a collective responsibility for the consequences of prosperity now that we are experiencing a collective wake-up call about an unhealthy environment? Solar panels will help provide clean energy, but reliance on them won’t stop our demand for more – more products, more wasted energy to run those products, more solid waste to create and dispose of those products.
Are we hitting the bottom of wasting too much money, too much energy, too many resources?
It appears so. Jackie Crosby’s article “A New Consumer” in the Sunday 1/24/10 Star Tribune Money & Business section talks about the “frugal mindset” of consumers not willing to live beyond their means. While the article doesn’t directly address personal goals for improving the environment, the environment will benefit from a frugal consumer – those growing masses tired of paying high utility bills, that are disgusted with sub-par construction standards in housing, and who cringe weekly at the gas pump.
The best part about a waste-less program - no membership fees are required.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Ten Percent in 2010 – The Beginning of the Slow Green Movement
Are you concerned about the effort it would take to make your family more energy efficient so you can actually reduce your energy bills? Are you afraid that asking for change will create resistance? Do you want success? Then do what successful dieters do - take it slow, set reasonable goals, and establish exciting rewards.
A dieter that reduces their calories by 10% a day for a year will lose 20 pounds at the end of the year. This slow weight loss usually results in the weight being kept off because the steps to achieve the goal are reasonable. How do you eliminate 200 calories? Drink 12-16 oz. less regular beer. Or, eat ¼ cup less M&M candies. Or, eat 2-3 less cookies. Or, eat 1 ounce less of potato chips (what you usually get at a fast food restaurant). In other words, do a little. Save a lot.
If you reduce your electrical usage by just 10% this year, and 10% again every year for the next six years, you will find that you have reduced your annual electrical use by 50%. A 50% reduction could mean that solar is an affordable option. It could mean that the accumulated savings result in a family vacation.
The average household in the U.S. uses about 900 kWh of electrical energy per month at an average cost of $1,034 per year. A 10% reduction means reducing your electrical needs by 90 kWh per month and saving nearly $ 86.00 for the year. How do you do that? Here’s one example:
Plug home electronics products - computers, printers, and entertainment equipment(TV, VCR, DVD) into power strips and turn them off when not in use – don’t leave them in stand-by mode http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductCategory&pcw_code=HEF. This action alone may save $100/year, which is more than 10%, and took little effort.
Just imagine if everyone joined the Slow Green Movement. In six years, homes would be using 50% less electricity, and residential buildings would be having a huge impact on energy security – without the need for drastic, unsustainable change. Take it slow and steady. But, do it.
A dieter that reduces their calories by 10% a day for a year will lose 20 pounds at the end of the year. This slow weight loss usually results in the weight being kept off because the steps to achieve the goal are reasonable. How do you eliminate 200 calories? Drink 12-16 oz. less regular beer. Or, eat ¼ cup less M&M candies. Or, eat 2-3 less cookies. Or, eat 1 ounce less of potato chips (what you usually get at a fast food restaurant). In other words, do a little. Save a lot.
If you reduce your electrical usage by just 10% this year, and 10% again every year for the next six years, you will find that you have reduced your annual electrical use by 50%. A 50% reduction could mean that solar is an affordable option. It could mean that the accumulated savings result in a family vacation.
The average household in the U.S. uses about 900 kWh of electrical energy per month at an average cost of $1,034 per year. A 10% reduction means reducing your electrical needs by 90 kWh per month and saving nearly $ 86.00 for the year. How do you do that? Here’s one example:
Plug home electronics products - computers, printers, and entertainment equipment(TV, VCR, DVD) into power strips and turn them off when not in use – don’t leave them in stand-by mode http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductCategory&pcw_code=HEF. This action alone may save $100/year, which is more than 10%, and took little effort.
Just imagine if everyone joined the Slow Green Movement. In six years, homes would be using 50% less electricity, and residential buildings would be having a huge impact on energy security – without the need for drastic, unsustainable change. Take it slow and steady. But, do it.
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