Tree Hugger?

Could it be that I spent so much time outdoors as a child? Maybe it is the trips to beautiful places like Zuma Beach , the Redwood National Forest , and Carlsbad Caverns while I was young. It could just be that I love green grass and thunderstorms, but I have this inner voice hounding me, "Conserve! Recycle! Don't be a Selfish Pig!" Yeah, my inner voice is sort of abrasive.

Regardless, this post is a long time coming on the currently chic topic: "Environmentalism." I'm not just jumping on the band wagon here people. I used to recycle cans back when there was a Safeway on the SE corner of Coit and Beltline. Sure it was purely to finance my Galaga habit but still, I was out there. Ok then, I've always hated litterbugs AND I turned off the water while brushing my teeth way before it was vogue. Oh! And, I've been a pee in the shower girl from way back; every flush counts people!

I'm not saying the polar caps will melt next week if we don't toss our current light bulbs in favor of CFLs today. However, I do feel that it is our duty to take care of the Earth God made, and not be gluttonous when it comes to water, energy, and paper products.

I've added a sidebar diddy that I will try to update monthly or so, which is meant to highlight just ONE action to focus on. Hopefully, we can all do these together-if you haven't already! I'm also going to list some ideas here:

What I'm Currently Trying to Make Habits

1. Recycle! I'm back in the recycle zone. I'm so ashamed that I haven't been recycling our cans, bottles, and plastics for the past year--not to mention the paper. Our city lets you put them all in the same bag for curbside pick up, so there is NO excuse for me. I'm back on the blue bag plan now!
2. Turn A/C down (set thermo above 80) or off during the day when house is unoccupied.
3. Unplug small appliances. I'm unplugging the coffee pot and cell chargers.
4. Turn off computers. Since we have 3 in the house, and they often stay on all the time, I'm thinking this is quite a waste to eliminate.
5. Washing clothes in cold water. I started this one this weekend. I may still go for the warm/hot when it comes to socks and undies, but the rest is definitely cold now!
6. Turn off ceiling fans when not in those rooms. I always leave them on, but I just realized this is waste-waste.

My Future Conservation Goals

1. Changing to CFL light bulbs over time
2. Riding My Bike To Work. Right now Scout is my excuse, but I need to keep trying to pull this one off.
3. Getting a hybrid type car. I don't know if I'm ready to trade comfort, cost and performance for eco-friendly cars yet. Right now, I hope that the industry finds a way to make all cars run on alternative fuels without compromising what I like at the moment.
4. Use a home composter. The city made us tear down the one we had in our alley. But, I think I could build another set up in the backyard or side of house to break down organics.
5. Solar Panels! Expensive, that is very-very future...about the same time I have an eco-friendly house built that uses recycled materials for countertops and floors, as well as a rainwater harvesting system.

Finally, this topic can't be left out because I believe it in so much:

Limit Your “Stuff” Consumption: Virtually every physical object you buy in a store requires energy for its production and/or operation. This includes clothing, accessories, household furnishings, office supplies, appliances, sporting goods, decorative objects, and toys - which all consume energy. We could easily have happy, fulfilled lives while reducing this consumption, and save tremendous energy (and money) in the process. Unclutter your life and live more simply.