Category: Just Turn it Off

And Speaking of Conservation

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, Just Turn it OffLeave a comment

[An early repeat of May 21, 2012] I go to the local fitness center a few times a week.  In the locker room, guys sometimes stand at the sink.  Shaving.  I remember one guy had the water on full blast. He walked around the locker area while the water ran in the sink. Talked. Laughed. Then slowly back — to rinse the razor.  And back to chat by a locker. And the water ran.  Good, clean, fresh water.  Full blast.   Down the drain. Never to return. . . . . 

In my post of July 26, 2011, I spoke of my registered trademark — JUST TURN IT OFF.  A trademark I used in connection with small efforts in the direction of energy and water conservation.   It is something everyone can do.  It’s easy.  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.  Washing dishes? Use water as needed. 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 every American saved one gallon of water a day.  That’s 300,000,000 plus gallons of clean, fresh water.   Enough to fill 455 Olympic sized swimming pools. Save a quart?  That’s still 75,000,000 gallons a day.   Our children and grandchildren will need clean water down the road.  I – like you – want it to be there for them. 

Try it.  Just turn it off. . . . .

Conservation

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[An oldie from May 18, 2012] My good 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.  No 220 volt dryers chugging for an hour and a half.  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” televisions.  Our moms used an egg beater to whisk everything (there was no blender).  And when we shipped Christmas presents, our parents crumpled newspapers for packing.  There were no plastic “peanuts” or bubble wrap.  We cut the grass with a hand mower.    And raked leaves. 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 billions).  There was one water glass by the kitchen and bathroom sinks — that everyone used.   Rinse to clean – drink.   Stores and businesses had water fountains.  Thirsty?  Use the water fountain.   And my father changed razor blades in his Schick razor.  Very little was “disposable” . . . .  

Have we become lazy and complacent?  You tell me.   We hear 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 how we might best look ahead.

Saving the Planet?

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, Energy Conservation, Just Turn it Off2 Comments

I listened to some journalists talk about how we need to do “more” to save the planet. I agree but I think back to the time when I was growing up in the 1950’s.

Bottles were returned for a deposit – then reused. There were no plastic water bottles (which today are used in a minute and tossed out by the billions). Clothes were dried on a line – by solar and wind power. No 220 volt dryers chugging for an hour and a half. 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” televisions sucking electricity. Our moms used an egg beater to whisk everything (there was no electric blender). And when we shipped Christmas presents, our parents crumpled newspapers for packing. There were no plastic “peanuts” or bubble wrap. We cut the grass with a hand mower. And raked leaves. No blowers. Wardrobes were pretty modest. Not many “new models” except hand-me-downs. In my house, we had one water glass by the kitchen and bathroom sinks — that everyone used. Rinse to clean – drink. Stores and businesses had water fountains. Thirsty? Use the water fountain. My father changed razor blades in his Schick razor. No disposable razors. Empty jelly jars were repurposed to be our daily dining table “crystal.” Very little was “disposable.” We had no air conditioning. We opened the windows and slept on a towel in super hot weather . . . .

Have we become lazy or complacent? You tell me. We hear 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 how we might best look ahead.

Just Turn it Off

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, Just Turn it Off1 Comment

We are all concerned about our environment and about the conservation of water and energy.  For several years, I have posed a slogan for conserving water, energy and emissions. All we have to do is  Just Turn it Off®!   In my opinion, abiding by this simple but catchy phrase can make a difference. I mean — what’s not to like?   

WATER . . . .  We can’t live without it.  But there’s only so much of it on our planet.  And more than 95% of the water on our planet is salt water.  Thus it is natural that we would want to conserve our precious supply of fresh water, to use it sparingly and to keep it potable. Most of the water that enters our homes literally goes down the drain – into the sewer.  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 just “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, that translates to a savings of hundreds of millions of gallons of fresh water. So what can you do to help?  JUST TURN IT OFF®. 

●  When shaving, instead of leaving the water run, JUST TURN IT OFF®.  And turn it on to rinse the razor as needed.

●  When taking a shower, turn on the water – get it to the temperature desired – stand under the shower 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 rinsing dishes, instead of leaving the water run, JUST TURN IT OFF® and turn it on to rinse the next plate or pan. 

●  When watering outdoor plants and shrubs, make each drop count.  Use an on/off nozzle so that when moving from one plant to the next, you can JUST TURN IT OFF®. 

●  Toilets should provide a flushing choice for disposing of liquid and solid waste. And you don’t have to flush every time if you get my drift. 

