Earth Day!

[IDS2 3,431]

Today is Earth Day! Discuss it here.

[Smarty218 2]

Save power everyone! Don't log on to your computers today!

I'm not much of an example am I?

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: Smarty218 Save power everyone! Don't log on to your computers today!

I'm not much of an example am I?quote>

THE FUN CANNOT BE HALTED!!!!!

[Callbat 8]

whoopee.

Hooray earth.

Ok lets get back to our Hummers now.

[hym 358]

Considering it's Earth Day I'll leave everyone with this tought: According to the information provided by a ethanol proponent website, it would take over 50 acres of corn yearly just to power my university's 100 terminal computer lab--if all the machines did nothing by remain in standby power.

[Meg 368]

Saving energy doesn't have to be a painful thing.  There are many things we can do that would make a difference that wouldn't be painful.

Why do we spend energy shipping bottled water from a far away place?   I live in a place with perfectly good water but I can walk into a store and find water bottled from across the pond.  I'm all for having cold, portable water available but is there some reason we can't use water from our own time zone?

Why do we spend energy shipping goods across the country via tractor trailer?   It is much cheaper, energy wise, to use freight rail.   Trucks are good for the short haul, from the train depot to the stores.  and it would get most of those huge trucks off of the highway.  Reducing traffic is a good thing.  The long haul truckers might not like this but they aren't happy spending $1,000 to fill up their tanks as it is.

I've had a hybrid car for almost 4 years now.  I think it's great.  I recently calculated that I've saved over $3,500 in gas.  What's not to like?  I've heard guys say that they will buy a hybrid when it comes in a convertible or a pick-up truck.   I believe that time will come.

[Voar Tok 4]

There's been some, not much though, talk about earth day around here.  School cafeterias are well known for not exactly being the places with the best use of food (like leaving the plate half untouched) so the cafeteria here is doing something kind of interesting in taking all the food the students send back and weighing it to see how much is wasted.  Should be interesting.

Originally posted by: SkiGeek

Why do we spend energy shipping goods across the country via tractor trailer?   It is much cheaper, energy wise, to use freight rail.   Trucks are good for the short haul, from the train depot to the stores.  and it would get most of those huge trucks off of the highway.  Reducing traffic is a good thing.  The long haul truckers might not like this but they aren't happy spending $1,000 to fill up their tanks as it is.quote>

Unfortunately, when you factor in the other costs of shipping by rail, it suddenly becomes a lot less economical unless you have a large shipment.

[saltandsauce 0]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek Saving energy doesn't have to be a painful thing.  There are many things we can do that would make a difference that wouldn't be painful.

Why do we spend energy shipping bottled water from a far away place?   I live in a place with perfectly good water but I can walk into a store and find water bottled from across the pond.  I'm all for having cold, portable water available but is there some reason we can't use water from our own time zone?

Why do we spend energy shipping goods across the country via tractor trailer?   It is much cheaper, energy wise, to use freight rail.   Trucks are good for the short haul, from the train depot to the stores.  and it would get most of those huge trucks off of the highway.  Reducing traffic is a good thing.  The long haul truckers might not like this but they aren't happy spending $1,000 to fill up their tanks as it is.

I've had a hybrid car for almost 4 years now.  I think it's great.  I recently calculated that I've saved over $3,500 in gas.  What's not to like?  I've heard guys say that they will buy a hybrid when it comes in a convertible or a pick-up truck.   I believe that time will come.quote>

i just get the bus

[hijodecordoba 74]

i don't wanna be the pessimist in charge today, but i will leave you with some own or somewhere heard (radical) thoughts. i think, there will never be a united proctection of the enviroment, because some states just don't have the opportunity (e.g. money is needed) and the state who could do so, wouldn't protect the enviroment with all there might (they take measures) unless there is a way to benefit from it or the "reactions of the earth" become even stronger.

anyhow, to make this clear - to protect the enviroment is absolutly necessary and every little contribution is useful.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Do your part stop haveing Kids.

