Wow! Yesterday was an
amazing day. In all 50 states, at
more than 1400 places across the nation, motivated citizens
came together with a common goal: Asking Congress to Step It Up and cut Carbon
by 80% by 2050. I was involved either guest speaking or manning a booth at
several San Francisco Bay Area events and it was really, really, fantastic to
see the positive energy and support around this realistic goal. Gone were the
preachy, doomsday tomes, and in their place were encouraging, proactive things
you can do. My three-year-old nephew Luke, after watching a kid’s theatre
presentation, said that he is going start taking shorter showers to “make the
earth get coowduh” (that’s colder to you and me). Congratulations and
thank you to everyone who is Stepping It Up!

At several
events this past week, one of the issues that people seem to have the most
confusion and concern about, is the subject of reusing, recycling and reducing.
So to clarify, I offer the following:

Recycling: Not every plastic, metal or paper
can be recycled and by mixing the wrong items in with the right, ones you can
actually prevent all of it from being recycled. Call your local Recycling and
Resource Recovery Center and ask them to send you some guidelines. Visit www.earth911.org

Reducing and Reusing:
First and foremost, purchase (and use!) re-usable grocery bags. Plastic bags
cannot be recycled and are a major cause of pollution, killing millions of sea
birds and other animals each year. And remember how I always say Sustaining Your Home, Sustaining Your Self and Sustaining Your Planet is all connected? Well, use these tips from earh911 and start
saving over $1,000 per year - which I personally think you should then use to get yourself a spa weekend with the girls!

• Use rechargeable batteries in toys, flashlights, radios. You can save $200 a year by using rechargeable batteries instead of disposables in one CD player used 2 hours a day.
• Use cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers. You’ll save $600 per child by using a laundry diaper service instead of disposable diapers.
• Use a real camera instead of a disposable one and save up to $144 each year.
• Switch to cloth napkins, sponges, and wipes instead of paper and save over $260 each year. Smile when you imagine all the wipes you’ll keep out of our landfills.
• Use washable plates, cups, and silverware instead of disposable products.
• Use an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors.
• Buy high quality/long life tires. They cost less per mile traveled and reduce the problem of disposing of used tires.
• Use a washable commuter mug for your morning coffee and eliminate a Styrofoam or plastic cup. Most coffee shops will give you a discount. Encourage your co-workers as well.
• Clean and service your appliances, computers, tools, and cars so that they will
       enjoy even longer lives. And, before you replace them, check to see if they are repairable. Consider sharing equipment that is used infrequently such as hedge clippers, pruners, fruit pickers, or chain saws.

Participation
in the EcoMom Challenge continues to grow at a rapid-fire rate. I can barely
keep up with the emails. Thank you for helping to spread the word. Together, we moms are making a huge difference and I am so proud of each and every one of you for taking your First Steps For A Sustainable Future! On behalf of our children, and all future generations, thank you.