My environmental mission and action plan

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:35:04 -0500

To act and speak on behalf of future generations regarding the environment that we will leave for them.

The action steps I am currently taking to fulfill this mission are:
• Stop mail catalogues through www.greendimes.com and www.catalogchoice.org
• Participate in curbside recycling of newspaper and glass, aluminum, plastic #s 1&2, cans.
• Take all waste paper, cardboard, paperboard, plastics #s 3-7 to recycling stations.
• Replace power lawn mower with old fashioned push mower.
• Replace mid-size car with compact.
• Buy 100% Green Power from IPL
• Participate in IPL Cool Cents program (cutting peak air conditioning).
• Do all clothes washing in cold water.
• Use eco-friendly (Seventh Generation) dish washing soap & laundry soap.
• Buy annual carbon off-sets from TerraPass.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs.
• Compost all food waste except animal products, plus leaves and grass cuttings.
• Use smart strips that automatically turn off computer and TV peripherals.
• Participate in Low Carbon Diet Workshops.
• Join national environmental organizations / respond to alerts / make financial contributions.
• Participate on working committees of IN environmental organizations: Sierra Club and Earth Charter Indiana.
• Regularly share my Elder Mission For The Environment with family, friends, acquaintances, groups, Our Elders Voice network
• Stop eating mammals.

My commitment is to add a new environmental discipline or action each six months. Those I plan to add include:
• Replace mini-van & compact car with hybrids
• Use bicycle for local errands
• Use only re-chargeable batteries
• Eat more local, organic food.
• Replace appliances with Energy Star appliances
• Install solar and/or geo-thermal energy
• Add insulation wrap to water heater
• Get energy audit of home; complete recommended actions
• Grow some vegetables
• Work for establishment of a local (Beech Grove) recycling site for cardboard and plastics #s 3 - 7.
• Appear at Indianapolis Green Commission / other local boards and commissions to urge adoption and implementation of strong environmental policies
• Communicate my environmental concerns regularly with all my elected representatives
• Write letters to the Editor on environmental issues
• Conduct Green Elder workshops
 

Reclaiming Our Elders Voice

My environmental mission and action plan