Now I was never particularly attentive in R.E. classes. but I think apathy was not one of the deadly sins. But it should be. Lazy people I can forgive (lets face it, if we were not all a bit lazy, TV would not exist). Stupid people ditto (its probably in the breeding anyway-parents related but not only my marriage etc.) But the apathists (is that a real word? I would ask them but they don´t give a toss) they should be made to suffer for their sins.
So. to my point. We have recently been trying to make sense of the damage that we, as a family, are doing to the planet, and to see what we can do to reduce it. The kids have been involved in the fun parts, and it seems to be sinking in. If you lived through the greed and avarice of the 1980´s, as I did, then recycling and being responsible is probably bit alien. I thought I would give you some examples of what you, YES YOU, can do.
- Recycle. Yes, its obvious, but do it, don´t talk about it. For those of you who live in rural areas, and have to take their stinky rubbish to the bins all the time (not good when important client/new beau/anyone with a sense of smell is the next person in your car), consider this. The bin run for us was a daily chore. Now that we recycle the majority of our waste, the bin run is twice a week, with a recycling run at the weekend. Much more convenient, particularly when you live on planet chaos in the mornings and can´t be arsed to sort the bin out, whilst fighting with 35 kg of Serra de Estrela/Boxer cross who wants to eat contents of said black bag. In summary, recycling can make your life easier. I guarantee you will be shocked at how much plastic you use.
- Grow something yourself. No hippies I don´t mean grow your own grass or mushrooms, but something that is a part of your normal diet. Tomatoes are sooooo easy to grow, peppers also, piri-piri just goes for ever etc. By growing your own, not only do you control how it is grown and treated, but you are saving kilometres of transport miles needed to bring the produce to your door.
- Use what you have. I can not tell you how many houses I see that have abundances of fruit and veg that just rot on the floor. Either give it away, do something with it (we have an abundance of lemons, and make simple lemonade which is fantastic), or (worst case) compost it. And that brings me on to:
- Compost. I have to admit Î never really understood compost until recently. If you are a compost virgin, as I was, then listen up. Get a compost bin. Fill it with pretty much all organic waste. Don´t put citrus fruit in, or meat leftovers. Let it rot down, and you then have all the nutrients you need for next years crops. It is (a) simple and (b) saves you buying compost and (c) means you have less rubbish. Why are you not all doing this now?
- Energy. Ok, I´m not a tree hugger (but I have kissed the odd bush) and I do have a long standing love affair with technology. However, when there is a solution which provides the same function, but at a reduced energy cost, that rocks. Some examples are:
- Low energy light bulbs-yes the light is cold, but use a red or yellow lamp shade and you will never see the difference. LED bulbs as replacements for 35 and 50W halogens are a great idea (2w as opposed to 35w means that in an office each lamp will pay for itself within a year, kerching). WARNING-from personal experience, you will need to increase the amount of lamps you have in any given space to get the same light level, but it is still worth it.
- Solar. Whichever way you look at it, we are stupid to ignore the possibilities of solar power. So, when your boiler breaks, consider solar panels. As from this year, the grant for solar power is independent of other benefits, and is in the region of 750 euros. Kerching.
- Lights (again). Turn them off. Where possible and practical, install PIR´s to reduce wastage (office toilets are a classic example, as are stairwells)
- Water. Now please pay attention. This is a finite resource, and we should treat it that way. Use the rainwater. If you can not direct it to your cisterna, then at least use water butts to catch as much as you can. Lets face it rain is free water. Kerching.
