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Forum » Eco Car Forums » Environmental Discussion

What do you do to help the environment?

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Written on: 12. 01. 08 [20:55]
ecoadmin Administrator Topic creator registered since: 20.07.2007 Posts: 368	Ok, you are driving a green car or you are not driving one at all - well done. But what else do you do to help our environment? I start with my own list: -riding a bicycle/walking when going shopping -recyclying of paper, plastic bottles, metal anything accepted by the recycling center -using energy saving light bulbs and turning them off when not in use -trying to avoid plastic bags whenever possible -buying local produce, if avail. organic -heating the house to not more than 20°C (has also has a health benefit!) I am curious what others do...? ecocarforum.com - Green Car Network Community for sustainable transport
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Written on: 17. 01. 08 [18:15]
Franko30 Moderator registered since: 08.09.2007 Posts: 62	ecoadmin wrote: -recyclying of paper, plastic bottles, metal anything accepted by the recycling center -using energy saving light bulbs and turning them off when not in use -trying to avoid plastic bags whenever possible -heating the house to not more than 20°C (also has a health benefit!) Hi, I do that, too. In addition to that: I only buy organic (preferrably regional) produce (organic farming produces way less CO2-equivalent than conventional farming with all its - oil based - fertilizers and pesticides) When shopping, I buy bottles (and other returnable containers) that use a refundable deposit system (German: "Mehwegsystem") instead of disposable packaging. I use the train for inner-European-travel. If I have to fly, I compensate via Atmosfair. I produce solar electricity with a 10 kW peak photovoltaic system on one of my houses. I produce electricity with two gas powered cogeneration units by Senertec (the "Dachs") in one of my houses. I financed and run a commercial building containing shops, custom-built in "Niedrigenergiebauweise" (ways of making a house use very little energy - is there an English term for that? Low-energy construction?). It also is completely heated and cooled in summer by renewable energies. I use "Holzpellets" (wood pellets that enable a heating system to burn wood automatically) and a cogeneration system that runs on pure canola oil (locally produced, no genetic engineering). I support groups that cut off plants from genetically engineered crops in acts of civil disobedience ("ziviler Ungehorsam"), but also groups that work against genetically modified plants and animals on a political level. In my private house I use wood-pellets-heating, supported by solar heating (solar thermal collectors) and the house was also renovated in "Niedrigenergiebauweise" (it was built around 1500). I use electricity from renewable energy sources (wind, water, sun) from a provider that's trustworthy (meaning: that doesn't re-label atomic energy as renewable energy as permitted by the Renewable Energy Certificate System (RECS) - which is current practice of the German companies EON, Vattenfall and RWE). I turn off my computers at night. I support (and am a member of) the German Green Party Cheers Franko30 [This article was edited 2 times, at last 17.01.2008 at 18:18.] TW 808 / 20 AH LiIon-Akkus seit 03/2008 / Höchste Reichweite bisher: 140 km. Verbrauch 6,3 kWh/100 km (372 US-miles per Gallon)
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Written on: 18. 01. 08 [13:09]
ecoadmin Administrator Topic creator registered since: 20.07.2007 Posts: 368	Hello Frank, That is an impressive list you have...I am sure your efforts will inspire others to follow. Keep it up. I like the completeness of it. One area I would like to know more is CO2 offsetting. I know CO2 offsetting is not the best solution to the problem, but should be considered. I will probably open up a new thread to discuss this seperately. It seems like there is only the two of us discussing at the moment. Well, I hope that will change soon. Our visitor numbers are on the rise from what I can see in the statistics. I've taken a few steps recently to also improve our page ranking on search engines. However, it will take some time until the measures will show a result. So guys and gals out there reading these posts, what is your contribution for a better future? You must be doing something, I hope! ecocarforum.com - Green Car Network Community for sustainable transport
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Written on: 01. 03. 08 [00:27]
jstack6 registered since: 27.10.2007 Posts: 30	I try to do many things to be GREENER bicycle to work, meetings and the store. Work is 20 miles each way. I have a gas hog 2005 Prius that I get 50-85 mpg now. I will make it a plug-in with the A123 hymotion option as soon as they are available this year, 2008, for 100-200 mpg. recycle everything use reusable bags shopping have solar grid tied system I installed myself before incentives and net-metering installed solar hot water installed solar screens and window inflextors on my home to save energy installed 2 solar tube light tubes on my home I buy renewable energy 7 blocks 700 KwH each month even though I never use more than 3 eat vegetarian, vegan , theis saves 10 times the energy and 100 times the water of other eating, and saves animals from suffering. We buy local produce. Never wear or buy leather or animal products, even shoes or sneakers. teach a class on Solar Energy at 3 local community colleges. on the board of national Electric Vehicle Association. on the board of my local solar grouops ASEA and member ASES. write blogs on EVworld and help on website write on fixingtheplanet.com give free talks at schools, and energy meetings. I speak up at rate hearing and energy meetings for utilites and comissions. I feel if we don't speak up we condone the poor practices and policies.
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Written on: 14. 05. 08 [21:49]
ecoadmin Administrator Topic creator registered since: 20.07.2007 Posts: 368	Hello everyone, Its been a while since I've asked this question and I would like to use this opportunity to amend my list. I recently moved and changed jobs and used the opportunity to cut my emissions further. To be less car dependant, I chose my new home near my workplace. I now have the option to cycle to/from work or use a bus. I also sold my car and motorcycle. The car was not so hard to give a way, but the sale of my motorbike was a bit emotional , because of the many memories connected to it. But i got over it. Not beeing dependant on those vehicles makes me actually feel quite good! I now use the bicycle whenever possible and public transport (bus and train). If a car is needed I have the opportunity to use a car sharing network. You quickly realize how much freedom a car can give you...and that there is also a life without one. If I buy one again, it will be...? One with a plug. ecocarforum.com - Green Car Network Community for sustainable transport
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Written on: 19. 05. 08 [07:35]
carmusk registered since: 10.05.2008 Posts: 5	Hi everyone! That would be a great help to our environment. I also used bike instead of using my motorcycle when go to the public market. I have also made a blog the title is Enviro Cars. It’s all about the vehicles that help preserve our green planet.
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Written on: 31. 05. 08 [01:11]
jstack6 registered since: 27.10.2007 Posts: 30	True freedom is not having or needing a car. When I bicycle to and from work I get my own bike lane and never have to wait for the toons of cars backed up at rush hour. I never have to stop to get gas or an oil change. Oh, I do have to carry a spare tube in case I get a flat. No insurnace, no registration, no deprciation , real freedom. I will also never lose control and run over someone. It's very safe for everyone. I don't even make pollution or us imported oil, we'll maybe olive oil on my pizza when I refuel. You can always rent or borrow a vehicle if you need one a few times a year. Share a car systems are also good freedom.
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