Going Green

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Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

Earth Hour 2010 became the biggest Earth Hour ever when a record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30PM. This Earth Hour we want you to go beyond the hour, so after the lights go back on think about what else you can do to make a difference. If you live in Aspinwall, purchase a motion sensor and turn off your lights when you go to sleep at night.  Together our actions add up.

At first glance, water seems abundant in our community. Go for a walk or drive, and you will pass many creeks and streams that flow into the Allegheny River. Rain falls consistently, and just when you think your grass needs the sprinkler a thunderstorm rolls in and the sky opens.

Last week many of us were caught off guard by the water main break. For just a few short hours we were asked to conserve water while it was being fixed. A similar problem occurred last winter with the heavy snowstorms. In these rare instances when we’re asked to conserve water, it can be just a minor convenience. Yet it wouldn’t seem this way if we established water saving habits throughout the year.

Why conserve water? Regardless of how much water an area receives through rainfall, its proximity to lakes, rivers, or reservoirs, most communities use 30-35% of their municipal energy for water and wastewater facilities. Even though water may seem abundant to us, the water that comes out of our tap is processed to the point where it’s safe for human consumption. If you waste it, you’re wasting all the energy that was used to make the water safe to drink. Likewise, the water that goes down the drain has to be treated by a wastewater facility, which also uses energy.

Here are some ideas for saving water at home:

1. When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water. Similarly, don’t let the water run while you are brushing your teeth. Turn the water off after you wet your toothbrush and turn it on to rinse.
2. Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
3. For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap.
4. Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
5. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
6. Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
7. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
8. Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
9. Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
10.  Visit these websites for additional water saving tips: http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php (the resource for the above tips)

           Many of us recycle and feel great about doing so. It is a simple way to reduce trash, conserve raw materials, and decrease energy consumption. It is the first step that people take when they choose to adopt a greener lifestyle.

            Another way to help the environment is to compost. What is composting? Instead of throwing kitchen scraps or yard refuse in the trash, you can combine these plant materials in a bin or pile. Eventually this waste will decompose into dirt which can be used as a soil amendment in the garden.

           The refuse that you add to the compost bin will fall into two major categories: greens and browns. Greens are plant materials that tend to be wetter and full of nitrogen This include kitchen scraps (potato peelings, rotted fruit or vegetables, coffee grounds, crushed eggshells), fresh grass clippings, and old annuals. Browns are plant materials that tend to be drier and full of carbon. This includes dry leaves, dry straw or hay, and shredded paper. You will need about equal parts of greens and browns initially.

            Once you have small amounts of green and brown materials, you can add them to your compost bin and mix in soil with a pitch fork or shovel. Some compost manuals advise you to layer the greens and browns together so that the materials break down faster. If you have the time, it’s also great to turn the pile once a week during the warmer months to speed up the decomposition process. You can add water  if the compost seems dry or you have too many brown materials. If the compost begins to smell bad it’s a sign that there is too much moisture so you should add more browns.

           Once the compost degrades completely, it becomes a great soil amendment for the garden. Because of its fibrous nature, it creates space between small particles in heavy clay soils and increases drainage. At the same time, it also helps retain water in sandy soils. It also adds nutrients to the soil, reducing the need to add chemical fertilizers.

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2010.  New Year.  New year’s resolutions and holiday bills arriving in the mail. How would you like a few ideas to help ease the strain on your family budget? We think we can help.

The price of gas may not be as high as the prices last summer but it continues to be a large part of our families’ budgets. Now may be a great time to “Go Green” and consider some of our region’s more energy friendly ways of getting from here to there – while saving you some money.

Instead of driving solo, consider the benefits of sharing a ride. Transit, carpools and vanpools provide a way for people to get to and from common destinations while allowing sharing the costs of gas and parking expenses.

It’s free to register, and benefits include informational updates and for those who join a “pool”, participation in the Emergency Ride Home service. CommuteInfo reminds commuters to consider their schedules and evaluate what their own personal transport needs are, and to consider sharing their ride, even 2 or 3 days a week.

The CommuteInfo website includes a cost calculator where commuters can calculate the cost of their commute. Commuters just plug in a few numbers, and can then take a look at their actual commuting costs. The result may be surprising.

Go green and save yourself some green.

Contact CommuteInfo at 1-888-819-6110 or

register on-line at www.commuteinfo.org