Today is blog action day. Thousands of bloggers from around the world have picked today to get together for a common cause: the environment. I promise not to get too preachy, but the environment is a topic near and dear to my heart. I was taught from a very early age to recycle, to pick up after myself, and to look out for the environment. While it’s second nature to many of us, some still need a bit of reminding.
I know it can be somewhat inconvenient to consider the environment every time we make a move, but I promise my suggestions are painless and my ideas are simple ones. Here are a few easy things we writers and bloggers can do to have a positive impact on the environment.
Eliminate the Hard Copy – In the mid to late 80′s when many businesses were stating to make the switch to being totally computerized, we used to talk a lot of the paperless office. I waited for it to happen, but it never did. In fact, it seemed to me we wasted more paper using a computer than with typewriters. I know so many writers who like to print out a hard copy to proof their work. This is a wasteful practice. Eliminate the hardcopy, save a tree.
Recycle – I’m not talking about cans and bottles, though you should recycle those too. Did you know your cell phones, batteries, toner cartridges, computers and other items can be recycled? Don’t toss this stuff in the trash to become landfill, instead recycle.
Conserve water – Take shorter showers and don’t leave the water running while you brush your teeth.
Put chemicals out on hazardous waste day – Please don’t pour them down the drain or in the garbage.
Invest in a couple of sturdy shopping bags – Use these instead of paper or plastic shopping bags.
I’m not asking you to go all hardcore and live off the grid, though if there was a way my family could do this, we would in a heartbeat. I’m only asking that before you throw something out, before you print out a sheet of paper, before you use a chemical, before you turn on your lawn sprinklers, please ask yourself what impact you’ll have on the environment.
Thanks for indulging me.
Great tips and I’m happy to see that you’ve posted on this–I have too with a recommendation for a great organic shopping bag
I have a “green” blog myself, so I’m thrilled with today’s Blog Actio Day topic.
I agree with Deb about eliminating hard copies when you can. I have another suggestion for those of us who are writers. I can’t proofread from a screen. I need to print out hard copies to proof from – sometimes several hard copies before I finish a piece.
I keep a bin of papers that only have one side used – print outs of things I’ve made, the announcements that come home from school, things that come in the mail, even my kid’s graded homework worksheets.
I use them to print out what I need to proofread and after I proofread, I put them in the recycle bin. That way, I’m only using paper that was going to be recycled anyway to proof from, but I’m resuing it before I recycle.
Reduce, reuse, recycle!
I agree with all the tips–except the hard copy one! Many writers *need* that hard copy… proofing from the screen creates eyestrain and things just look *different* on paper. I would say try to keep hard copies down to one final version, only–no need to print multiple copies.
I like Robin’s tip, however, for those who can’t get away from hard copy proofing–I do the same thing. (It also saves money).
Sometimes just changing the font on the screen can help you view your work with “new eyes” and catch mistakes you may not otherwise see. I know when I see my magazine all laid out as a PDF, in a different font, I catch things I didn’t catch in Word.
In all, great blog, Deb!!
Dawn
I blogged on this topic today, too, offering a few tips for making road trips more eco-friendly.
We just picked up our fourth (!) recycling bin from the county last week. We fill them, too.
Cutting back on how much meat you eat is one way to help reduce the amount of methane in the environment. Methane has a warming effect far greater than carbon dioxide. Animal agriculture has more than doubled in the last 60 years, largely due to fast food.
You have some good points, but if I try to proof on-screen and then go back and proof on paper I always find mistakes I missed on-screen.
I try to only print the final version and also I try to make PDFs of info online instead of printing.
I’m also guilty of proofreading on paper. However, like Robin, I also keep a “used” paper bin for reuse, not only for me and for my 2 preschoolers who just love to draw. In addition,I print using the fast print option only so as not to use too much ink and use the 2-in-one page printing option. I buy only recycled, chlorine-free paper.
Aside from paper, energy saving is also important. There are lots of ways to save energy like turning off the lights and the computer monitor and printer when not in use, unplugging your phone charger even when not charging, etc.
Finally, radiators and/or aircon plus the tumble dryer are the main energy consumers in your house. Take it easy on these appliances!
These are excellent tips. I have often wondered with aluminum cans and plastic having to be rinsed and cleaned. We must use more water then. Somewhat of a catch-22. I’m all for being “green” though.
Great topic and great tips! I too grew up in a family where we were very careful to conserve and protect. I must admit that after moving to Texas (from San Diego) I am not as careful. You do not see the concern for recycling or conservation here. The elementary school just started a recycling program so thanks for the reminder and I’ll give it a try! And I agree to always print on both sides of the paper when you can.
Micah, you can use “washing up water” – to rinse cans and plastic cups and even water your plants. That way, you don’t waste extra water.
There’s too much going on in the letter which could lead to confusion.
If it needs to be addressed to an editor but you don’t know his or her name, then I would put Dear Editor.
You are overusing the letter I, and personal statements about yourself relating to your family life. If you are applying for a writing gig geared towards parenting, you could say… As a published mother in print, and online media… etc., etc.
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