Oct 23, 2009

Eco-Friendly Friday

I’m so glad we have a President that is interested in creating a cleaner earth for the generations that will come after us.

President Obama spoke to at MIT today. The basis of his message was that we need to be innovative and work towards sustainable, clean energy sources. Sustainability, clean energy, and climate legislation are not only important to creating a clean earth, but also a healthy and thriving economy. The President stated that the country that wins the (peaceful) energy race will lead the global economy (of course he wants that to be us!) He went on to say that the Recovery Act (Stimulus Bill) included $80 billion dollars for creating electric car batteries, tax incentives for making homes more energy efficient, and sources of sustainable energy - to name a few of the “green” topics it supports.

He also cautioned us not to be apathetic about our role. We, as individuals, can do something to change the course of our planet. Here are some of my ideas for small ways to make a difference:
  • Reduce the amount of petroleum-based products we use (drive less, use less plastic, use cloth diapers, etc.)
  • Recycle or reuse everything you can
  • Pick up trash you see when your on a walk
  • Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) instead of incandescent lights
  • Turn off and/or unplug appliances that are not in use
  • Replace faucet/shower heads with low-flow (WaterSense) heads
  • Add weather stripping to doors and windows
  • Make sure your attic has proper insulation levels
  • Buy Local
The list could go on forever! Every small change can make a difference. If you set out to make one small change a week, by the end of the year you will have made a huge difference to the planet (and probably to your wallet!) *Steps off Soapbox*

To hear President Obama’s speech yourself (approximately 13 minutes in length), please check MIT’s Public Webcast here.

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