"When the European market opens, buy the hell out of wind technology firms! This Pickens Plan thing is about to explode!"
We know the “Green” scene is already wearing thin with many people, but frankly, no matter what you call it, sustainability is just good practice for local governments, businesses, and individuals. Sustainability is less about giving up stuff than it is about thinking more strategically about resource use, waste management, lifestyle choices, etc. Regardless of what you think about climate change or global warming (maybe you just hate polar bears. Perhaps you have a grudge because one mauled your Artic explorer grandfather. We don’t judge.), there are more people than ever consuming more and more stuff, and this rotating rock of ours has a finite capacity for playing host to the big party. At some point, we’re gonna have Last Call, and we hear Mars has a pretty lame jukebox.
There are numerous organizations around KC dedicated to helping the public figure out where to begin when it comes to greenin’ yo’self. One of the groups that is most accessible is Bridging The Gap, based in KCMO, which works around the region “connecting environment, economy, and community,” promoting environmentally friendly practices from rain gardens and rain barrels for homeowners to helping oversee and staff our community drop-off recycling centers (and yes, Midtown residents, they’re working on finding a new location after the 63rd & Paseo option didn’t take). BTG has a sort of primer for small steps people can take to begin traveling down Sustain Lane called “5 Green Things” (and no, it’s not a “Full Monty” performance starring the Hulk):
Do These Five Green Things!
- Give up bottled water – Average household reduction of CO2 emissions: 216 pounds a year
- Wash your laundry in cold water - Average household reduction of CO2 emissions: 327 pounds a year
- Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs - Average household reduction of CO2 emissions: 566 pounds a year
- Set thermostat at 68° in winter, 78° in summer - Average household reduction of CO2 emissions: 553 pounds a year
- Cut your gasoline use by one quarter - Average single car reduction of CO2 emissions: 2500 pounds a year.
Not everyone can do everything, but doing any one of these actions makes a difference in some way. If you’re more inclined to give some green for the cause, BTG is currently running a matching program supported by everybody’s favorite plain-voiced balladeer, Jack Johnson:
Now through September 14, 2008, The Jack Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation will match every dollar donated to Bridging The Gap up to $2,500. When making a donation, please mark your gift with “All At Once” in the memo of your check or in the online memo box. This simple step potentially doubles the impact of your gift and provides Bridging The Gap with more resources to continue the great work we are doing in our community.
The benefit of many sustainable habits is that you save money while saving the environment…so if you don’t do it for Mama Earth, do it for Daddy Warbucks. Whatever you do, don’t make that damn Indian cry again…
