• Print
• Edit
• History
• Recent Changes
• Search
• Attach
• Login

Top Ten Lists

Each Citizen Action Committee provides its own Top Ten (or so) things you can do:

Building and the Built Environment:

1. Think about it: decisions that will have the greatest effect on energy efficiency and sustainability are made in the planning stages
2. Consider how the building will effect the surrounding land. Are you creating natural habitats or destroying them?
3. Build Small. Smaller buildings use fewer materials, less water and energy, and causes less site disturbance.
4. Consider the environment you’re creating: don’t use materials that will off-gas or contain harmful chemicals.
5. Use materials that are local renewable, recycled, or otherwise sustainable.
6. Use local designers, builders, and general labor

Communications:

1. Learn as much as you can about global warming. Once you see what is happening with our environment, you will be more inspired to take action.
2. Assess the different ways you use energy: at home, with transportation, at work, and through the different products you purchase. Get a clear picture of how you personally contribute to global warming. Carbon calculators are useful here – check out the links below.
3. Do some research about the different ways you can reduce your carbon footprint (i.e., the amount of greenhouse gases your lifestyle and activities produce). Start with some simple things you can do, then as you get comfortable with making some changes, add in a few more.
4. Read books and check out websites to learn as much as you can! Read the Top 10 Things You Can Do written by the other RenewFairfield citizen action committees. You’ll find lots of ideas to incorporate!
5. Talk with friends about how you are making changes and get them interested, too.
6. Form a green support group with friends. Encourage each other to adopt more environmentally healthy ways to live.
7. Create a green neighborhood association on your block or in your apartment building. Have regular meetings to share what you are doing and generate more ideas to curb your carbon footprint. Make bulk purchases of energy-efficient products with your association.
8. Attend seminars, conferences, and workshops on sustainability. There are usually many from which to choose! Some top shows include the I-RENEW Annual Energy Expo (held in September - http://irenew.org/) and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair (held in Wisconsin in June - http://www.the-mrea.org/).
   (Tip: set your Google Alert for upcoming shows)
9. Share what you are doing with organizations in which you are involved, including civic groups, churches, preschools, clubs, etc. Organize presentations (either by yourself or by a member of one of the citizen action committees).
10. Give yourself a pat on the back for any efforts you undertake – big or small.

Energy:

Food Systems:

1. Eat locally-grown food whenever possible!

Transportation:

1. Live local. If you're moving, consider the distance to work and shopping and other frequent errands as a major factor.
2. Buy local. Your "transportation footprint" includes the miles your stuff travels to get to you as well as the miles you travel to get it! And by patronizing local businesses, you help insure they'll stay in business so we can all shop there in the future.
3. Drive less. Combine errands, and bike or walk when you can. If you have an old bike that's in disrepair, spend the $50 to get it fixed up -- it'll pay for itself in under a month!
4. Share wheels. Carpool with others going the same way. When you know in advance you'll be driving out of town, advertise on a ride-share board, and check the ads that are already there.
5. Drive an efficient car. If you must buy a car, buy the smallest, most efficient one that meets your daily needs. When you need something larger, rent or borrow it.
6. Consider ground travel. Amtrak's stations are only a 20-minute drive away, compared to the 90-minute drive to the airport. Burlington Trailways stops right in town. Both options pollute much less than an airline.
7. Offset your carbon. Carbon offsets have raised some controversy, but the Co-Op America article above will help you find a legitimate way to offset the carbon from a plane flight or car-ownership.

Waste Management:

1. Compost!
2. Reduce!
3. Reuse!
4. Recycle!
5. Bring old items to My Lucky Day
6. Use cloth bags for grocery shopping
7. Put something (a gallon jug of water) in your toilet tank to reduce flush amount
8. Use eco friendly cleaners (preferably concentrated)
9. Avoid products with excessive packaging
10. Capture rainwater for landscaping purposes

Add Comment
Sign as Author
Enter code: