Category: Conservation

Just Turn it Off

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, Just Turn it OffLeave a comment

In my post of 9/6/12, I expressed some sketicism of “global warming” as promoted by politicians.  The trumpets of global warming are designed to make rich and accrue power for those who promote it.   Did you know that federal grants which question global warming are refused?  Did you know that there is no metric as to what aspect of global warming is due to natural causation and what due to man?  It’s not allowed for discussion.  Some science. . . .

Notwithstanding, in my very first post, I said we should be vigorous in protecting our precious environment.   I share the same objectives (conservation, recycling, renewable energy).  But I view the problem in a different way.  Global warming advocates say we should do these things because of global warming.  I say we should do these things because they are right.  In my prior post, I offered a watchword (my trademark) for conserving water and energy.  Just Turn it Off!   This simple phrase can make a difference and provide a 4 word education on conservation.  I mean what’s not to like?            

Let’s take water — We can’t live without it.  And there’s only so much of it on our planet.  Thus it is natural that we would want to conserve our precious supply of fresh water, use it sparingly and keep it potable. Yet most of the water that enters our homes literally goes down the drain.  So what can the average person do to conserve fresh water and to preserve this valuable commodity for future generations?  “Just turn it off.” 

By turning off the water when it is not in use, you save gallons of fresh water every day.  If every person in America saved one gallon of fresh water daily (the average shower uses 8 gallons), that translates to a savings of hundreds of millions of gallons of fresh water.  For your children.  Grandchildren. What can you do to help?  “Just turn it off.” 

● When taking a shower, turn on the water, get wet and then “Just turn it off.” Soap down while the water is off. Frankly you will probably get cleaner than if the water just continues pouring down the drain.

●  When shaving, turn off the water.  And rinse the razor as needed.

●  When rinsing dishes, reduce pressure or turn it off for each item.

●  Wash full loads of laundry. 

Post any comments on conserving water or energy!  And. . . . . Just turn it off!   

 

Cutting down on Waste

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, Cutting down on waste, JustturnitoffLeave a comment

My posts occasionally reference the environment — and conservation.  Here’s another. . . .

Every day I go out for lunch. Sometimes I go to a restaurant but most days I go to a sandwich or salad shop and bring something back to my office.

Everywhere I go, a carefully-wrapped sandwich is placed into a larger bag.  A salad is placed in a large bag.  And a small container of pasta or tuna salad is placed into a large bag. Bags bags bags bags. As soon as I get to my office I crumple the “bag” and toss it out.   A brand new and perfectly serviceable bag goes deep sixing into the garbage within minutes.

Many customers in the restaurants I visit take their sandwich “bag” from the counter, walk 10 feet, take out their wrapped sandwich and sit down in the seating area.  And the bag goes into the garbage. 

I started thinking about the waste incurred in this avalanche of paper that — usually within minutes (often seconds) — gets tossed out.   I would wager that most people are smart enough – and dextrous enough – to carry a wrapped 10 ounce sandwich a few feet.  How about suggesting to food purveyors to offer a bag if needed?   I would wager that in one day of saved bags, a lot of trees would be much happier . . . . and the environment just a wee bit cleaner.    Or – you can do this on your own.   Like I do.  You may want to pass this one along.   Every little bit helps.  Or hurts. 

And Speaking of Conservation

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, JustturnitoffLeave a comment

I go to a fitness center two or three times a week.  In the locker room, I see guys standing at the sinks.  Shaving.  They leave the water running full blast.   And they talk to friends.  Shave.  Talk.  An occasional rinse of the razor.  And the water runs.  Good, clean, fresh water.  Full blast.   Down the drain.  

In my post of July 26, 2011, I spoke of my registered trademark — JUST TURN IT OFF.  A trademark I have used in connection with small efforts in the direction of energy and water conservation.   It is something everyone can do.  Easily.  Shaving?  Turn the water on – and off – as needed.  It’s a small thing but it counts.   Shower?  Turn it on, get wet.  And turn it off while you soap down (I think I actually get “cleaner” this way).  Then rinse.  Going from room to room?  Turn off unneeded lights and energy.    Waiting in your car?  Turn off the engine. 

It doesn’t sound like much but just think if everyone saved one gallon of water a day.  That’s 300,000,000 plus gallons of clean, fresh water.   Save a quart?  That’s still 75,000,000 gallons a day.   Our children and grandchildren may need that water down the road.  I – like you – want it to be there. 

Try it.  Just turn it off. . . . .

Conservation

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, Energy Conservation1 Comment

My great friend Antonio, who lives in Monterrey, Mexico (see post of March 12, 2012), and I were communing about how conservation worked when we were young (he is a few years younger than me).  It was pretty simple.  

Bottles were returned for a deposit – then reused.  Clothes were dried on a line – by solar and wind power.  Not 220 volt dryers.  Diapers were washed and reused.  We had one television in the house with a screen the size of a placemat.  There were no “stadium sized” t.v.’s.  Our moms used an egg beater (there was no blender).  And when we shipped Christmas presents, our parents crumpled newspaper for packing.  There were no plastic “peanuts” or bubble wrap.  We cut the grass with a hand mower.    Wardrobes were pretty modest.  No “new models” except hand-me-downs.   There were no plastic water bottles (which today are made, used in a minute and thrown out by the trillions).  There was one water glass by the kitchen and bathroom sinks — that everyone used.   Rinse to clean – drink.   And stores and businesses had water fountains.  Thirsty?  Use the water fountain.   And dad changed razor blades in his Schick razor.  Nothing disposable. . . .  

Have we become lazy and complacent?  You tell me.   We hear the political trumpets sounding about saving the environment and how we must look forward and not back.  But I do think that looking backward – at least in some areas – could sure provide a lesson for looking ahead.