Authors: Jr. Ed Begley

Living Like Ed (35 page)

BOOK: Living Like Ed

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• Calming.
Many of the minerals in these products are soothing. Some are even recommended for use after things like laser treatments and chemical peels, when your skin is supersensitive.

• Natural sunblocks.
Zinc oxide, in particular, helps block UVA rays. Remember that white zinc lotion lifeguards would always wear on their noses? You may look a little ghostlike when you wear natural sunblock with zinc oxide in it, but it works, and it’s better than all the chemicals in other sunblocks.

You know, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice. There are enough talented chemists and visionary company owners out there to create attractive, fashionable cosmetics that are natural, organic, and affordable, too. I’m sure as the demand for these products increases, more companies will invest in research and development.

Reducing Your Exposure to Toxins

Every day, you have the opportunity to be exposed to toxins. You can choose to wear pesticide-laden clothing. You can choose to eat pesticide-laden food. You can choose to wash your hair and your body with products that are full of parabens. Or you can make healthier choices that will also be kinder to the planet.

You can choose to support organic farmers, organic textile companies, organic clothing designers, and organic retailers. You can choose to support natural hair-care and skin-care companies. Even if you have a hard time finding these products locally, let me assure you, they are readily available online.

Just by simply choosing healthful options every day, you can make a world of difference. You can improve your own health and the health of the environment.

It’s just like choosing to change your lightbulbs or draw your drapes. Just like choosing to drive a greener car. Just like choosing to recycle and buy recycled. Just like choosing to reduce your energy needs and get your energy from greener sources. Just like choosing to eat locally grown, organic food.

It’s all about choices. And you’ve got the power to choose.

Don’t assume that natural fibers are automatically better than synthetics. Just because something is made from natural fibers doesn’t mean it’s environmentally friendly.

The pesticides applied to plants don’t just target insects; they may also encompass an
herbicide,
which kills plants, or a
fungicide,
which kills various types of fungus.

If there’s an item of clothing you hardly ever need, why buy it and have it sit in your closet, unused and practically wasted, when you can rent it for far less money and allow other people to make use of it, too?

Leather production involves a toxic soup of chemicals, many of which have been linked to all kinds of cancers and other health issues, including asthma.

Many dry cleaners have found that making the switch to green processes wasn’t just good for their health, it was good for their business. To ensure it remains that way, be sure to spend your dry-cleaning dollars with meerchants who follow eco-friendly practices.

When it comes to buying cosmetics and toiletries, read the labels and stay away from anything with ingredients that are hard to pronounce.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there are about 36,000 dry cleaning shops in the United States, and about 85 percent of them use

perchloroethylene as their primary solvent.

Some types of hair dye contain lead acetate.

Hair bleach and nail polish may contain formaldehyde.

WORKBOOK

Want to know if this stuff really works? Keep track of just how much money—and energy—you save by making some of the Little Changes, Not-So-Big Changes, and Big Changes outlined in this book. Each time you make a change, record the date you implemented the change. If, for instance, you replace ten incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) or institute a new policy, such as running only full dishwasher or washing machine loads, note the date. When your next utility bill arrives, calculate the difference, and then note which changes were made within that billing period. I bet you will be amazed to see how much it was lowered by making those simple changes.

You’ll also find a section for tracking your results. This includes changes in your energy usage as well as health benefits you’ve noticed, differences in your grocery bills, differences in your gasoline costs, differences in your water usage, and a lot more.

Keeping track of the changes you make and the results in your life is the best way to prove that these changes are good for you
and
good for the environment. After all, the proof is in the savings—and in your improved physical and mental health, too.

CHANGES

ELECTRICITY SAVINGS

Ditch the dirty air filter DATE:_____ COST:_____

Turn down/up the thermostat

I CHANGED THE TEMPERATURE ON MY HEATING SYSTEM FROM:
_____ TO:_____ °F. DATE:_____
I CHANGED THE TEMPERATURE ON MY AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM FROM:_°F TO:_____ °F. DATE:_____

Clean the refrigerator coils DATE:_____

Reseal the refrigerator DATE:_____
COST (FOR MATERIALS AND LABOR, IF APPLICABLE):_____

Reset the refrigerator and freezer settings
I CHANGED THE REFRIGERATOR FROM:_____°F. TO:_____°F.
I CHANGED THE FREEZER FROM:_____°F. TO:_____°F. DATE:_____

Run only full dishwasher loads DATE:_____

Skip the dishwasher’s Heated Dry cycle DATE:_____

Don’t prerinse the dishes DATE:_____

Wash only full loads of clothes in cold water
DATE I BEGAN WAITING FOR A FULL LOAD:_____
DATE I SWITCHED TO COLD WATER:_____

Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)
LIGHTBULB CHANGED:_____ DATE:_____ COST:_____
LIGHTBULB CHANGED:_____ DATE:_____ COST:_____
LIGHTBULB CHANGED:_____ DATE:_____ COST:_____