[jayo 44]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek Saving energy doesn't have to be a painful thing.  There are many things we can do that would make a difference that wouldn't be painful.

quote>

I don't usually hurt myself when i drink mineral water

Actually,alot of water companys in England get there water from springs around the UK

[Duke87 1,070]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek Why do we spend energy shipping bottled water from a far away place?   I live in a place with perfectly good water but I can walk into a store and find water bottled from across the pond.  I'm all for having cold, portable water available but is there some reason we can't use water from our own time zone? quote>

For whatever crazy reason, a lot of people find the idea of drinking tap water disgusting. "It's unclean, it's got chemicals in it", etc. Well, that water is perfectly safe to drink. There are EPA regulations governing how much of what can be in it and the water is treated to meet them.

The really amusing part, though, is when people willingly drink directly from a water fountain but refuse to drink from a glass you filled at the kitchen sink unless there's one of those Brita filters or something. That water all comes from the same place...

Thing is, people get this idea in their head that water fountains are intended for drinking from and sinks are not. While that may be true, it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with drinking water from a faucet.

Why do we spend energy shipping goods across the country via tractor trailer?   It is much cheaper, energy wise, to use freight rail.   Trucks are good for the short haul, from the train depot to the stores.  and it would get most of those huge trucks off of the highway.  Reducing traffic is a good thing.  The long haul truckers might not like this but they aren't happy spending $1,000 to fill up their tanks as it is.quote>

Well, I know this: there were plans floated to take some trucks off the road by taking goods by ship from Port Newark to other significant coastal cities in the area like Bridgeport and New Haven- and between various major ports on the east coast. It never happened. Know why? Because the American Truckers Union threw their hands in the air and started screaming- It would cost truckers their jobs.

I've had a hybrid car for almost 4 years now.  I think it's great.  I recently calculated that I've saved over $3,500 in gas.  What's not to like?  I've heard guys say that they will buy a hybrid when it comes in a convertible or a pick-up truck.   I believe that time will come.quote>

Trouble with hybrids is, the car companies fudge things in their favor with the marketing. Toyota has been known to compare the gas mileage of the Prius with that of an "equivalent  traditional fuel car". Trouble is, that car is larger than the  Prius (I forget which car it is). Were they to compare it to a car which is of a similar size, the difference in gas mileage would diminish by a not insignificant amount.

The other issue is that the fuel savings come largely with city driving, due to recovering braking energy. With highway driving, the fuel savings are significantly less.

When they first came out, there was also the problem that due to them being more expensive, it would take over five years of driving the thing regularly in order for the savings on fuel to balance out the added upfront cost of the car. And the batteries aren't reliable enough to be expected to last much longer than five years. But gas has gotten a lot more expensive since then, and the extra upfront cost has gone down... and as such it's now actually a financially beneficial move.  And then of course there's the politics of it. A lot of people take pride in being able to say they drive a hybrid.

Originally posted by: saltandsauce i just get the busquote>

Mass transit is even better than a hybrid, greenwise. Thing i

[Easy Bakes 253]

Plus the fact that a lot of bottled water is taken directly from local drinking water sources, you just pay 1000X mark up on it.

[patriots_1228 51]

Funny thing is, today on earth day was the first time you couldn't clearly see the boston skyline from Mitt Romney's Mormon Palace in Arlington, Massachusetts. First time i have ever seen that much foggy smoggy crap in the air here.

[hamsterTK 93]

Unfortunately, when you factor in the other costs of shipping by rail, it suddenly becomes a lot less economical unless you have a large shipment.quote>

well as a private money-making businesses, intermodal truck lines working alongside railroads seem to be doing just fine proving you wrong

[belfastuniguy 18]

Why do we spend energy shipping bottled water from a far away place? I live in a place with perfectly good water but I can walk into a store and find water bottled from across the pond. I'm all for having cold, portable water available but is there some reason we can't use water from our own time zone?quote>

I agree. I mean I can walk into a local supermarket and see bottled water for Fiji.......yes Fiji. I do like bottled water, it has its purposes but I do drink tap water though the drinking water comes from the integrated Brita tap we have. Just easier then filling a filter jug really. Even if you don't have filtered water on tap the water is still very safe to drink and clean, especially here in Northern Ireland where we have ample water sources and very very low levels of water pollution.

The bottled water 'fashion' has just gotten out of hand to be honest.

