Make small changes for a big eco-impact

You don't have to make sweeping lifestyle adjustments to help save the planet. “Eco-Friendly Families” has simple actions you can take to make a difference, from placing a brick in your toilet tank to becoming energy efficient, one light bulb at a time.

Chapter two: Small changes, big results
“Get cash immediately!”

“Log on and find your soul mate today!”

“Quit your job and be your own boss now!”

Not a day goes by without our being bombarded with such sweeping statements. While the subject matter varies, the media’s intention is often the same: to convince consumers that big (often immediate) changes are needed to see results. But as we all learned from our friends the tortoise and the hare, slow and steady is usually the way to win a race. A flash-in-the-pan approach may make a big splash or attract a lot of attention, but without a solid plan and staying power, even the best-intended project inevitably goes by the wayside. I have fallen victim to the immediate gratification machine, only to fall short of the mark, and I suspect you have as well. It wasn’t until I changed my approach that I began to make real changes in my life.

On my quest to find a healthy diet that works best for my family, I was introduced to a nutritionist whose philosophy focused on organic, whole foods. She encouraged me to find natural alternatives to the processed foods I was used to eating. Instead of using Sweet & Low, I began using Stevia. Instead of cooking with vegetable oil, I discovered grapeseed oil; instead of white flour, almond flour. After initially stumbling to find complementary options, I found my groove, tapping into my health store’s personnel for suggestions, logging on to trustworthy websites, and seeking out likeminded families. I didn’t “clean house” and toss out my less desirable products; instead, I took some time to work through the products I had on hand while finding replacements that the whole family enjoyed.

I must confess, carob chips are no match for chocolate chips, veggie hot dogs weren’t welcomed with open arms (or mouths), and seaweed soup was just too far out there for all of us. But we have greatly changed our diets for the better, even if we do occasionally indulge in old favorites. Today most of those “alternative” choices have become mainstays.

The same correlation can be made with going green. We don’t have to give up electricity, or go out and spend money replacing light bulbs that are working; but replacing burned-out bulbs with more energy-efficient ones is an eco-friendly alternative that you can initiate in your home. Learning which alternatives are available, making a plan for phasing out less-than-ideal practices, and keeping a watchful eye on ways to better manage our current eco-affairs are
all positive steps in creating a more energy-efficient household. Going green isn’t about giving up what you enjoy, but rather, enjoying things with more environmental awareness. We don’t have to stop giving holiday presents, but exchanging homemade gifts, reusing wrapping paper, or even making our own decorative wrap can become fun family traditions that are rooted in greener living.

After reading those examples, you may be wondering, “How big of a difference can these small changes really make?” After all, it makes sense to believe that an environmental crisis would call for extreme actions. But when we focus on what we can do, keeping our plan rooted in reality, we are much more likely to make an important difference in our environment. Actually doing several small somethings is much more beneficial than waiting (or hoping) for a chance to make one big change. It may feel like the eco-advantage of taking a shorter shower in hopes of saving water could result in only a drop in the bucket, but rest assured, those drops add up. In this chapter, we focus on a simple mathematical equation that adds up to greener living, review the three cardinal rules of environmentally friendly living that will help govern all of our eco-decisions, and begin to appreciate the benefits of simplifying our surroundings.

Fundamental + financial + functional = forward
Once we make the fundamental decision to take better care of our households — and, by extension, our planet — we do our bodies and our wallets a favor by choosing high-quality, sustainable products whose intention is to add beauty and purpose to our lives; this combination moves us forward toward greener living.

Consider the following statistics from the Earth Day Network (www.earthday.net) in terms of the 4F formula.

Bask in a bright idea
If every household in the U.S. replaced a burned-out bulb with an energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent bulb, the cumulative effect [would be] enormous. It would prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that from nearly 800,000 cars. It would also save enough energy to light 2.5 million homes for a year.

Fundamental decision — Responsibly use resources to reduce greenhouse emissions and save energy. When we think of global warming and greenhouse emissions, we usually think cars, power plants, or other large-scale offenders. But making a small-scale change can raise a fixture’s efficiency by up to 30 percent.

Financial benefit — Energy Star models reduce your electric bill about $30 over the life of the compact fluorescent bulb. With an average home having anywhere from 50 to 100 light bulbs, the more bulbs you replace, the greater the savings. Having an extra $30 to put toward a night out may not seem like a lot, but having an extra $1,500 to put toward a family vacation is worth noting.

Functional advantage — The right light bulb will last 6 to 10 times longer than a standard one, meaning less time spent in the dark and less energy spent running to the store. Look for sales on energy-efficient light bulbs, and stock up so that when you need a new bulb, you have a green alternative ready and waiting.

Forward living — Bask in the warm light of your smart bulb decisions, knowing that you are using less energy and saving money. Now that you know the benefits of energy-efficient lighting, keep a few extra light bulbs on hand for a green housewarming gift or a hostess present. Next time a bulb burns out in your friend’s house, they will have an eco-friendly replacement at their fingertips. Passing along your eco-awareness helps keep everyone moving in a greener direction.

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