●  Rely on Mother Nature to water the lawn.  Use sprinklers only when necessary.

●  Wash only full loads of laundry. 

Let me know of any ideas you have to conserve water or energy! 

IPCC

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, IPCC, Just Turn it OffLeave a comment

On August 9th, The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued its latest findings. The report remains serious though it downgrades several points (there is “low confidence” that the Antarctic sea ice will melt; “low confidence” in all-category tropical cyclones; there remain questions on direct linkage of warming to catastrophic weather events; etc.).

Notwithstanding, it is imperative that we address water shortages, rising temperatures, wildfires, suffocating pollution, greenhouse gasses, deforestation, habitat destruction and storms that breach the barriers or break the power grid.  

And whatever your position on climate change, it is incumbent for each one of us to be diligent about recycling, conserving water and energy (“Just Turn it Off”®), limiting carbon emissions, being frugal about using and scrapping disposable products (like plastic water bottles), conscientious use of food products and being attentive to the fact that voices yet unheard will soon inherit our precious planet.  I’ve addressed environmental issues in the past (e.g. 11/29/18 – water; and 12/16/18 – energy; and the very first post- 7/23/11).

Each one of us has the capability to make a difference on protecting our planet.  Just think if everyone felt this way. 

Paper Gets a Second Chance

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I do a fair amount of writing on paper. Notes. Phone numbers. Shopping list. Flow charts. Ideas. Cartoons.  Meaningful quotes. Letters. And so on. If I no longer need my scribbles, I put the sheet in recycling and move on to a fresh, blank page.  What’s interesting is that my meanderings are usually penned on used paper. Let me explain.

My printer often spits out more paper than needed.  Rather than toss out the nearly-blank pages, I save them.  Turn them over and clip them together.  And use these slightly-used sheets as my pad of paper.  I have been doing this for years. It started at work – creating my own legal pads from “used” paper. Paper that is blank on one side with printing or writing on the other.

I feel strongly about conservation.  And recycling.  My trademark JUST TURN IT OFF® says it all (see post of July 23, 2011).  Each one of us has the capacity to conserve water, energy and clean air (see May 21, 2012); stretch products like shampoo (see April 11, 2013); reuse “zarfs” (see October 29, 2015); reuse bags (see August 6, 2012).  There are major efforts on a grand scale to address climate change by restructuring energy and transportation systems. And yet — each one of us has potential to make a difference in the world.  Just think if every person saved one sheet of paper, one gallon of water, one kilowatt of energy – each day. . . .  

“It’s the little details that are vital.  Little things make big things happen.”   — John Wooden 

The Slop Bucket

On By scottpetersenIn Composting, Conservation, Energy Conservation, Just Turn it Off, RecyclingLeave a comment

Years ago, I worked at a Boy Scout camp in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. Before being accepted for Staff, a young man would serve as a “trainee” for a month. Trainees would rotate through the various camp areas.  Doing the grunt work.   And spending a fair amount of time in the kitchen peeling potatoes, doing dishes and cleaning up.

After meals in the Mess Hall, Scouts and trainees would bus the tables. We would throw paper garbage into one garbage can. And we would put food waste into another.  The food barrel was called the “slop bucket.”  We were always careful about putting food scraps (no bones, no paper) in the slop bucket because we would give the slop bucket each day to a local farmer who would use it to feed his flock of pigs.  Uneaten food was used. . . . .

I have posted frequently on environmental issues.  And I have touted my registered trademark – JUST TURN IT OFF — a motto that applies to cars, lights, water and energy. 

When I read about how the earth is being inundated with waste, oceans are overflowing with garbage, rivers and lakes turning toxic and how many folks remain heedless of our environment, I get a wee bit steamed.   But then I simmer down — and start thinking about what we can do.  “Just turning off” your water, lights, car, energy – is one thing.  But there is also merit in reusing bags, bottles, containers.  And not polluting.  And then there is recycling. 

But there is also composting. Taking food waste and carefully mixing it with soil.  In the garden.  Or backyard.  You don’t need a slop bucket.  

We ALL really need to get on board with this idea of helping our limping planet along.  Pronto. We live here.  But we also have generations of souls who yet have no voice – who will have to live here too.  And they will have no choice but to take what we give them. . . . .   

