Sure, I, like many, claim to be green. It is largely easy to be green in attitude, but to be green in action is much harder and requires self-discipline and commitment. My difficult personal economic circumstances do limit much of what I would like to do, such as make monetary contributions to environmentally progressive organizations and advocates. It would also be nice to have a more economical and environmentally sensitive mode of motor vehicle transportation that is more efficient. I would also like to draw much of my energy needs from a renewable source such as wind or solar. And if I had land I could use the whole food waste I personally generate and put it back in the soil to enrich it. I have already done the most green thing any human can do, not father any children. But I do take additional actions. mostly small, regularly to do something more tangible and demonstrative:1) Recycle all newspapers & magazines.
2) Try to recycle all steel cans, aluminum cans, and eligible plastics for recycling or reuse containers for personal use and storage. I also have three garbage bags full of plastic bags from the grocery store, breads, produce, etc., that needs recycling.
3) Minimize driving to only necessary trips and eliminating wastefulness (i.e., all errands on one trip using thoughtful planning). Lately I am only driving enough to use about 20 gallons of fuel per month.
4) Keep the thermostat at 45 degrees in the apartment in winter and the colder months when I am not home or asleep (that is about 18-19 hours per day on the five days a week I am working) -- overall, I am only using electricity generated from coal burning for heat about 50 - 55 hours per week.
5) Do not waste water. Thriftyness is the hallmark of my existence when its come to household use of water.
6) Only generate enough trash for one to two kitchen trashcan loads per month. Mostly it is in the form of cereal boxes, kleenix, and other food packaging.
7) Keep all unnecessary lights off.
8) Only do laundry about four to six times per year. Recycle outer clothes for wearing instead of assuming they must be laundered after each use or wearing of. I own enough clothes to not have to do laundry except after many weeks. Maybe someday I will be in better economic straits to have laundry equipment of my own again as I once had when I lived in Aurora from '99-'04 and could do laundry more regularly.
9) Do not use air conditioning at home. Deal with the heat by barely wearing any clothes while at home and using fans to circulate air creating a wind "chill" effect on one's bare skin. Do not use the oven or stovetop for cooking in the summer months - rely on the microwave and non-cooked foods for meals.
10) Rely on natural light as much as possible when available for use. Easier said then done in the winter months.
Like everyone, I could do better. Economic constraints limit some of the possible actions I would like to do, but maybe someday I will be in better straits.
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