en*light Life

Wait, don’t wear hemp clothing? And trust the government to tell you what to buy? And people want to give you free stuff? This eco-friendly stuff is crazy!

Photograph by Felipe Buitrago
Beer for a better planet: Gordon Biersch provided free parking for participant’s in this year’s Bike to Work Day in May

By Diane Solomon

EVEN though industry and governments are going to have to make earth-shaking changes to cool things down, there’s plenty we can to do help. The basics of reducing our individual carbon footprints are to do what Henry David Thoreau said: “Simplify, simplify.” We’ll all live better with less-processed, packaged and industrially produced stuff carted here from across the planet.

Then there’s Wabi Sabi, Japan’s esthetic ideal: Less is more. If you aren’t using it, give it away or dispose of it responsibly. Before you purchase, be sure there’s room for it in your home. Buy local, buy less and reuse, repair, freecycle and recycle more. You may pay more for locally produced, fair trade and organic products, but it evens out when you buy less of everything else and reduce carbon intensive activities like driving. It’s not a coincidence that when you do things to save the planet you not only save money, but your life gets simpler, healthier and happier. Here are 50 tips: (For Full Article: http://www.metroactive.com/metro/08.15.07/50-ways-to-go-green-0733.html)

Featuring  Going Green Tips – Everyday Eco-Friendly Tips

• Wonder whether to choose a desktop or laptop? One green reason to choose a laptop is that laptops use up to 70% less energy than a desktop. Even better, take advantage of your local internet café or library to schedule time with a computer, or splurge a little on a video-capable iPod.
• Going green in the office is now easier than opting for recycled paper. Check out the newest green office products for your business. One website to check out: www.thegreenoffice.com 
•  Interested in purchasing green power from your local utility company?  Visit: http://www.eere.energy.gov
•   In case you’ve wondered while in line at your local drive-thru, idling for any length of time burns more gas than restarting your car. 
• Carbonfund.org enables you to calculate your carbon dioxide footprint, and purchase offsets that support renewable energy projects: www.carbonfund.org. 
•  Want to travel and help save the planet? Try out environmentally-friendly travel options such as: All business-class airline, Silverjet (www.flysilverjet.com); California-based tour company, O.A.R.S (www.oars.com); and Colorado-based travel company, Natural Habitat Adventures (www.NatHab.com). 
•  How fishy is your fish? Want to know whether to choose Atlantic or Pacific when shopping for seafood? Websites such as www.mbayaq.org, and your local aquarium offer the conscious consumer up-to-date fish watches. 
• Want to save your local bay/coastline? Organizations such as www.savesfbay.org offer ways you can help you get involved in supporting efforts to save our coastlines.
• Wondering how to dispose of your electronics? California-based Universal Waste Management. Inc. (www.unwaste.com) offer solutions, and list pick-up dates. Also, local universities, and Whole Foods offer e-Waste drop-off events; and Dell offers e-waste disposal for all their products.