|
|
|
|
Earth Blog Have an idea you want to share with the
community? This is your opportunity. The one environmental issue -- click here Fascinating History Lesson Gary Prichard Writes ... Aug. 14 -- Hendersonville ... Item number 9 of our "Big Ten" is "Reduce - Reuse - Recycle." One important concern here is the use of disposable plastic containers for bottled water. While it is true that the bottles can be recycled, there is a lot of energy used to produce these bottles. According to one ecology group that has studied this issue, an estimated 47 million gallons of oil are used to produce the bottles that Americans drink each year. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/17/earlyshow/main3067701.shtml ) Most newer refrigerators have some kind of filtered water dispenser built in. And, if your refrigerator does not, there are lots of inexpensive water filtration systems available today. So, as far as water goes, there really is no reason to buy bottled water. In fact, some studies have shown that straight tap water is equal to or better than some bottled water. But we all like to have our personal bottle of water when we get thirsty away from home. So, the question is, how can one best carry his/her own convenient bottle of water? Many commercial interests are working on this now. Here are some suggestions: Thermos offers a bottle for $25. ( http://www.thermos.com ) Another company, Nalgene, offers a less expensive bottle. ( http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/Index.html ) I received one of these for Christmas with the logo of Flat Rock Outfitters. I suppose I should start using it even though it will be a little more trouble than grabbing a plastic bottle as I go out the door. That, of course, is the problem we all share when it comes to the environment; it is often a little more trouble to do the "right thing." Pack It Down!
Over 25% of your daily household waste consists of
excessive packaging used to ship your purchases to the shelf. Proposed Strategic Plan Did you know that one of the principles of the proposed 2007 Strategic Plan for Henderson County is to encourage "green" building and energy efficient construction and promote the use of sustainable and renewable energy sources. Our commissioners are certainly to be commended for their commitment to this principle. GP 6/14/07 Eva Ritchey Writes ...
I want to tell you how proud we all can
be of the cooperative and non competitive spirit that the League of
Women Voters has. Even though our brochure was basically copied
from theirs, they are more interested in solving the problem than
worrying over credit. That is a spirit that is so encouraging. I
want to thank the League for this sharing spirit. Solving
global warming will be a neighbor to neighbor effort that will only succeed if all
differences are set aside and we work together for the common good.
We will be making changes to our
brochure as time progresses that will create further differences but
for right now, we are grateful that the League will allow us to
continue.
Here is an encouraging story.
Yesterday, I was in Greensboro at the annual meeting of the NC
Alliance for Transportation Reform. I was on the program to do a
short presentation on GW and transportation. Our brochures were on
the table and a man eating at the restaurant where the event was
scheduled noticed them. He was probably the least likely person in
that restaurant that you would have ever thought would be interested
in GW. How often we mistake interest by judging from outward
appearances. He came up to the table and asked if he could have one
and of course we said "yes." He is so concerned and asked what he
could do. I said, "Take the brochure and go and speak to your
county commissioners and organize a group in your county to start
working on the problem." A number of these brochures were
distributed.
Again, my thanks to the League of Women
Voters.
I wanted to give you a small report on the Garden Jubilee. All I can say is that it was such a grand success. Thanks to our volunteers who maned the booth, those who gave of their time to create our new brochure, those who lent us wonderful things like Dr. Dienst's Globe Bank and those who gave money we reached a lot of people and gathered a lot of signatures.
We were able to move the table to near the
Skyland Cinema. That was a better location for more traffic. I know
there are many stories that the volunteers can tell you but I will share
this one. On Sunday, a man approached us as Tom and I were moving the
table to the Skyland Cinema. He was obviously coming from church. He
read the sign on the front of the table that said, "What can you do?"
and said to us as we were walking, "What can I do?" We asked him if he
would follow us down one block and we would give him some literature and
speak with him. He did and we shared our mutual concerns. This
gentleman is very concerned about global warming and he wants to go back
to his church, First Baptist, and encourage them to get involved. As
they say, you never know where the winds will carry your "seeds."
As some of you know I had thought for some
time about selling bottled water in front of my shop. I thought this
would be a good idea for our table to raise funds. It was very
successful. Not only did we sell water for $1but we encouraged
recycling by having folks bring back their bottles for a ten cents
refund. I have a half bag full of plastic bottles. Because of the
generosity of some who dropped $5 into the globe, we raised a total of
$67.27. After expenses for water and ice, we now have a balance of
$53.27. Also, I would like to acknowledge the generosity of Dr. Dienst
who gave $8 towards the copying expense.
My suggestion is that we give these funds to
the ARC faith community group for their postage and copying needs. I
will be selling water outside my shop and on designated days I will give
the profits to the task force. That way we can begin to build funds
before our luncheon.
There is much to be done but with a group
like this, we will do it.
My heartfelt thanks to all of you who worked
so hard.
Five Steps to a
Healthier and more Environmentally Friendly Church 3. Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. 5. Reduce Waste. Establish a recycling
program at church. Utilize reusable items such as durable cups, plates, and
dishes. Use recycled paper in the church office. Explore ways to engage
children in environmental ministry projects. |
