What changes have you made

[foxfire4321]

I haven't seen a lot of activity on the board recently so I decided to liven it up a bit. I would like people to write in what steps they have taken in the last year to lower their impact on the environment. I am looking for small, medium, and large steps. The point of this exercise is to get ideas out there so that others may follow suit and maybe will will each make a slightly smaller impact this coming year... plus hopefully some people will start writing in.

Here is my list:
1. Replaced all but two lights in my house with CFBs, still looking for affordable dimmable versions.
2. Replaced desktop computer with efficient laptop, lower overall power rating and no need for two computers (work and home).
3. Regularly get autos serviced and monitor gas milage to watch for problems.
4. Insulated sill plate of house.
5. Grew most of the vegtables we used this summer and fall in small organic graden in backyard.
6. Made a commitment to my self to only look and organic lawn treatments and not care if the lawn isn't as beautiful as the neighbors'

Just the start, I'll add more as I think about it.

[foxfire4321]

One more I thought of, it is really small but significant to me. I started switching over my hobby, woodworking, from power tool based to hand tools. I still use the power tools on rare occassions, but for the most part I have switched to relearning the techniques with hand tools so as to cut down on noise, energy use, and dust.

I try and walk whenever possible, make sure all lights and other electrical appliances aren't on when I'm not around and try and buy Fair Trade food whenever possible.

[ooen]

"What changes have you not made?" is really the question I'm answering here, but I never ever owned any car in my entire life. It is true that I was never wealthy enough to buy BMW and what not, but I guess I can say that I am contributing to the protection of the environment nonetheless.

[MarkuisMellvile]

My new job allows me to commute by bike (6 miles each way) rather than drive. While I've rarely used the car for journeys under 20 miles in the last few years anyway, continuing to do so now I'm in full-time work feels good (not just physically!).

We're now starting to look for a house in this area, with the intention of not needing to use the car for local journeys at all.

The question asks what changes I've made, and as most of the things I can think of are actions I/we've been doing for years, I'll add the new ones as and when they occur to me.

[altyfc]

1. Started jogging to football and back each Wednesday, rather than hopping in the car.
2. Kept insisting that Greggs don't give me a carrier bag when I go there for a sandwich each lunchtime. They are slowly learning not to bother offering me one.
3. Started growing our own fruit.

Aaron

[ooen]

Originally Posted by altyfc

3. Started growing our own fruit.

Aaron

Can you make enough to supply to your whole family or it's supplemental more or less?

[altyfc]

It's supplemental. A couple of apple trees, some strawberries, some gooseberries, and one or two other bits and pieces is all we've planted. Unfortunately, I don't think our climate lends itself to bananas, etc. too well.

Aaron

[TheGreenerThinker]

We have started recycling cardboard and plastic bottles too (no local place to do this, but we hoard it & make on trip in a while) and composting our organic waste We've reduced our rubbish by so much that we didn't put out a single bag for the bin men this week

[Thais]

I have put energy saving bulbs in all my light connections instead of just some of them, I use my car as little as possible, I had a new tap fixture fitted because the old one was dripping, the shower still drips but I collect the water in a bucket & flush the toilet with it when it's full, I only wash dishes in the kitchen when there are enough to wash loads at one go (well, I've always done that actually), I always wash my face & hands with cold water only.

Mnn...I'm sure there's more.

Oh yes - and I recycle plastic bags as doggy poo retrievers!