Taking Action on the Pledge

erin — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:16:25 -0700

If you're like most of us, you've taken the pledge because you are interested in taking personal action to solve the climate crisis but are wondering how you should get started. If you haven't taken the pledge yet, take the Pledge. There are a variety of impactful measures you can start with. Some take one minute and cost nothing. Some take a little time and money up front in order to reap the climate benefits and saved costs. Here are a few tips for each section of the pledge to help you get started on the pathway to a lower climate impact.

We Count

emily — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 07:31:19 -0700

Every day, all over the world, we participate in activities that produce global warming gases. How much pollution are we generating? The global greenhouse gas emissions counter on the collage started from zero on January 1st, 2007 and increases at a rate of approximately 1,268.51 tonnes CO₂-equivalent per second. We refer to global emissions in metric tonnes (rather than short tons, with which we’re more familiar in the US) because metric units are the standard for global reporting and analysis.

I pledge, you pledge, we all win

emily — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:09:52 -0700

Talk is cheap, but inaction is expensive, especially when the climate is in crisis. Take this pledge and then post it on your fridge, make it your screensaver, tape it near the back door or put a tiny version inside your wallet. Then explain to others why this is important so that they too will take the pledge. Hang it up in the coffee room at work. Post it on the community bulletin boards downtown or at the local library. This is all about doing something for yourself and your loved ones.

RetroChic: Vintage style suits you

emily — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 08:58:21 -0700

Getting Off the Carbon Runway with Vintage Style and Resale Couture

Visualize your purchasing footprint

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:47:10 -0700

This story from Christopher M. Jones, Berkeley Institute of the Environment, University of California, Berkeley

Purchasing power : green credit cards

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:57:55 -0700

Your wallet is filled with credit and charge cards of every variety. Let's see, you use this one for frequent flying and this one to get cool gift rewards and this one gives you money back and...which is the one that helps the environment?

Get a second opinion. Re-use

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:23:49 -0700

We all need to buy things from time to time. Whether it's clothes, electronics, furniture, linens, books, or toys for our pleading children, the greenest and most climate-friendly option when you're in the market is to buy used.

Spend your green where it's greenest

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 12:06:22 -0700

Going shopping or on vacation? Want to support green companies? Here's how to find them...

Did you know that Timberland (the footwear and apparel company) is addressing climate change by using renewable sources of energy and examining transportation requirements? The company aims to reduce its carbon footprint and help others to do the same.

Did you know that in 2003, the state of Maine became the first in the US to establish statutory greenhouse gas reduction goals?

Read the global label

emily — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:12:33 -0700

Here is a challenge to you that will help solve the climate crisis: lower the CO₂ emissions of your appliances and electronics by up to 50% by buying the most efficient ones available. Be sure to ask your retailer how its products stack up against your country's efficiency ratings. For more information about how to understand product efficiency ratings, read on.

Cool threads

emily — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:44:26 -0700

Most of the energy consumed by your washing machine is used just to warm the water. If you usually use hot water for your washing you can drop your energy consumption in half by choosing warm water, and up to 90% if you choose cold. That leads to significant reductions in global warming pollutants that are created either directly in your house by your oil or natural gas water heater or by the power plant that supplies your electric water heater.