What will YOU do to conserve energy, resources?

[Deja Q]

I will no longer play online gaming. It only contributes to carpal tunnel anyway.

I will reduce the number of hours watching trash on television.

Additionally, I will not live by proxy or vicariously. I will make my own fun adventures and not relive videotaped fiction. Who needs to watch "Friends"? BE a friend instead. (Besides, Matt LeBlanc will never be your friend... not for less than $1 mil per 20 minute cycle...)

I will drive only when I need to.

Having a live-in partner would be nice too.

I will live close to work.

*I* may be different and have my own social handicaps; but if I can see the solution to a number of very simple problems, why the frig can't anybody else? Or are we all so doped up in maintaining our precious status quo, despite getting angry over global warming and the energy problems, to not want to do anything apart from venting emotionally?

(You can also tell me to STFU and leave DU forever. In which case, amongst other things, I won't be using my computer as much and that'll save on electricity too. :) )

Life is about change. And I will readily admit I've been stuck in my rut for far too long.

Anybody else wanting to live like a human? And not like a coin operated plastic box?

[mimitabby]

1. good thoughts

I have driven 3 miles each way to work for 25 years. Now my husband tells me that we need to move
closer to his job so i can do "my share" of the driving. The thought of this depresses me.
but it hasn't happened yet.
I drive a little 1991 honda 5 speed. I only drive where and when absolutely necessary.
I am constantly turning off the lights and unplugging powersupplies.
I don't watch TV at all. The computer unfortunately is one of my vices but i switched to
a laptop which uses less energy and is easy to turn off while i am not using it.
I read books and cook from scratch almost every day. I ride a bicycle.

With all of this, i still live so much better than the average human. i am embarrassed, and part of it
is because we live in this big hawkish country.

[McKenzie]

2. I don't have a teevee

actually that's a lie...it's a 14" portable and only comes down from the attic during the Formula 1 racing season (parallel universe...ignore...apart from watching overpaid men risking their lives at high speeds I don't watch teevee...EVER), I live 300 yards from my office, I drive a wee diesel Polo and I have sold my three motorcycles.

Anyway, my efforts are a bit like pissing into the wind. Good fun but the blowback soaks my trousers.

edit; 14% by volume vino

[northofdenali]

3. SImple things.

We have been turning the heat down (to 65), making sure our car is as fuel-efficient as possible, turning off unnecessary lights, etc. for years.

We walk when driving isn't necessary. I'm somewhat limited due to a chronic illness, but I can still hang in there as long as the temp is above 20 below. Colder than that, my health goes to hell by walking.

The neat thing about up here is spring/summer/fall where much of the time no lights are necessary. We do not have air conditioning (except the local river). My dishwasher is energy-efficient and actually uses less water than washing the same amount by hand. Since my father-in-law lives with us and is in frail health at 85, I rely on the scalding to help disinfect our dishes.

Because of our location, we must have a 4-wheel drive. Tried a little Subaru, no luck. The hybrids are next, and is in my schedule of purchases for when our Jeep gives up the ghost. When the temp gets down to 20 above, our university's cold-climate research center wants everyone to plug in their vehicles, as it helps with the emissions. Fairbanks sits in a "bowl" and has little wind, so the ice fog and nasty air conditions are closely monitored by the state, feds, and our university.

Anyone who has suggestions for real, and safe, energy savings in a severely cold climate, please let me know!! The house is a small 3 bedroom , 5-star energy rated, and has a heat-exchanging system.

DU, if we all put a small effort into this, our world will be a much better place to live, if not for us, then for our grandkids.

See, I still have a lot of hope. Thanks for the opening, a timely post, and sorry for the length of this one, HypnoToad!! :hug:

[MadHound]

4. Doing more all the time

First off, I drive a Bajaj scooter for my 52 mile round trip commute. It gets 100 mpg and goes 55-60 mph.

And no, I won't be moving back to a city ever, unless absolutely neccessary. Some serious economic shit is coming our way, and it's easier to ride out recessions and depressions out in the country rather than in the city. Besides, I do not easily bear urban areas these days, the noise, the smell, being packed into a place like sardines, no thank you.

But besides that, I'm putting in an external woodstove this summer. I'm growing a significant amount of my own food, and buying another significant portion from my neighbors and friend, local farmers.

Here in a few years, I will roll the monetary savings from scooter, woodstove and growing my food over into a 3 kilowatt windturbine, something else I couldn't do in the city. And a few years later, I will add a couple of kilowatts worth of solar panels.

Next truck is going to be a diesel, as will be the new tractor. I will be making my own biodiesel. The next passenger car is going to be either a hybrid or a diesel.

I'm too busy to watch much TV, though I do keep it around for sports and the occaisional movie or show.

It is to do these activities, without the restrictions of space and zoning laws, that I moved to the country. Why do I want to live in a city where I can't be self sufficient? Besides, if all goes well, my job will be my land, and my commute will wind up being zero.

[blogslut]

5. I live in a small town

I don't drive and therefore, either walk or ride my electric scooter. I'm also big on buying used items.

[ReaderSushi]

6. Watch me! I'm going to save the world!

I turn down the heat when I go to sleep and turn it off when I leave home.
I walk if the destination is within three miles, any more than that I take a train or bus.
I buy more groceries per trip to reduce the amount of trips I have to make.
I look for Energy Star products whenever I buy electronics and appliances.
I turn on all power saving features on my laptop.
I have started to eat less meat and more fruit.
All the lights in my room are compact fluorescents.

[Kung Fu Bovine]

7. What I do...

I actually take a bike to work every day. :)

[jpak]

8. What I did

Moved to within walking/biking distance of work.

Use DYI solar energy of ~20% of home energy use.

Wrapped my hot water heater.

Use a low-flow shower-head.

Use compact fluorescent light bulbs exclusively.

recycle and use recycled products

Eat organic and primarily vegetarian.

Vote for democrats

[TallahasseeGrannie]

9. I don't drive

AND I teach kids and in 30 plus years have created a whole generation of energy misers. Some are positively radical about it. And one of them tried to blow up a Ham shop. Okay, I'm not proud of that one. He's in prison. It was a vegan thing, really. But he became a vegan after my environmental unit in 5th grade.

[Ilsa]

10. Dress for the weather instead of expecting the interior environment

to adapt to me.

Only wash full loads of dishes and clothes. Use half as much soap as recommended on the box. That's all that is needed anyway.

Use bike during daylight hours for short trips nearby.

Drive with a light foot; don't get in a hurry.

Turn stuff off if not being used.

BTW, I think we need to start a Survivalist forum.

[mom cat]

12. i set my thermostat at 50 and am comfortable. I won't be putting in

the AC's this summer. Global warming is real and my other planet is not ready yet.

[Beaverhausen]

11. I drive a Prius

I recycle anything I possibly can.

I bring my own (canvas) shopping bags to stores.

I use as little electricity as I can.

I don't eat meat.