Gretchen Bleiler’s 9 Best Ways to Live Green
Olympic snowboarder-and sexy environmentalist!-Gretchen Bleiler offers up 9 easy ways to live green this Earth Day.
Gretchen Bleiler has devoted herself not just to her sport, but to saving it from the ravages of climate change.
#1: Educate yourself. Start here: NASA’s page on Climate & Global Change. Then read books that spark your interest and get you motivated and passionate to share your new knowledge! I love Cradle to Cradle and An Inconvenient Truth.
#2: Take the 21 Day Reusable Challenge this Earth Day, April 22nd. The idea is that it takes 21 days to build a habit, and the project encourages everyone to eliminate disposable plastic water bottles, plastic grocery bags, and Styrofoam containers for 21 days, and to use social media to spread the word and encourage friends and family to do the same. Check it out on Facebook at facebook.com/21dayreusablechallenge.
#3: Change your life and save money. Do everything you can to clean up your carbon footprint. Ride the bus, get a more efficient car, insulate and seal your house, tune up your furnace, buy an energy-smart appliance, change your lightbulbs to CFLs, use a clothesline instead of the dryer, turn your water heater down to 120 degrees-you get the idea!
#4: Be vocal, bug your friends. Speak up about climate change to friends, family, and coworkers. Share this list and get everyone involved. Host environmental documentary showings (like Tapped or An Inconvenient Truth) and talk about ways to make a change, as a group…over drinks!
#5: Find your biggest lever. Every single one of us has the unique opportunity to create awareness and influence change! Ask yourself, how can you as an individual have the most impact on solving climate change. Can you join your town council and change building codes? Can you run for your utility board? Are you a teacher or a journalist? If so, add climate science to the curriculum and to your reporting. Do you have a powerful friend? If so, talk to him or her. Are you a purchasing director? If so, ask suppliers what they are doing about climate change.
#6: Get political. I write and email our elected officials and ask them to take action on climate change by putting a price on carbon and supporting clean-energy legislation. By telling them they will lose your vote if they don’t have a climate action plan, you can make a difference. Here’s contact info for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Don’t vote for candidates who deny climate science or oppose action. Your local League of Conservation Voters ranks U.S. candidates on their environmental positions here.
#7: Talk to businesses. Ask your favorite businesses what they are doing to solve climate change. It’s important that businesses know that you care and will support businesses that are climate leaders. Do your homework. Use the Good Guide before you shop; the researchers who compile the guide rate companies on their energy use and climate-change mitigation strategies.
#8: Join an environmental organization of your choice. There are so many awesome groups out there that are making a difference. I recommend joining POW (protectourwinters.org). And you can head to the site get more details on this POW Seven Pledge.
#9: Get outside more so you can remember what you’re fighting for!
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Source: rodale.com