Just Turn it Off — Energy

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You turn on the A/C on a hot day.   And the house becomes cooler!  The T.V. works.  The coffeemaker.  Your electric toothbrush.  It’s a miracle!   Yet the miracle of electricity is powered by carbon-based fuel sources (coal, oil and gas). The more electricity we use, the more fuel we burn. The more fuel we burn, the less we have — and more pollution enters our atmosphere.
By turning off electrical appliances when not in use, you save kilowatts of energy.  You save dollars.  And you save a bit of the planet at the same time. If every person in America – the world – saved a few kilowatts of energy daily, it would translate to a savings of many barrels of oil and many dollars in energy costs.  And our atmosphere might just become a bit cleaner.

What can you do to help? Keep in mind the Renaissance Hombre’s trademark — JUST TURN IT OFF®.
● Shut down your computer and turn off the screen at the end of the day.  Turn off the printer when not in use.
● Turn off unneeded lights and appliances in your home and office.
● Turn down the hot water heater when leaving for a weekend, a week or a month.
● Adjust temperature settings – 1° cooler in winter and 1° warmer in summer. And adjust settings up or down when on vacation.                        ● Use LED lighting or at least lower wattage on lighting.                                ● Unplug your phone chargers when not in use.     

Our planet needs help.  And each one of us – you/me – has an obligation to make the world a better place for those future generations.  Those who have no voice today.  Please.  JUST TURN IT OFF. . . . . .                                    

 

Just Turn it Off – Water

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, Just Turn it OffLeave a comment

I am concerned about the environment.  Especially given the world’s casual abuse of air, land and water.  And now with the troubling National Climate Assessment report.  My very first blog entry touched on the subject of conservation.  It has been a theme in many of my posts.  One way everyone can help — is to Just Turn it Off®!   

Take WATER.  We cannot live without it.  Yet there’s only so much of it.  And more than 95% of the water on our planet is salt water.  Thus it is natural that we would want to shepherd our precious supply of fresh water, to use it sparingly and keep it clean and potable.   But most of the water that enters our homes literally goes down the drain – into the sewer.  So what can the average person do to conserve this valuable commodity for future generations?  JUST TURN IT OFF®.   If every person in America saved one gallon of fresh water daily, that translates to a savings of hundreds of millions of gallons of fresh water.  

Consider the following. . . . .  

●  When shaving or washing, instead of leaving the water run, JUST TURN IT OFF.  And turn it on to rinse as needed.

●  When taking a shower, turn on the water – get it to the temperature desired – stand under the shower 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 to pour down the drain.  This is what Europeans do – and the military.   

●  When rinsing dishes, don’t just let the water run.  JUST TURN IT OFF and turn it on to rinse the next plate or pan. 

●  Make each drop count when watering plants and shrubs.  Use an on/off nozzle so that when moving from one plant to the next, so you can JUST TURN IT OFF. 

●  Toilets should provide a flushing choice for disposing of liquid and solid waste.  And by the way, “if it’s yellow, let it mellow.  If it’s brown, flush it down.”  You heard that right.  There is no need to flush every time. . . . .   

●  Rely on Mother Nature to water the lawn.  Use sprinklers when necessary.

●  In the laundry room, use less hot water, run full loads or use size cycles, skip the extra rinse and reuse towels (always a big drain on water).

Please — save water.  JUST TURN IT OFF (it’s the RH’s registered trademark).  The children of tomorrow – those with no voices today — will thank you. . . . . .

 

Recycling

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, Just Turn it Off, Saving bagsLeave a comment

Every day I have lunch. Sometimes I go to a restaurant but most days I grab a sandwich, soup or salad and bring it 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 would crumple the “bag” and toss it out.   A brand new and perfectly serviceable bag goes deep six into the garbage within minutes.

I see some folks in these places take their sandwich bag from the counter, walk 10 feet, take out their wrapped sandwich and sit down in the seating area.  And pitch the bag into the garbage. 

I considered the waste incurred in this avalanche of paper that — usually within minutes (often seconds) — gets tossed out.   So for years, I bring the same dog-eared bags back to my lunch joints (I have a collection of bags in my office).  And reuse them.  Just think if everyone reused bags (lunch, shopping or whatever).  I would wager that in one day of saved bags, a lot of trees would be much happier . . . . and the environment a wee bit cleaner.   You can also save coffee sleeves (see 10/29/15), note pads (see 7/20/17), water and energy (see “Just Turn it Off” – 7/26/11).  

I figure I’ve saved a tree.  Or two.  And a few gallons of water.  Every little bit helps.  Or hurts.  Do it for your grandchildren.    You can do this!