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Queries on an Earthcare Lifestyle
Suggestions for getting started:
1. Become more aware of the impact your
lifestyle has on your environment by calculating your
environmental footprint.
2. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s
Recycle City and explore a whole city that lives an Earthcare
Lifestyle.
3. Enhance your Earthcare Lifestyle over a
one-week period by considering a different set of queries each day:
Day 1:
Home
Day 2:
Recycling
Day 3:
Transportation
Day 4:
Bicycle
Day 5:
Energy Sources
Day 6:
Workplace
Day 7:
Shopping
Day 1: Home
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Have I done what I can do insulate my home against heat loss?
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Do
I switch off lights and appliances when they are not in use?
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When leaving house for extended periods, can I dial back the heat or air
conditioning?
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Have I considered using low-energy
Compact Fluorescent light bulbs?
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Do
I avoid using batteries when possible? (Remarkably, the amount of energy
it takes to charge a standard battery is 50 times the energy it gives
out. Among rechargeable batteries, Nickel Hydride and Rechargeable
Alkaline Manganese [RAM] are better than NiCads.)
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Day 2: Recycling
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Have I learned what materials are recyclable? (Click to learn what
Recycle City has to say about
plastic,
glass,
wood,
aluminum,
other metals, and
paper & cardboard)
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Have I considered setting up a workable recycling plan and routine for
my home?
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Do
I collect clothes, goods, toys, books, appliances, and other re-useable
items for jumble sales, clothing drives, charities, and secondhand
stores instead of putting them into the trash?
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Day 3: Transportation
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Do
I arrange my life to minimize use of an automobile?
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Am
I aware of the great environmental benefits of planning to purchase a
hybrid as my next vehicle?
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Am
I aware of the tremendous environmental cost of airplane travel?
(Remarkably, one ten-hour flight uses as much fuel as driving a car for
one year.)
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Have I explored all of my options for transportation by walking,
bicycle, public transportation, and carpooling?
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Do
I keep my car well serviced, to prevent dangerous emissions and waste of
fuel?
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Do I avoid or limit my use of recreational vehicles, pick-up trucks,
off-road vehicles, sports utility vehicles, motor boats, water skis, jet
skis, snow-mobiles, and other environmental polluters?
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Am
I aware that certain gasoline companies (notably Exxon and Mobil) fund
lobbying efforts to reduce environmental regulation, and do I consider
this when I choose a gasoline station to refuel my car?
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Day 4: Bicycle
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Day 5: Energy Sources
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Have I considered switching my home partially or completely to wind
power (e.g.,
PECO Wind) or other green electricity suppliers?
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Have I explored all of my options for transportation by bicycle instead
of automobile?
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Day 6: Workplace
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Does my workplace make recycling feasible and understandable? Is there
something I can do to improve recycling feasibility at work?
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Do
I model good recycling and energy conservation habits at my workplace?
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Day 7: Shopping
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“Food-miles”: Am I aware that buying locally-grown produce reduces the
need for transportation of food products over great distances, which
leads to considerable environmental pollution and fuel consumption?
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Am
I aware that organic foods are generally grown in much more
environmentally-sound, sustainable ways?
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Could I significantly lower my energy expenditure by buying less and
choosing well?
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Do
I seek out Fair Trade coffee and other Fair Trade products?
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Do
I buy recycled paper products (e.g.,
Marcal brand paper towels and toilet paper) whenever possible?
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