I've had a hybrid car for almost 4 years now. I think it's great. I recently calculated that I've saved over $3,500 in gas. What's not to like? I've heard guys say that they will buy a hybrid when it comes in a convertible or a pick-up truck. I believe that time will come.quote>

We recently changed one of our cars, a 4x4 to the hybrid version. Parents considering doing the same with the other cars as well. I do drive but I also use public transport as well especially trains.

As for 'helping the earth' my family and I do try to do our bit, Our council has red kerbside bins for assorted recyclable waste (such as tins, cardboard, glass and foil), brown wheeled bins for garden waste that goes for composting, blue wheeled bins for paper, dark brown kerbside bins for kitchen food waste for composting and the normal black wheeled bin for standard waste. We do out best to separate and encourage recycling.

We also have a lot of energy saving bulbs around the house and do not leave things on standby in addition to off-setting our flights. Though we can only do so much to be honest, comes a point where we can't do much more. But everyone can makes changes in lifestyle, and they don't impact that greatly that all on it and you'll feel better about doing it as well.

[Vandy 110]

Hi, All.

I would like to thank everyone who has posted in this most interesting thread.  There have been a number of ideas advanced -- good, everyone.  One of these days (I hope to GOD it happens), people will finally get the message that green is good.

I attending one of the original Earth Day rallies on this date in Philadelphia in 1970.  (I still have my original Earth Day button!)  Everyone was "ga-ga for green".  There were inspiring speeches, politically motivated forums, discussion groups, music, drink, groupies, (you get the picture, right?) --  lets say it was reallly quite a great day.

Now, 38 years later, I see many of the same discussions, hear many of the same speeches and politically motivated "harangues" but, unfortunately, not much progress.

Maybe our children will have more success...

Regards,

Gary

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: Vandy

I attending one of the original Earth Day rallies on this date in Philadelphia in 1970.  (I still have my original Earth Day button!)  Everyone was "ga-ga for green".  There were inspiring speeches, politically motivated forums, discussion groups, music, drink, groupies, (you get the picture, right?) --  lets say it was reallly quite a great day. quote>

Those were the days, my friend. 

::: wonders how many people besides Vandy now have a song going through their head :::

Now, 38 years later, I see many of the same discussions, hear many of the same speeches and politically motivated "harangues" but, unfortunately, not much progress.quote>

There has been some progress.  Back then we didn't have curbside recycling, hybrid cars, energystar ratings on appliances, and so forth.  But I see your point:  looking at things now, compared to the goals back then, it does seem like we are moving at a snail's pace.

[un1 41]

Snail's pace is better than not getting better at all!!

I always remeber Earth Day as it is my aunts B-Day.

[Voar Tok 4]

Originally posted by: hamsterTK

Unfortunately, when you factor in the other costs of shipping by rail, it suddenly becomes a lot less economical unless you have a large shipment.quote>

well as a private money-making businesses, intermodal truck lines working alongside railroads seem to be doing just fine proving you wrong quote>

No, it doesn't.  I can explain why, but that'd be off-topic.  If you want me to explain, send me a PM.

[TRNSTN 0]

i'm glad there is an Earth Day. But, people are forgetting the relevance of it, as corporations simply use it to further advance advertising campaigns. That's a very pessimistic view of it but it's happening.

It's a good thing to have a day a year to remember we live on a planet that is reactive to the damage we do to it, but here's my message to everyone:

This is not Earth's birthday, and we should not treat it like a birthday. Everyday I celebrate the Earth, by doing my part to protect it and conserve it. On Earthday I do not use less gas, take the bus anymore than I do, eat less food (meat, 1000 mile salads) or use less electricity than I usually do for the past 364 days. Everyone can be and is an environmentalist, it's not the responsibility of the few who care to make things happen and make change, everyone has to participate, every hour, every day every week every month of the year. I guess that's what Earth day is about, to take a look back at the rest of the year that you've been taking care of the planet. Give yourself a pat on the back, or start today, Earth Day is a life long commitment.

[IDS2 3,431]

Originally posted by: TRNSTN i'm glad there is an Earth Day. But, people are forgetting the relevance of it, as corporations simply use it to further advance advertising campaigns. That's a very pessimistic view of it but it's happening.

