WalMart CFLs
Sep 24, 2007 Budget Environmentalism, Eco Friendly Home, Environmentally Friendly, Sustainable Energy
I read over on TreeHugger that WalMart is going to start selling their own brand of CFLs. From the reactions I’m seeing there, people aren’t so sure that this is good news.
I can’t say I blame people for worrying. I’m not much of a WalMart fan myself.
I’ve had pretty good luck getting what I consider to be highly affordable CFL. SDG&E, the power company in my area, often has discounted bulbs in area stores. I saw packs of 4 selling for $1/pack one time. Most times they’re between $2-3 for packs of 3 or 4. After the SDG&E discount, that is. They’re still much pricier around here without that.
If WalMart is going to make such a big deal about selling them, I’d love to see them do what IKEA does, and recycle them too. It’s such a wonderful thing they could do for customers, and it really helps to complete the advantages of CFLs.
Technorati Tags: walmart, cfl, compact flourescent bulbs
Are You Going Car Free Today?
Sep 22, 2007 Environmental News, Environmentally Friendly, Going Green
I found out on TreeHugger that today is World Car Free Day. I think you can figure out what you’re supposed to do today.
Today’s an unusual day. I actually need to be in a car. It’s my niece’s birthday. Fortunately, I am carpooling with my mother, who passes within about a mile of my home on her way there anyhow. I figure that makes it a little better.
As a stay at home mom, not using a car is generally pretty easy for me. I probably drive about once a week. My husband needs the car pretty much daily, due to the nature of his job, but at least we live close to his work, so the commute is short.
Anyhow, just a short post to let you know about Car Free Day. I’d love to hear if anyone is trying it.
Technorati Tags: car free day, no car, driving, carpool, carpooling
How Many Solar Panels to Power the U.S.?
Sep 21, 2007 Environmental News, Sustainable Energy
I found this post on Green Wombat very interesting. Apparently there’s a new type of solar thermal plants that could supply all of the United States’ power needs by covering just 92 by 92 mile square. They work by heating tubes of liquid, and the steam powers turbines.
It’s not a simple solution. That’s a huge area, and the plan would also involve going from AC to DC power.
Of course, this is merely a thought experiment right now. No word as to whether or not it will really happen. But Ausra, the company working on this, expects to have solar storage technology available in 18 months. So we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. I don’t know that a centralized solution really will be the best option.
Technorati Tags: solar panels, solar panel, solar thermal plants
Sometimes Going to the Farmer’s Market for Local Food is Tough
Sep 18, 2007 Budget Environmentalism, Eco Friendly Home, Environmentally Friendly, Going Green
One of the big topics right now when people talk about taking care of the environment is eating locally. Some feel that it’s even more important than buying organic foods, since the production of carbon from transportation of food does so much damage.
Farmer’s markets are a great option for buying local food. The food is often organic, if not certified so, and you can talk to people who know about how it was grown.
I’ve been wanting to go to my local farmer’s market, but there’s a little problem I haven’t quite gotten my head around yet.
Getting there.
You see, my nearest farmer’s market is on Saturdays, when my husband is at work. It’s about two miles away, which is walkable for me, but with a 5 year old and a 2-1/2 year old, even if I put them in the wagon? Pretty tough. I’m wondering how worn out I’d be by the end.
It’s one of the few disadvantages I’ve found to having only one car. Sometimes I can’t easily shop the way I would like to.
But now that the weather here is cooling off from the 90-100 degrees F range, I’m thinking it’s coming up on time to give it a try. I just need to load the kids into the wagon with some cold water to drink, grab the reusable bags and get going.
While the one nearest me isn’t listed on this site, you can check LocalHarvest.org for farmer’s markets in your area.
Technorati Tags: eat local, local eating, local food, farmers markets
