"It's not the plug: electricity consumption accounts for just one-fifth of a computer's lifetime energy toll," writes author David de Rothschild in The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook. "The rest comes largely from the tremendous amounts of fuel -- usually coal -- burned to power its manufacture."
So instead of tossing your old computer into the trash where it will only go to waste taking up space in the landfill, try Essential Skill #23:
Send your PC packing.
If you want a new computer donate your old one to a friend or a non-profit, or try selling it online at Amazon or Ebay. If your PC is broken, try recycling it through manufacturers like Apple, Dell, HP and Sony, among others. Or take it to your local Staples store where they'll recycle it for you. If all else fails, contact your local hazardous waste department for e-recycling drives or drop-offs.
Whatever you do, please do not throw your PC into the trash, as it may contain toxic substances dangerous for landfills.
Ideally, you should try upgrading the computer you already have by adding more memory or a faster processor.
"If one million people reused or upgraded their computers, we would save 265,000 tons of fossil fuels," adds de Rothschild. Unfortuantely though, "4 billion pounds of electronic waste go to landfills each year. Only about 10% of computers are recycled."
For links to e-recycling programs in your area, check out E-Cycling Central at http://www.eiae.org/.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Essential Skill #22: Audit Your Garbage
Four pounds. That's how much trash the average American generates in just one day. Find out how your trash stacks up with Essential Skill #22 in The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook:
Audit your garbage.
Author David de Rothschild suggests dumping one day's worth of trash -- recyclable items included -- onto a big tarp for sorting and weighing.
"Everything in your trash can has a carbon cost," he writes, "but the messy details are usually out of sight. You need to see it all together, in the plain light of day, to grasp your excess."
In fact, Americans generate 245.7 million tons of trash each year. What's worse is that we throw away 25% of our food, or 96 billion pounds a year!
But if "dumpster diving" into your trash can isn't for you, at the very least weigh a trash bag with one day's worth of garbage in it. Do the same with a trash bag filled with the same day's recycling. Estimate the weight of how much food went down the disposal.
Then add it all up.
Multiply the weight of one day's trash generation by 365, then add in an estimated weight of all that "special occasion" trash generation during the holidays. Then, multiply that number by 30 to take into account all the "trash behind the trash" created by the industries that your consumption supports, as they generate 7.6 billion tons of annual waste.
"Plan for the future by reviewing each item in your trash," writes de Rothschild. "Was it needed in the first place? Did you use it before you threw it out? Remember that recycled goods take less energy to finish into final products. Think about what you can do to improve your recycling and consumption rates, and to it!"
Audit your garbage.
Author David de Rothschild suggests dumping one day's worth of trash -- recyclable items included -- onto a big tarp for sorting and weighing.
"Everything in your trash can has a carbon cost," he writes, "but the messy details are usually out of sight. You need to see it all together, in the plain light of day, to grasp your excess."
In fact, Americans generate 245.7 million tons of trash each year. What's worse is that we throw away 25% of our food, or 96 billion pounds a year!
But if "dumpster diving" into your trash can isn't for you, at the very least weigh a trash bag with one day's worth of garbage in it. Do the same with a trash bag filled with the same day's recycling. Estimate the weight of how much food went down the disposal.
Then add it all up.
Multiply the weight of one day's trash generation by 365, then add in an estimated weight of all that "special occasion" trash generation during the holidays. Then, multiply that number by 30 to take into account all the "trash behind the trash" created by the industries that your consumption supports, as they generate 7.6 billion tons of annual waste.
"Plan for the future by reviewing each item in your trash," writes de Rothschild. "Was it needed in the first place? Did you use it before you threw it out? Remember that recycled goods take less energy to finish into final products. Think about what you can do to improve your recycling and consumption rates, and to it!"
Monday, December 10, 2007
Essential Skill #21: Work at Home
It takes a lot less energy making the trip on foot to your home office than to drive the average 25-minute commute to work outside the house. Yet, only 1 in 10 of us make the most of this opportunity to not only save on CO2 emissions, but also to save on time and money.
It's Essential Skill #21 in The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook: Work at home.
As author David de Rothschild points out, "2 weeks would be saved each year if you eliminated your daily 40-minute commute." More importantly, "If one million people worked at home full-time, we'd eliminate 3 millions tons of CO2 a year."
Though 9 in 10 of us still drive to work every day, the number of people who choose to work from home is growing every year -- by 7.5% in the US alone.
If the nature of your job allows, ask your employer about telecommuting. Find a new work-at-home position. Or start your own home-based business. There are countless resources out there to help you get started, such as 2Work-At-Home and Home Based Working Moms.
It's Essential Skill #21 in The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook: Work at home.
As author David de Rothschild points out, "2 weeks would be saved each year if you eliminated your daily 40-minute commute." More importantly, "If one million people worked at home full-time, we'd eliminate 3 millions tons of CO2 a year."
Though 9 in 10 of us still drive to work every day, the number of people who choose to work from home is growing every year -- by 7.5% in the US alone.
If the nature of your job allows, ask your employer about telecommuting. Find a new work-at-home position. Or start your own home-based business. There are countless resources out there to help you get started, such as 2Work-At-Home and Home Based Working Moms.
"Steer clear of the TV, chores, phone calls to friends, and other distractions," warns de Rothschild. "You're setting a brave example here, not catching up on E!"
Monday, December 3, 2007
Essential Skill #20: Put on a Sweater
This year may tie with 2006 as the sixth warmest one on record, but there's still a chill in the air. As it gets colder during the winter months, instead of turning up the heat, try Essential Skill #20 in The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook:
Put on a sweater. (Just please, make it sheep-friendly.)
"By donning a sweater indoors," writes author David de Rothschild, "and lowering your thermostat 2 degrees Fahrenheit, you can save up to 4% on your energy bill and prevent 500 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere over the course of one year."
And layering your clothes doesn't have to be reserved for romps in the snow. As de Rothschild notes, "We lose 90% of our body heat through our skin, mostly through our heads." Put on two or three shirts under that sweater. Wear two pairs of socks. Put on a beanie hat with a light jacket hoodie.
Why waste electricity heating your home when you can create and capture body heat of your own?
For details on saving energy with thermostat regulation, check out this link to DoItYourself.com.
Put on a sweater. (Just please, make it sheep-friendly.)
"By donning a sweater indoors," writes author David de Rothschild, "and lowering your thermostat 2 degrees Fahrenheit, you can save up to 4% on your energy bill and prevent 500 pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere over the course of one year."
And layering your clothes doesn't have to be reserved for romps in the snow. As de Rothschild notes, "We lose 90% of our body heat through our skin, mostly through our heads." Put on two or three shirts under that sweater. Wear two pairs of socks. Put on a beanie hat with a light jacket hoodie.
Why waste electricity heating your home when you can create and capture body heat of your own?
For details on saving energy with thermostat regulation, check out this link to DoItYourself.com.
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