Start turning off appliances, lights, etc. when not in use
DATE:_____

Buy a home energy management system
DATE I INSTALLED THE SYSTEM:_____
COST:_____

Install a net metering setup DATE:_____COST:_____

Check a box on your electricity bill for green power
PROVIDER:_____
TYPE OF GREEN POWER (E.G., WIND, SMALL HYDROELECTRIC, SOLAR):_____
DATE:_____COST:_____

Go solar
DATE I INSTALLED A SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM:_____COST:_____
PERCENT OF MY POWER NEEDS BEING MET BY THE SYSTEM:_____

Lease a solar setup
DATE I INSTALLED A LEASED SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEM:_____COST:_____
PERCENT OF MY POWER NEEDS BEING MET BY THE SYSTEM:_____

Install a wind power system DATE:_____ COST:_____
PERCENT OF MY POWER NEEDS BEING MET BY THE SYSTEM:_____

Install a time-of-use meter DATE:_____COST:_____

Use power off-peak
AMOUNT OF ENERGY I
USED TO
USE DURING HIGH-PEAK HOURS:_____
DURING LOW-PEAK HOURS:_____DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS:_____
AMOUNT OF ENERGY I
NOW
USE DURING HIGH-PEAK HOURS:_____
DURING LOW-PEAK HOURS:_____DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS:_____

ACTIVITIES I’VE BEEN ABLE TO SWITCH TO OFF-PEAK HOURS

GAS/OTHER ENERGY SAVINGS

Dry clothes on a rack or line DATE:_____ COST:_____

Use the dryer’s moisture sensor instead of timed dry
DATE:_____

Clean the dryer’s lint filter before each load
DATE:_____

Change the water heater’s setting
DATE:_____
I CHANGED IT FROM:_____°F. TO:_____°F.

Wrap the water heater DATE:_____ COST:_____

Draw the drapes
DATE I BEGAN DRAWING THE DRAPES OR CLOSING THE BLINDS OR SHUTTERS AT NIGHT INTHE WINTER:_____
DATE I BEGAN DRAWING THE DRAPES OR CLOSING THE BLINDS OR SHUTTERS DURING THE DAY IN THE SUMMER:_____

Install window film to block UV rays DATE:_____COST:_____

Caulk around the windows DATE: COST:

Install an energy-saving thermostat DATE: COST: Swap a gas mower for an electric or manual model

Swap a gas mower for an electric or manual model
DATE:_____ COST:_____

Plant a no-mow meadow or lawn DATE:_____ COST:_____

Get a rechargeable leaf blower DATE:_____ COST:_____

Install awnings on south-facing windows (and possibly east-and west-facing windows, too) DATE:_____ COST:_____

Get an Energy Star-qualified air conditioner
DATE:_____COST:_____

Get a more efficient dishwasher DATE INSTALLED:_____ COST:_____

Get an air purifier DATE:_____ COST:_____

Get an Energy Star-qualified refrigerator
DATE INSTALLED:_____ COST:_____

Get an Energy Star-qualified washing machine
DATE INSTALLED:_____ COST:_____

Add insulation
DATE ADDED TO THE ATTIC:_____ COST:_____
DATE ADDED TO THE WALLS:_____ COST:_____

Get energy-efficient windows
DATE INSTALLED:_____ NUMBER OF WINDOWS CHANGED:_____ COST:_____

Get a highly efficient gas hot water heater DATE INSTALLED:_____ COST:_____

Let the sun heat your water DATE INSTALLED:_____ COST:_____

WATER SAVINGS

Turn off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, doing dishes
DATE:_____

Take shorter showers NUMBER OF MINUTES’ DIFFERENCE:_____ DATE:_____

Stop hosing off the sidewalk DATE:_____

Take baths instead of showering DATE:_____

Stop flushing your trash DATE:_____

Fix a leaky toilet
DATE:_____ COST (MATERIALS AND LABOR, IF ANY):_____

Get a new low-flow toilet DATE:_____ COST:_____

Water garden/lawns early or late in the day DATE:_____

Do extra watering with a hose or watering can DATE:_____

Buy a rain barrel DATE:_____ COST:_____

Lose the lawn
WHAT IT WAS REPLACED WITH:_____ DATE:_____ COST:_____

RECYCLING CRIB SHEET

Location of my local recycling center

What can go in the curbside recycling bins

What I had been putting in bins by mistake

Closest redemption center or store for returning deposit bottles and cans

Money recouped from redemptions:
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________

Location of local recycling center that accepts scrap metal

Items I’ve recycled so far

Money received/dates
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________

Avoid products packaged in no. 3 and no. 5 plastics

Location of my local recycling center

Location of a cleaner or grocery that accepts plastic bags

MONEY RECEIVED/DATES
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________

Location of special recycling center for high-quality paper

MONEY RECEIVED/DATES
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________
DATE:__________ AMOUNT:__________

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