Coal: By the Numbers

Sometimes something as purely simple as a few digits can show us what we are doing to our world. A while back I came across some such numbers in the Sierra Club magazine which really made things more clear to me and at least got me thinking, if not changing behavior. I thought sharing them with you might do the same.

162

Pounds of coal it takes to light a house with incandescent lightbulbs for just a month.

79

Pounds of coal it takes to run an electric dryer for a month.

170

Pounds of coal it takes to heat water for the average U.S. household for a month.

235

Pounds of coal it would take to warm the average U.S. household for a month.

1,140

Total pounds of coal the average U.S. household uses in coal each month, resulting in...

3,369

Pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

What are you thinking? Are you inspired to change anything? What can you change?

Green Gracious Flea Market 8.28.09

I am jetting off to NYC for a meeting this weekend. But I wanted to leave you with some eco-eye candy so here is another edition of the Green Gracious Flea Market, featuring green products to ogle over.

In the market for a new TV? Is your husband? Steer him in the direction of this green screen which uses only 67 watts which is about half of a regular LCD, and the set is lead free.

I have some great friends and colleagues that love to bike. I am not into the trend yet. But that doesn't keep me from eyeing this awesome fold up bike. Especially in my very favorite color-orange!

Have you ever started your shower and sat there staring at the water going down the drain while waiting for the water to warm up and wondered about the wasted water? If you thought there has to be a better way, you were right, and now there is. One answer is this shower adapter from Evolve which keeps the water off until it gets warm. It then starts a slow trickle to let you know it's ready. A quick pull of the cord gives you full pressure and peace of mind.

Dry-cleaning is obviously not the the greenest solution, but sometimes it's still a necessary evil. One way to make your dry-cleaning experience more earth-friendly is by getting rid of the plastic. This bag is a brilliant multi-tasker which you can use as a tote to take your clothes in and a laundry bag to take them home.

Anything catch your fancy? Seen anything green and great out there lately?

Mama, What Is A Landfill?

Did you ever watch the show "Kid's Say the Darndest Things?" You know the one with Bill Cosby as the host? This used to be my favorite show. My husband will tell you that while other college students were out drinking their weight in rum, I was in my dorm room tuning in and laughing my head off to this show. Because it's true, kids are hilarious and brilliant.

I was reminded of it this morning when, as I was emptying our garbage cans, Tucker asked:

"Mom, where does the garbage go?"

"To a landfill honey."

"What's a landfill?"

"It's a place where they dump all the garbage from everyone in the area."

"And then what do they do with it?"

"Ummm, nothing. It just sits there."

"For how long?"

"Forever pretty much."

"Yeah, but what do they do with it?"

"Sweetie, they don't do anything, it just sits there and then when there is enough they cover it up and grow grass on it."

"And can I roll down the grass?"

"No, not that grass. There is yucky stuff under it."

"Yucky stuff like vegetables?"

"No, worse then vegetables."

His wisdom amazes me once again. I am an eco-warrior every day and yet I seldom take the time to stop and think about how ridiculous the concept of a landfill is. Seriously-the trash just sits there. It doesn't DO anything. This idea is totally unfathomable to a four-year old! Maybe it should be to us grown-ups as well.