Celebrate Earth Day by conserving
Published: Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 8:25 p.m.
Every year since 1970, April 22 has been celebrated as Earth Day. The Earth Day Network (earthday.org) has set the theme for this year's Earth Day as, "the face of climate change."
Network members invite everyone to upload images of people, animals and places affected by climate change, as well as images of people stepping up to do something about it on their website. They plan to create an interactive digital display of these images, which will be shown at thousands of events around the world and online.
More than 1 billion people are expected to celebrate this year's Earth Day. Earth Day Network officials are hoping that sharing images "will help personalize and make real the massive challenge that climate change presents."
We all can take actions to reduce our production of greenhouse gases, which contribute to the rate of climate change. Many of these actions can also save money by reducing our energy use.
The University of Florida's IFAS Extension program's document titled "Improving Savings and Health through Minor Conservation Measures in the Home" provides tips that can be implemented immediately. It can be found at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Here are some suggestions:
- Unplug electronics when not in use. When you see a little red or green light lit up on an appliance that is in the "off" position, keep in mind that it requires electricity for that little light to stay lit.
- Turn off fans when people are not using a room. Fans only cool skin temperature and do nothing to reduce the temperature of a room.
- Keep interior doors to unoccupied rooms open. Opened interior doors help to maintain balanced air pressure in the house. A home is designed to be tightly wrapped with a breathable membrane that allows air in but not water. This "tightness" of modern homes can sometimes trap undesirable gases from leaking out of the house.
- Use detergents on clothes/dishes that have the least impact on pipes and the environment.
- Turn off water during activities such as shaving and brushing teeth to conserve water.
- Wash clothes at the coolest tolerable water temperature.
- Avoid the pre-rinsing of dishes.
- Air-dry dishes whenever possible.
- Reduce the thermostat setting on the hot-water heater.
In addition to these tips, the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that you:
- Replace light bulbs in the five most frequently used fixtures with compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs. These bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 10 to 50 times longer.
- Heat and cool wisely. Use a programmable thermostat so you can adjust the temperature. Also, make sure to change air-conditioner filters regularly for maximum efficiency. Florida Power and Light suggests setting your thermostat at 78 degrees or warmer in the summer, and 68 degrees or cooler in the winter.
- Seal and insulate your home. Leaks around door or window frames, or through the attic space can make it costly to maintain the home's temperature.
What actions will you take for Earth Day this year?
The Flagler Beach and Bunnell Police Departments are participating in the DEA National Drug Take-back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27. You can bring unwanted medicines to their departments for safe disposal.
Maia McGuire is a Sea Grant Extension agent at the Flagler County Extension Office. Florida Sea Grant is a statewide university-based program of coastal research of the Flagler County Extension Service, University of Florida. For information, contact the office, 386-437-7464. The extension service is at 150 Sawgrass Road, off County Road 13.
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