Green Pledge

Mother Nature is suffering. Because of that, we are suffering. Our home is in danger of being destroyed by our very own hands. As a citizen of our planet, ask yourself what have you taken from her? Everything! Now ask yourself, what have you given her? Nothing but suffering. Tomorrow is World Environment Day. What can we do? It's time to stand up to make a name for ourselves. Let us be the ones, the ones whom our children can proudly call us as heroes! Let us make this period as our finest hour. We have the time, the resource, the capabilities to make a change. Question is; can you summon your will to do it? I challenge all of you to make the Green Pledge and practise what you preached!




For my transportation, I pledge to...
take public transportation to work or school instead of driving at least 1 day a week
carpool to work or school at least 1 day a week
replace at least 5 miles of driving with biking or walking per week
inflate car tires properly, use recommended motor oil and keep car well tuned
buy fuel efficient vehicle (30 mpg)


At home, I pledge to...
turn off lights and appliances when not in use
use computer sleep mode at home and office, turn off computer at night
open the dishwasher and air dry dishes instead of using the hot air dry cycle, run only full loads
dry laundry on a clothesline
wash clothes on warm cycle, wash only full loads
turn down your hot water heater to 120F
shorten showers by a few minutes to conserve hot water
lower your thermostat by 1F during the winter season
adjust thermostat when you leave the house (10F down in winter, 10F up in summer)
keep up with basic furnace maintenance- have it professionally tuned and cleaned, replace air filters regularly
cook more efficiently- cover pots, use a pressure cooker when appropriate, keep burners clean, cook several dishes at a time in the oven, use microwave to heat food
keep drapes or blinds closed at night in winter and during the day in the summer to reduce heating and cooling needs
clean refrigerator coil every 4-6 months
replace at least 3 incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
install faucet aerators in sinks to reduce hot water use
install low-flow shower heads to conserve hot water
insulate 4 ft of hot water pipes closest to hot water heater
insulate all hot water pipes
caulk and weatherstrip all your doors and windows
have a professional seal your heating ducts to reduce loss of heated air
install programmable thermostat
replace old inefficient dishwasher (over 10 years old) with an Energy Star model
replace old inefficient refrigerator (over 10 years old) with an Energy Star model
replace old inefficient clothes washing machine (over 10 years old) with an Energy Star model
improve your home's insulation
replace old furnace with efficient Energy Star model
install a solar hot water heater
eat one less beef meal per week

If everyone of us commit to at least 5 of the above suggestions everyday from today, we can make a whole lot of difference. Mark down what you plan to do, and post it here. Or print this article out and post it on your fridge. Tell your family and friends what you plan to do. Forget about rankling what mistakes we have done, let us all focus on what we can do. Make that action! Spread the word and unite the world! We can all do this.

• Want to save the The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, prevent future wars over oil, shut down risky nuclear power plants and stop global warming?
  Take the Green Ribbon Pledge:
  http://www.greenribbonpledge.org
  
  
• Be part of a united movement towards a safe, secure and sustainable future.
  
  Take the Green Ribbon Pledge:
  http://www.greenribbonpledge.org
  
  
• Ensure energy security, clean air and a stable climate tomorrow by pledging clean and efficient energy use today.
  Take the Green Ribbon Pledge:
  http://www.greenribbonpledge.org