Hard Being Green?

am in greg's camp. as an urbanite, living and working in san francisco, i do happily without a vehicle. cars can be rented when needed but for day-to-day i use transit and walk. (greg - your 'affinity' for transit resonates... as a writer i find transit an endless source of inspiration.)

I plant hundreds of trees a year. I'm composting my leaves and manure and turning marginal pasture into much richer grass. I'm a recycler, and I'm about to spend 13000 on a solar panel setup for my home with a net meter to the grid.

With the government and power company incentives it is a break even in 3 years, then I make money. I am shopping for a electric car for after that investment and then I'll be really tickled!

I am learning and trying to be much more consistant with everything but I use canvas bags that I leave in my car for shopping, ie., food, clothes. I use the compost site on my way to work and the recycling facilities we have there. I have been spending one day a week to do all my cooking, dividing up my meals and freezing them, which is also a great time and energy saver. When I purchase food, I try to stay away from prepackaged materials as much as possible but if I do get it I try to stick with products that won't have to be replaced so quickly (It doesn't always happen this way but I try) and I bring my meals and coffee to work in reusable containers.

My grandmother use to recreate clothes, socks, scarves, and even decorative things out of old materials or old clothes and either hand them down to family members or she gave them to someone who needed them. I don't have that kind of talent or time but I still think I should invest in a sewing machine and learn a few things. She and my grandfather use to also do the same with old furniture. They never let anything go to waste.

I don't have the land for a garden but I am hoping to learn how to grow my own herbs and such indoors (I do not have a green thumb so this will be a challenge). Also I have put a timer in the shower (3 teens, it was needed) and recently my son stuffed his sagging couch pillows with old plastic bags... a bit noisy but he said he will figure out how to "iron out the bugs".

I did not begin this journey with the intent to be green. I only began this adventure as a means to utilize my time, resources and energy, and before I knew it, I was getting greener and greener every day. It was commonsense, my grandparents wisdom, and reading my Bible that has directed me in this path. I want to be a good steward of what God has entrusted me with, therefore I am trying to do my part and be responsible for what I have been given. I am a work in progress.

BTW, did any of you see the newscast about radio waves turning salt water into fuel? Its on this site...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/697020/salt_water/

Thanks,to CindyWhite, Tinewen, bettyray, fitzpatrick, teddyb, CarolT, and everyone for posting useful green tips here.

Our family is a work in progress toward become more environmentally conscious on a daily basis. We compost, garden, grow veggies, and have planted lots of trees, flowers, and shrubs. Fortunately, our local area trash hauler started recycling about 6 mos. ago. I only put one weekly bag of trash out now, so it's made a huge difference! I also keep large canvas tote bags in my car, for groceries, drive a small, 8 year old car, and our family drivers have small, gas-efficient, used cars,and combine trips/errands as much as possible.

We compost and recycle but the thing we are doing next feels more important.

We are installing a 4 kw pv system on our home in the Denver area.

I was involved in the solar industry in the 70's and 80's and left when the industry died. Recently I decided to return to the industry and help others "go solar". I'm a little old to start another new career but it feels good to be making a difference.

My green contribution is using my 21 speed KHS mountain bike 4 my primary means of transportation. My alternate means is the local bus system. My carbon footprint is pretty damn minimal. I'm gonna get a bit of sleep now. Good bye; I'll bbl!!

I have not driven in the last 7 years,I walk or use public transp. everywhere I go. I also use nothing but an old fashioned reel mower(no gas,engine,or battery) on my lawn and hand powered tools for edging,clipping and trimming the yard,no weed eaters or other power tools.