tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post115618517530645272..comments2023-10-19T23:31:13.746-07:00Comments on Field Notes from an Evolutionary Psychologist: An Inconvenient TruthField Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18372584643389870376noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post-1156571275375533262006-08-25T22:47:00.000-07:002006-08-25T22:47:00.000-07:00These are the things that I can think of: a) We re...These are the things that I can think of: a) We recycle plastic bottles & cans. b) We seldom use our AC in our loft & car. c)We only buy organic veggies. d)We go to thrift shop for books & other stuff. e)We switch off all lights/gadgets except the fridge when we go out from our place. f) We use our shopping plastic bags as our trash bags. g) We patronized local products and food.Memory Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13580708720438477465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post-1156265796205168932006-08-22T09:56:00.000-07:002006-08-22T09:56:00.000-07:00Damn! Most of the good ideas are taken. Like twf, ...Damn! Most of the good ideas are taken. Like twf, I think a backpack is key to conservation, not just for hauling groceries (and recyclables), but for cutting out the plastic bags from other shops.<BR/><BR/>I think that by carrying purchases on my back, on foot, I'm less inclined to buy things I don't need. Not that I need a lot of help there.<BR/><BR/>So, here're my two cents. One is frivolous and easy, the other is a little off the beaten track.<BR/><BR/>$.01 - Some people are only satisfied if they can splurge (with money) once in a while. My take is that if you feel that need, go get a massage or pedicure. You can support a local business, do something nice for yourself and come away without accumulating stuff you don't need.<BR/><BR/>$0.02 - When you have to buy a new water heater, go with the tankless variety (www.gotankless.com, for example). Instead of the usual space-gobbling water storer/heater, you get a smaller, more efficient gizmo that just gives you hot water when you ask for it. Inevitably, shopping for such an item means cutting through bullshit, propaganda and skepticism, but you'd have to do that with the composting toilet, too. :)Alasdairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15289004474066548692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post-1156263362154882102006-08-22T09:16:00.000-07:002006-08-22T09:16:00.000-07:00Oh, good one! I forgot to mention that that my hub...Oh, good one! I forgot to mention that that my hubby is vegetarian, so by default I am as well 90% of the time (the other 10% includes business meals and parties). And I can't believe I forgot the most important one from a money perspective: I work for a wind energy development company.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>MarjorieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post-1156201279527397212006-08-21T16:01:00.000-07:002006-08-21T16:01:00.000-07:00Excellent suggestions. My own little contributions...Excellent suggestions. My own little contributions to conservation are:<BR/><BR/>a) My husband and I only own one car, a 1995 Geo Prizm that we maintain very well. It's difficult to get by with just 1 car in Dallas, but not impossible. As you said, it just takes a little organization.<BR/>b) We chose a home that's within walking distance of my workplace. That eliminates the need for that 2nd car, as I can walk to work while my husband takes the car to his job.<BR/>c) We recycle everything we can: most plastics, glass, batteries, paper. We visit the recycling center every weekend or every other.<BR/>d) We live in an apartment and have no input on the design. It's fairly inefficient, but we minimize the impact as much as we can by installing dark drapes in especially sunlit areas during the summer and keep the thermostat as low as we can comfortably keep it (78 in the summer).<BR/>e) We air-dry most of our clothes on our balcony. In the summer, it takes about an hour in the intense Texas heat to dry. We only use the dryer for bedsheets and towels.<BR/>f) We use homemade cleaning supplies as often as possible (lots of recipes on the Web).<BR/>g) Yup, we reuse jars as drinking glasses, art projects, gift containers.<BR/>h) We donate plastic bags to the farmer's market.<BR/>i) We use cloth bags at the supermarket.<BR/>j) We try to purchase secondhand clothing and shoes when needed. There's a fantastic consignment shop here that has beautiful designer clothing at reasonable prices.<BR/>k) We minimize the purchase of products made in countries with questionable labor practices (mostly China).<BR/>l) We run around the neighborhood for exercise and/or lift weights at home.<BR/><BR/>There's more, but those are the ones that come to mind at the moment. I'd love to hear what others are doing as well.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>MarjorieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com