Jewish Community Center
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Sat. February 04, 2012
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ways you & your family can be green
You need not radically change your life tomorrow to have an impact on our environment. Here's a few suggestions on easy steps that you start today, and others that you can take in the near future:
For Beginners:
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- Begin to Recycle--It is easy, attainable, and your neighborhood already provides pickup services
- Purchase Environmentally Friendly Packaging--When shopping, look for reusable packaging such as paper grocery bags. Stay away from items which have excessive packaging used for appearance.
- Get regular Oil Changes--Automobiles that are running on old oil tends to decrease in fuel efficiency and increase pollution output.
- Change Your Light Bulbs--Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less energy, and last 10 times longer
- Simplify Your Lifestyle--One of the greatest things you can do to "Live Green" is to simplify. Buy less and avoid
wasteful items. Unfortunately American business is designed to sell us more then we ever really need. A great way to begin simplifying is to eat with smaller plates. This will enable you to cook and eat right size portions.
For Those Who are a Little More Adventurous:
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- Stop Buying Bottled Water--Is that panic I see on your face? Don't sweat it. Instead, fill your own sports bottles. The good news is that tap water is readily available in everyone's faucet, is much cheaper, and is more healthy than bottled water. Just because the water came from a spring doesn't mean the water is cleaner or better for you then H20 from your favorite tap
- Insulate Your Windows this Winter--Easy-to-use plastic film insulation is readily availble at any of your favorite local of big box hardware retailers. Adding insulation on the windows of your home during those rigid Minnesota months can also save you a pretty penny.
- Update Aging Appliances--When you replace your old appliances buy those with the highest energy efficiency by looking for energy star rating on the big yellow sticker.
For the True Green Gatekeepers:
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- Buy Less New, Buy More Used--With the rapid growth of Internet shopping buying used has never become easier. Try the online auction site, eBay, to find almost any item you could ever imagine. Even more useful can be a local site, Craig's List. The site allows neighbors and community members to sell, barter, and give away items to each other and is highly recommended for any items that are too large to economically ship such as furniture, automobiles. You will be surprise at what your neighbor may be attempting to get rid of.
- Eat Locally When Possible--Purchase locally grown produce at a farmers market or join a CSA. Consider planting your own garden.
- Eat Less Meat--Open up an undergraduate level ecology textbook and you will quickly learn that larger animals require an exponentially greater amount of energy and resources to live than do plants. Don't worry, plants and vegetables are great for your health. We promise.
For more information or to offer your own suggestions, contact:
Penny Schumacher, Assisstant Director: 651-255-4732