Earth Day 37 Years Later:

Dear Granchildren and Youger Nieces and Nephews:

Now did you really think Earth Day would come and go with out your Treehugging Grandma Cookie saying anything? Ask your parents. LOL

I cannot believe it has been 37 years since the First Earth Day Happening happened. Back then an event like this was called A Happening; for all you aging Baby Boomers you should remember this. In honor of this day; I sat at our dining room table after I had put Barbie and Beth to bed and search the house for every ink pen I could find in any color available. I raided the kids book bags even.

I sat there in our apartment on English Oaks Drive and did the first ever Pen and Ink Wash; my interpretation of Earth Day. It was a large mound of trash with old tires, plastic bags and milk cartons, old shoes and anything plastic which we were told would take 1,000 years to break down and release dangerous toxins in this time. I have it here somewhere and will search it out and upload it. I cannot believe I have saved this for so long.

My reason for celebrating Earth Day was to do everything I could to make sure my children and future grandchildren (oh my you are here now and I loved you before you were even born!) would be able to enjoy this beautiful planet like we (my siblings and I) did as a children. A safe and very green planet for all living things. I felt I could do something anything to make this a reality.

I would like to ask you all to go to the library and rent the DVD Inconvient Truth and have movie night with your parents. Any anyone else. Or hold ask your parents if you can host a Green Party using recycled plates and cups, organic food and candles to save energy.

Here are some great sites to check out but check with your parents first.

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GlobalWarming/

There is a quiz to find out how Green your home is and now much carbon your home produces. This is called Carbon Footsteps; reducing this rating will certainly help our planet. And in the future saving the planet will be so good for your future children and their children! :)

So Nieces, Nephews and Grandchildren; here are some energy saving tips for your household. But first here are some things that ya'll can do even as young people. It will help your parents by reducing their electric and water bills. They should love that!

1. While brushing your teeth; turn off the water until you are ready to rinse out your mouth. This saves lots and lots of water!
2. When you leave a room, turn out the lights. It takes awhile to get used to doing this but it will save tons of dollars too!
3. After charging up equipment like cell phones, toys, batteries, etc. unplug the chargers. If you touch the outside of the charge it will feel warm which means it is eating up electricity and also sending out carbon dioxide into our air. We want to reduce carbon!
4. Ask your parents if you can plant a perennial Green Garden (perennials come back year after year); plant some small trees and bushes in there in the background and some lovely perennials in the front. You can even plant some lovely veggie plants in it too and help feed the family. Ocra has the most beatiful flowers so do squashes. I can help you with your Green Garden when I get there. You can find baby trees out in the woods and in Morgan's yard there is a natural area where I think you can find baby trees. Just ask your parents to watch out for poison ivy or oak! If you would like me to bring something special from my garden when I move to Atlanta just email me and I will dig it up and pot it for you. :)
5. If you are not watching TV or listening to the radio; just turn it off when not in use. If you leave the room you can cut it off too.
6. Keep the mini blinds or curtains closed during the day when it is hot outside. Close all the big doors too.
7. Keep the mini blinds open in the winter during the day. That warms up the house a lot. Just remember to close them when the sun goes down. Heat leaves a house when it gets dark.
8. Ask your parents if you can have one of those new florescent bulbs for your bedroom. They only cost about 4 bucks but save a lot of money, do not heat up the room releasing carbon (have you ever touched a light bulb that has been on awhile? It is HOT!). Ask your parents to consider converting all their light bulbs to the new energy saving ones. There is more information below about them.
9. When you go to the store with your parents take a recycled bag with you and refuse the plastic bag at the store. You can even use your own backpack to store your purchases.
10. If you need something from the store; ask your parents about it when they are going out on errands so they can pick it up when out. Saves gasoline!
11. Help your parents by removing your belongings from their car as extra weight in cars uses more gasoline.
12. When you go to a friend's house or even a family member please remember to conserve energy at their house too!
13. And share some of these tips with your friends.
14. Help the younger children with these tips too. Show them how to do it.

If you can think of anything else to save out valuable resources just let me know and I can add them.

Happy Earth Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I love you all bunches and bunches! All the words in blue below are called Hot Buttons and are links to other sites with more information about conserving energy.

Love,

Nancy, Mom, Grandma Cookie~the Tree Hugging Old Lady!

Top 10 Tips for Saving Energy Right Now from About.com
From Jeffrey Orloff,Your Guide to Saving Energy.FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Saving energy doesn't always take days of planning. There are many things you can do right now to start saving energy and cutting down on costs.
1) Setting Your Thermostat
Install a programmable thermostat compatible with your heating and cooling system. Make sure to set it comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer.
2) Lower Your Water Heater Temperature
Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees farenheit.
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3) Washing Clothes or Dishes
Follow the full load guideline. Never use the dishwasher or washing machine unless it houses a full load.
4) Using Power Strips
Plug your electronics into power strips. When turning off these electronics, power down using the power strip to prevent stand-by mode from drawing electricity unnecessarily.
5) Power Down Computers and Monitors
Turn off your computer and monitor when they are not being used. Contrary to popular beliefs, turning them on and off will not cause damage. If you are away from your computer at different intervals, make sure you have set the power save options.
6) Drying Dishes
Air dry dishes rather than using the heated drying cycle.
7) Washing in Cold Water
Wash clothes in cold water. This not only reduces hot water usage, but it is better for your clothing as well.
8) Use Compact Fluorescent Lighting
Use compact fluorescent bulbs to light your home. Not only do these bulbs use less energy, but they last longer than traditional bulbs.
9) Take Showers
Take short showers instead of baths. The amount of water used, and heated is significantly less for a shower.
10) Look for the Energy Star Label
Buy products that have the Energy Star label on them. All Energy Star products meet strict guidelines set by the US Department of Energy.