Copenhagen brought the world’s attention to global warming, but right here in Central Oregon people are cooling our climate by choosing renewable energy. Let’s turn the global warming problem into an economic opportunity by developing a clean energy industry independent of foreign oil and fossil fuels. Be part of the solution for a cooler climate.
- Pacific Power Blue Sky Program
- Midstate Electric Green Power Program
- Central Electric Cooperative Green Power Program
Don't Be a Bright Light
Hey you…yeah you in the house with every light on…are you trying to flag down someone from space? A portion of our energy needs here in Central Oregon actually come from coal fired power plants in neighboring states. So every time you turn that switch you’re using energy from coal, contributing to air pollution and global warming. So don't be that guy - turn off the lights when you leave the room.
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Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
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Use natural light wherever possible.
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Replace your bulbs with energy efficient CFL bulbs.
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Adjust your lighting to reflect your needs depending on the space.
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Replace your existing light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights.
Learn more about energy savings from CFL bulbs from the New American Dream website.
Make Your Home Efficient
The beginning of the New Year is a great time to choose a resolution that's good for both you and the planet. So this year, resolve to make your home more efficient! Change those bulbs, replace older appliances, turn things off when you’re done, then get an energy audit to see what your home needs. Let’s keep winter cold.
Hey you...in the T-shirt...last time I looked it was still January! Like...winter?! If you’re wearing a T-shirt, chances are your heat is on pretty high. Save the t-shirt for summertime and throw on a sweatshirt instead…lowering the heat in your house not only saves you money, it prevents pollution and stops a lot of carbon from entering the atmosphere. So don’t be that guy – keep winter cold and go put on a warm layer!
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Unplug electronics when done - they draw energy while off!
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Plug similar electronics into one power strip that can be turned off when you are done - best for TV and computer systems.
Learn more about “phantom energy loss” from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Choose to Reuse
Do you CHOOSE TO REUSE? Some easy choices are bringing your own bag, coffee mug, or water bottle. Or what about reclaimed lumber for a new deck, a vintage window to frame some art, or raised garden beds made out of stacked wine bottles? With so many RE-uses for materials already available, it’s an opportunity to have fun and get creative while living lighter on the earth.
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S.C.R.A.P. (Portland)
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ReBuilding Center (Portland)
Recycling may be a household word, but do you know exactly what you can and can’t put in your bin? If you’re not sure, check with your disposal company, then recycle all you can. You’ll be amazed by how much you reduce your garbage! And when you buy products made from recycled materials, you close the loop, keeping resources in use for new products, while leaving some natural resources . . . well . . . natural!
Local Resources:
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Madras Sanitary Services - 475.2071
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Battery Recycling 1.800.8.BATTERY
Do you recycle your food and yard waste? While they don’t go into your recycling bin, they can be recycled through composting! Composting is a great way to keep organic waste like fruits, veggies and yard debris out of the landfill. Composting also recycles vital nutrients back into our local soil and feeds your indoor and outdoor plants! If you’re not able to compost at home, let the Deschutes & CrookCounty landfills do it for you. They accept yard debris specifically for composting.
DETOX YOUR HOME
Indoor air quality is often worse that outdoor air quality due to the chemicals we find in many common household products. Next time you are spring cleaning make it an opportunity to detox your house.
Do you really think you’re going to use all that leftover paint from your remodel 3 years ago? Chemicals in paints and stains not only pose health risks to you and your loved ones, but they also enter the environment when you use them. This spring, detox your home by giving away or recycling that leftover paint. Latex and oil based paints and stains are recyclable at Knott Landfill and participating paint and hardware stores across Deschutes County. Look for non-toxic environmentally safe paints and stains for your next project.
You wouldn’t dream of putting chemicals in the river, so why do you put them on your lawn? After it rains, chemical fertilizers are swept off lawns and down a storm drain, which may lead to a waterway! This spring, make sure your landscaping absorbs storm water on site and try organic fertilizers instead of chemicals. Safer for you, your loved ones, and our high desert environment.
SHRINK YOUR ECO-FOOTPRINT
An ecological footprint is a measurement that tallies humans consumption of natural resources against biologically available available land and water to maintain and replenish those resources. As Americans, our average ecological footprint is 24 acres per person. This means we would need a total of 4 Earths if everyone in the world led a lifestyle like ours! As a country that is only 5 % of the population, we consume over 20% of it's resources! One way we can look at how we each contribute to America's impact on the planet is to look at each of the 5 aspects measured in an ecofootprint. Take the quiz and find out your EcoFootprint! Ecofoot.org was also included in Time Magazine's Top 50 websites for 2007!
Crashing Your Pad
Bigger houses use more resources to build, heat, cool, light and fill! Simply put, the bigger your house, the bigger your ecofootprint. So next time you’re looking to buy, remodel, or build, ask yourself – is bigger really better?
- Get inspired to satisfy your desire for a fabulous home without the trappings of a fabulously large home at The Not So Big House website.
Next time you’re at the supermarket, skip the over-packaged products and cook a meal instead. Choose slow food from the Northwest over fast food from who knows where. And next time you’re looking to supersize it, ask yourself – is bigger really better?
- The Eat Well Guide is an online tool to find local food in any area, as well as providing seasonal recipes to get you excited about cooking at home.
Check Your Ride
A bigger car uses more gas and emits more carbon. Smaller cars, walking and biking are healthier for you and the planet. So next time you’re running a small errand with a big car, ask yourself – is bigger really better?
- Check out Commute Options to find a ride share or find out how you can get gift certificates as incentive for choosing a commute option instead of driving yourself to work!
You Are What You Buy
The more we buy, the more space we need, more resources we use and more money we spend! Forget about the Jones’s: buy what you need. And next time you’re paying your credit card bill, ask yourself – is bigger really better?
- Download a "wallet buddy"from the Center for a New American Dream to remind you of "More fun, less stuff, and more of what matters"!
Waste
We’ve all heard Reduce Reuse Recycle, but did you know they go in order? When you reduce what you bring home in the first place, that’s less that has to be reused, or recycled! So next time you take the trash out, ask yourself – is bigger really better?
- Check out the EPA's online "Consumer Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste". Tip #1 - Reduce your packaging!
