Took me an entire year, but I finally watch “An Inconvenient Truth” and I’m ready to do my part! Despite a clip showing Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe stating global warning is nothing but emotional hype, I’m naïve and optimistic enough to think I can actually “think green” in Oklahoma.
I wrote all the PC comments below first, but what I really want to say is:
I know why Tricky Jim thinks Global Warming is emotional hype. He represents a state mired in oil and beef, two of the major contributing factors to global warming. Fossil Fuel consumption is the #1 creator of greenhouse gases. Cows give off methane gas, the 2nd major contributor of greenhouse gases, when they breathe, so the environmentalists encourage people to consume less meat.
I’m more than willing to do my part by taking the bus. The pass is $40 a month, the same amount of money I spend each WEEK driving back and forth to work. So, Charlie and I checked out the OKC Metro bus schedules. I’d have to catch the bus at 6:45 a.m. and I’d get to work at 7:45 a.m. Unfortunately, the bus leaves my office at 4:29 p.m. and I don’t get off until 4:30, so I wouldn’t get home until almost 6:00 every night. I’m not sure losing 2 hours a day using public transportation is worth the sacrifice of spending time with my family. Plus, the bus system isn’t reliable and I wouldn’t want to risk being late. When is Oklahoma going to get a train system? Can you imagine the convenience of a train between OKC and Tulsa?
I checked out the website for An Inconvenient Truth and looked up how I can help. Interesting list, but how feasible are these things in Oklahoma?
- Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs.
- We’ve been doing this for awhile. Only problem with CFL’s is they don’t work with dimmer switches, but we don’t use dimmers.
- Set thermostat up 2 degrees in summer, 2 degrees down in winter.
- We already do this. I set the programmable thermostat to 75 in summer, 68 in winter and remind Charlie to quit trying to run around half-dressed when its 32 degrees outside.
- Clean/Change filters on furnace and air conditioner.
- The programmable thermostat reminds us to do this!
- Install a programmable thermostat.
- Done. (Came with the house)
- Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases.
- Yep, did this. Bought Energy Star compliant Kenmore appliances when we bought the new washer/dryer and frig a couple of years ago. The High-Efficiency washer is awesome! The tub is able to measure exactly how much water is needed for washing the load and doesn’t use more than it needs.
- Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket.
- I’ll send Charlie to the store this week to price some.
- Use less hot water. Install low flow showerhead.
- Charlie said no way to the low flow thing so I’ll just have to shower faster huh?
- Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible.
- In Oklahoma? I don’t think so. Maybe if I lived in Phoenix where clothes dry faster or something. They never quite get dry with the humidity being what it is in Oklahoma.
- Turn off electronic devices you’re not using.
- For some reason every light in my house seems to be on even if we’re not in that room using it. Get this – Charlie used to leave the laundry room light on at night for the cat. Hello! Cats have better night vision than we do!
- Unplug electronics from the wall when you’re not using them.
- Ok, maybe the phone charger, the boom box, the vacuum cleaner, etc. But, I’ll be damned if I’m gonna try to unplug the tv on a daily basis!
- Run your dishwasher only when there is a full load and use an energy-saving setting.
- Is there a prize for cramming as much stuff in the dishwasher as possible? If, I win!
- Insulate and weatherize your home.
- I think we need to look into this. I see areas around the house all the time that could use caulking or weatherstripping, especially the glass doors.
- Recycle at home.
- Where do you put it? I guess another area to research, because I’m not familiar with OKC yet. Got a link for Earth 911, so I’ll check that out this week.
- Buy recycled paper products.
- I used to order paper for an office and these actually cost more at the time. I just buy whatever is available.
- Plant a tree
- I don’t think we can plant any more in our yard without screwing up the house foundation, utilities or the sidewalks, but I’m sure we can check with the Arbor Day Foundation about helping or donating money to plant some in other areas. I like the trees planted in the medians on the freeways etc.
- Get a home energy audit.
- ONG called us one day to tell us our gas bill had spiked considerably. They came out to the house and discovered we had a leak in the valve going from the hot water tank, which we were able to fix ourselves. And they didn’t charge us a penny for the service.
- Switch to Green Power
- OGE uses a wind farm to generate electricity for customers.
TO BE CONTINUED (the list is 6 pages long)
Posted by ChattyCathy 