Read n' Sead 3

1.  For this weeks read and seed, I covered two chapters:  Energy and Water, and Communication. 

2.  The Energy and Water chapter covered information on the problems with electricity, fossil fuels, renewable energy, water, and household appliances energy use. Communication talked about paper use and telephones. 

3.   The first chapter gave brief, but precise information on the greenhouse effect ozone depletion.  For more information and visit Dosomething.org. One interesting fact this chapter gave was in one day the sun hits the earth with more energy than the entire population could use in 27 years.  Sadly the United States has not taken advantage of this incredible power as only 1% of the total electricity consumption comes from solar-power.  Wind and water power are also greatly underutilized in the United States.  Tons of helpful tips were given to reduce energy use and costs.  Use rechargeable batteries, use compact fluorescent lightbulbs, use outdoor solar lights, shut off refrigerator ice makers, unplug toasters, coffee pots, VCRS and other devices not used constantly, hang clothes instead of using the dryer, and only wash full loads of laundry.  If you are shopping for new appliances, look for the "Energy Star" sign to save on energy and water.  

The second chapter from this weeks reading was a bit shorter than other chapters.  The title, Communication, refers to all of the paper used in communication.  Books, newspaper, magazine, and mail all come from trees.  The most interesting fact I learned from this chapter was that only the label "100 percent postconsumer" guarantees that no trees were cut for the making of a certain product.  If an item is labeled simply as recycled, the product was made out of scraps lying around factories.  I also learned that all of the Harry Potter books were printed on 100 percent postconsumer paper.  The author warns readers to print things with caution because five hundred sheets of printer paper uses up six percent of a tree.  Printing many documents also uses up ink cartridges quickly.  Tips for reducing paper use are purchase recycled paper, opt out of junk mail at www.optout.cdt.org, view magazines and newspapers online, recycle all paper and ink cartridges, and recycle old cell phones instead of throwing them in the garbage. 

4.   If the United States stepped up to the plate on going green, we would be a much healthier country.  The European Union has been much more successful at curbing emissions, following the Kyoto Protocols. Europe has demonstrated that it is possible to treat the earth better, now it is time to follow their lead.  The ozone layer wouldn't deplete as rapidly, and we would be less dependent on disappearing fossil fuels.  

The communication chapter stated that Americans throw 130 million cell phones in the garbage each year.  To reduce this number in landfills, phones can be sent to the Wireless Foundation, or left in company drop boxes.  Lastly, I learned that one ton of 50% postconsumer printer paper saves 12 trees.  If postconsumer paper were to become more popular, the United States could save dozens of trees.                                                                

Picture from: http://www.newmansownorganics.com/images/book_guidegood.jpg