Good for Earth

Lawn Reel Mower

2007-06-05T07:50:00.000-04:00

I recently decided to purchase a push-mower. One of those old-fashioned mowers that you push and the blades spin to cut the grass. I bought it at Lowes for about $80 (only model available). It felt great to push the mower. It makes very little noise pollution, so the neighbors were not annoyed. It makes no air pollution (no engine = no pollution). It gives me a good exercise workout. All good things!

It worked well in the first week or so, but in the third week it broke! I'm very disappointed. Well, the reel-mower didn't cut the grass too well, but it at least got the job done. Even though the reel-mower has a 2-year warranty, the neighbors were starting to give me funny looks due to the tall grass on my lawn. The grass grew to maybe 1 foot tall. So, I very reluctantly plunked down $139 and bought the cheapest gas-powered lawn mower. Wow! It cuts the grass so quickly and cleanly. I hate the noise and air pollution.

I guess you could chalk this adventure up as a loss. I tried to do something good for the environment, but it just wasn't very practical. I'm disappointed by the need ot use a gas motor, but at least I only use it for a few minutes every other weekend.

green diapers

2007-05-01T09:42:00.000-04:00

As a parent of a young child, changing diapers is a frequent chore. Those diapers accumulate over time, and I'm sure they are not good for the environment. Well, I just came across the idea of gDiapers. I learned of gDiapers by reading ShelTerrific's post about how she's been using gDiapers. It sounds like an idea I'd like to try. I just might go out and buy a pack of gDiapers and see how things go.

Let there be light! and save money too!

2007-05-01T09:21:00.000-04:00

I've spent that past week or so replacing most of my home's light bulbs. The old fashioned light bulbs would burnout after a year or so, and they used quite a bit of power. I've started switching over to use Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs. They last longer, and use much less electricity! So it's helping save the environment, and it saves me money. I like both effects :)
So far, I've replaced about 90% of my home's bulbs. I'd like to replace 100%, but I'll need to see if they make CFL's in funny shapes (like the bulbs used in the chandelier in my dining room).

My advice: switch to CFL bulbs. Save money! Oh, and you'll also help reduce power usage, thus reducing your impact on the environment.

Investment Index

2007-04-24T12:05:00.000-04:00

This content has been copied from their web site because it summarizes their purpose and direction:

KLD’s Domini 400 Social^SM Index (DS400) is a float-adjusted market capitalization weighted common stock index modeled on the S&P 500^® Index. The DS400 is the first benchmark for equity portfolios subject to multiple social screens. It is a widely recognized benchmark for measuring the impact of social screening on financial returns and the performance of socially screened portfolios.

http://www.kld.com/indexes/ds400index/index.html

Green Investment Firm

2007-04-24T12:03:00.000-04:00

Green Century is an mutual fund firm that invests in environmentally-ware investments. It's a good way to invest your retirement ( 401k, 503b, Roth, IRA) and your long-term investments.

http://www.greencentury.com/about/

Electric Cars

2007-04-24T11:55:00.000-04:00

The company Zero-Air-Polition, also known as Zap, specializes in creating electric powered cars. Currently, the available models do not sound appropriate for highway driving, but are perfect for city driving. Once they have fast version (upto 65 mph), I plan on buying a Zap car!

http://www.zapworld.com/

New homes being built in an earth-friendly manner

2007-04-24T09:16:00.000-04:00

Well, I recently bought my first house, and am in the process of upgrading and enhancing it to be better for both my family and for the environment. However, if I were in the market to buy a new house, then I'd probably consider visiting Michelle Kaufmann Designs. They are a home-designing firm that focuses on building earth-friendly homes.

I must admit that I do not like the styles of their homes, but I very much agree with their goal of building an earth-friendly home. If they made an earth-friendly home in the style of a 3-bedroom Dutch Colonial, then I'd be calling them for more information and pricing!

Earth Day 2007

2007-04-22T22:22:00.000-04:00

Today is Earth Day, in the year 2007. It has inspired me to change things around me to benefit the Earth. This blog will help me document my "green process", and hopefully encourage me to further "green" my life.

Please add a comment to cheer me on to a more green life-style. Please add a comment with suggestions or ideas on how I can become more green!