Most of us know that April 22nd is Earth Day. But this past year, I made sure I was keenly aware of what the day commemorates. In the past five years alone, awareness of "GREEN" alternatives to cars, cosmetic products and household items has grown. The 2008 presidential candidates are all trying to address concerns of energy conservation, alternate fuel sources and global warming.I'm not going to go on and on about eco-activism because I am no expert. I will admit I know very little (well, in my eyes, not enough) about truly being environment-friendly. However, I'm very glad that the news and the media are starting to present the importance of causing MINIMAL harm to our environment. I'm especially excited that I keep reading and seeing programs on TV that show the LITTLE things each of us can start doing that make a world of difference. BUT, I can't wait until it gets even easier and more affordable.
For Mother's Day, I gave my mother some compact fluorescent light bulbs (it's a long-standing inside joke stemming from the very first mother's day gift I gave her at age 4.........). Anyway, I was so excited about how much energy and money she would save until I learned that there are "special" ways she must now handle these bulbs. To make a long story short, the CFL bulbs have small amounts of mercury, which is a neurotoxin. Up until recently, there were no hard and fast rules about HOW to dispose of the bulbs before they break and release mercury. Even now, CFL bulbs are sold everywhere but no education about disposal is really provided. Plus, I'm waiting for the prices to go down before I buy more......CFLs right now are about double the price of the standard light bulbs.
I think it may be time for a hybrid. I just paid $3.86 a gallon at the pump today (in the not-so-ritzy part of town, too) to fuel up my car. My trusty Corolla gets about 33 miles per gallon, so I'm not even struggling compared to those who are driving gas-guzzlers. However, buying a hybrid right now feels like getting lasik surgery in 1997........the technology is still too new and the options still limited. Plus, if anything goes wrong with that hybrid, maintenance is REALLY pricey compared to standard vehicles.
One of the most exciting concepts I encountered last month is green-friendly fashion! I was watching the show "What Not to Wear" on TLC and found myself watching the makeover of an environmental activist named "Tara" who wanted to start looking more professional and classy, but in an eco-friendly way. (The show airs again on
Anyway, I'm sure I sound ungrateful as I complain about what's difficult about going green, but let me tell you, I'm SUPER excited that the options exist. I just can't wait until it's more accessible to everyone (i.e., EVERYONE can actually afford go green).
5 comments:
(i am a friend of Marc's and found your page through his)
I am an owner of a Toyota Prius, and I couldn't be happier. I clicked your link where you said that the maintenance is higher priced and the link doesn't say that it is, and neither does my experience. I think the only way you might get a higher price is b/c you would probably feel more comfortable going to a dealership instead of a mom and pop shop who may not be familiar with the increased technology. I definitely recommend the Prius, though not as a attractive as the Civic, it gets a little better gas mileage. I do city/highway driving every day for my commute and I am getting 50 mpg.
The bulbs are totally worth it-they last waaaaaaay longer than the regular light bulbs anyway, so even if they are double price you're getting more than double use out of them. I still have a lightbulb in one of my lamps that my parents got in the mail when I was 11 years old (they were doing a special mailing of these new special lightbulbs hoping they'd catch on.)
Hi Kate! Thanks for sharing your positive experience with hybrids and CFL bulbs. I'll give it a shot and I hope others break out of old habits and try going green, too!
I'm a Toyota girl, so I'll definitely check out the Prius!!!
can I have your corrolla?
Hey Vidya!
I am thinking of buying my Honday hybrid over the course of next week. You are right about the technology though, but the gas prices stink:(
Will let you know how it turns out. I test drove it, and it seemed ok.
Have added you to my blog roll too!
Check out what Hotmail presented me with this morning:
http://green.msn.com/galleries/photos/photos.aspx?gid=193&page=2
According to that, it takes 17 days for a CFL bulb to pay itself off. I'm a true believer, but the mecury content is a little troubling. Make sure you don't eat them!
Also, I have a long standing love affair with the Prius. My next car will be a hybrid!
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