Sustainable Contra Costa County - No Impact Project - Join Us for a One Week Cleanse

April 18, 2010

to

April 24, 2010

The No Impact Experiment is a one-week carbon cleanse starting on April 18. It is a chance for you to see what a difference no-impact living can have on your quality of life. It’s not about giving up creature comforts but an opportunity for you to test whether the modern “conveniences” you take for granted are actually making you happier or just eating away at your time and money. For more information visit www.noimpactproject.org and/or Sustainable Contra Costa’s Facebook page

Read to Book, Watch the Movie, Listen to it on Audio of Kindle. Make your own decision.

No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process

Heat loss isn’t just your house’s fault…..3 tips you can implement today!

Tip #1 - Did you know 50% of your personal heat loss is lost through your head? If you want to save money on your heating bill in the coldest months, wear a beanie while you are in the house! Seriously, you will notice that you can keep the house cooler during the day and not even feel the difference if you insulate your body better.

Tip #2 - Do you walk around the house in bare feet? No wonder you are cold! Put on some heavy socks or slippers You’ll be amazed at how much warmer you’ll be. Common sense dictates that you wouldn’t go outside on a winter day in your bare feet or without something to keep your ears and neck warm.

Tip #3 - Are you one of people that begrudging shut off your heater at night because you don’t want to listen to it going on and off all night? Instead of counting sheep you are watching dollars flying out the window? Before you turn on your electric blanket might I make an interesting suggestion? Do you have a good quality sleeping bag that you use for camping? Why not temporarily use your sleeping bag? You’ll stay nice and toasty and you’ll pocket a decent chunk of change when you’re not turning on the heater in the winter months.

Yes, this blogger is from California and is kind of spoiled because the pipes at our house never freeze and as far as I know the temperature in the Bay Area has never reach 20F. But I also don’t want to just hand my hard earned money over to P G & E. Plus I am working really hard to reduce my carbon footprint. I know I’ll never be as good as Colin Beaven who wrote No Impact Man, but I have to try and if it means wearing a beanie in the house, I can do that….

25% of your TV & Computer energy consumption is being sucked alive by “Vampire Energy Consumption”

Check out this link from Amazon and watch a 4 minute video on where your hard earned money is sneaking away to and how you can put a stop to “Vampire Energy Consumption.”

Monster Power HD PowerCenter 900 with GreenPower [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]

Although these power centers are quite pricey you might want to watch this video as a comparison. These smart strips are much less expensive. You can leave a comment on this post if you want to purchase one and through this post I can get you a good deal through a friend of mine that I recently met at the San Francisco Green Festival.

http://bitsltd.net/ConsumerProducts/Downloads/Smartstrip%20Short.wmv.

Christmas is a time of buying high end electronics and if you want a great way to make your new computer or TV pay you back might I recommend that you buy a “green power strip” Fight back! Do not knowingly allow 25% of your energy consumption sneak out the door while out equipment is turned off but still plugged into the wall. Remember the good guys win in the end….

Even if you are not purchasing a high end electronic this Christmas Season. The smart strip is a great gift for college students and teachers as everyone is trying to do their part in reducing our carbon footprint. So feel good about your gift giving this year. Set an example, make an impact.

Looking forward to your comments