It's a good thing to have a day a year to remember we live on a planet that is reactive to the damage we do to it, but here's my message to everyone:

This is not Earth's birthday, and we should not treat it like a birthday. Everyday I celebrate the Earth, by doing my part to protect it and conserve it. On Earthday I do not use less gas, take the bus anymore than I do, eat less food (meat, 1000 mile salads) or use less electricity than I usually do for the past 364 days. Everyone can be and is an environmentalist, it's not the responsibility of the few who care to make things happen and make change, everyone has to participate, every hour, every day every week every month of the year. I guess that's what Earth day is about, to take a look back at the rest of the year that you've been taking care of the planet. Give yourself a pat on the back, or start today, Earth Day is a life long commitment.

quote>

Cheers to that!

[BurroDiablo 222]

First day at work... I recycled about 5000 books which means I have the god given right to come home and waste electricity

[M-SIL 2]

Originally posted by: TRNSTN  i'm glad there is an Earth Day. But, people are forgetting the relevance of it, as corporations simply use it to further advance advertising campaigns. That's a very pessimistic view of it but it's happening.

It's a good thing to have a day a year to remember we live on a planet that is reactive to the damage we do to it, but here's my message to everyone:

This is not Earth's birthday, and we should not treat it like a birthday. Everyday I celebrate the Earth, by doing my part to protect it and conserve it. On Earthday I do not use less gas, take the bus anymore than I do, eat less food (meat, 1000 mile salads) or use less electricity than I usually do for the past 364 days. Everyone can be and is an environmentalist, it's not the responsibility of the few who care to make things happen and make change, everyone has to participate, every hour, every day every week every month of the year. I guess that's what Earth day is about, to take a look back at the rest of the year that you've been taking care of the planet. Give yourself a pat on the back, or start today, Earth Day is a life long commitment.

quote>

Another thing I'll like to add is, take it one step at a time and commit to it. A great small step is to turn off your surge protector (where all your most use electronic items are plugged into) at night or at work. Keep adding more things to do in step (like mowing the yard after 5 pm, recycling, and collecting yard compost) and soon, you could become a environmentalist. Plus, it will save you alot of $$$ in the process.

[xmike1991 2]

ironically today was the most ive traveled in a car so far in 2008 and it was well nice today. couldve easily biked. but nope, had to blast the music

[Bumdark 3]

[insert shamefaced smiley here] I didn't even know it was Earth Day, or when Earth Day even was!

I may not be the greatest contributor to a green world, or even as I could be, yet thankfully my parents have infused some good habits into me. For example, I always turn off water when I bathe or when I brush my teeth, or shave; I always turn off lights around the house that aren't needed (to the point where it annoys my Dad 'cause he usually does need those lights... *guilty*), I always encourage green bags when shopping (those recyclable paper bags), and I always, ALWAYS, recycle – unfortunately, this last one actually gets overhand, as I sometimes throw away things that aren't recyclable, just out of habit, instead of using the trash can...

As they say, one person sure as Hell won't change a thing – it's an entity (many people as one) that does. Say, a planet-wide entity. (That would be my dream! Take those damn Hummers and SUVs off the road, get Hybrids instead!). I'm definately getting a Hybrid when I get my first car... if I can afford it on a Student's salary

[Smarty218 2]

Take those damn Hummers and SUVs off the road, get Hybrids instead!).quote>

Wanna know what's funny? I saw a hummer today with "Respect Our Earth" written across both sides and the back. I think he pulled into the gas station right after I passed because he was in the turning lane!

[LironTheChick 20]

About the tap water, towns near manila here in the Philippines has a murky water on the river and a slightly brownish water in the sink.

[TRNSTN 0]

Originally posted by: noypi07 About the tap water, towns near manila here in the Philippines has a murky water on the river and a slightly brownish water in the sink.quote>

Obviously they are not filtered to standard and the rivers are polluted, that's a pretty big issue in itself.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: TRNSTN

Originally posted by: noypi07 About the tap water, towns near manila here in the Philippines has a murky water on the river and a slightly brownish water in the sink.quote>

Obviously they are not filtered to standard and the rivers are polluted, that's a pretty big issue in itself.quote>

yeah, I'd be happy to drink bottled water shipped in from wherever in that situation.