Final Blog

It is difficult to say what kind of mind I have. I don't really like to classify myself. I consider my mind to be a mixture of things. However, I would say that my mind falls under the qualifications of a synthesizing mind. I am always the one to explain concepts to my friends. Just last period, I had to explain the connection between the Ku Klux Klan and the New Palestine Dragons. In this blog, I was able to read other articles, pick out the information that would most relate to my "big question", and use only what I needed.

I exhibit curiosity mostly when I feel that information given to me is incorrect or skewed. I also like to find new information that relates to my interests. I was able to do that in this blog because I got to pick the topic and research it myself. I like to challenge my own beliefs. Sometimes I would go back through and read things and wonder if it was a good decision to put that on there. I like to write not only something that I find interesting, but something that might catch the eye of other's. It is no good writing something for a cause if no one is going to be interested in it.

The thing that surprised me most was that I did not mind writing on the computer. I usually feel that the quality of my writing is taken away when I type it rather than write it out, but I found that that was not the case this time. I was able to use engaging tactics even on the computer, although I still prefer the old fashioned pen to paper.

Another way to get involved in going green is to push for more engineering in this way. Scientists are desperately trying to find new energy sources, seeing as how we are running out of the what we have. Some interesting facts about new energy sources and the negative side effects of the energy we use now:

1. 1% of Australia's untapped geothermal energy could power the planet for 26,000 years.
2. 1% of people in China 560 million city residents breathe air that it considered safe by the
United Nations.
3. Less than 1% of the world's fresh water is available for humans.
4. Everyday the US creates trash with a weight equivalent to that of the Empire State
building.
5. 20 to 50 million metric tons of electronic waste is produced every year.

These are just a few facts foreshadowing the future that we are currently creating. But, if we reverse our greedy, indulging ways today, we may be able to make tomorrow happier for people all around the world.

A fun way to get an idea of how much you effect the world around you. Everyone's consumption and greed contributes to the destruction of our planet, some of us more than others. Take this quiz to see how many planets it would take to support your lifestyle if everyone lived like you. I was amazed to see that it would take 4 3/4 planets if everyone lived like me. It makes you think of how much you are using, and how you may be depriving future generations of the valuable resources we over-indulge in now. A reality check may be the cheapest way to start going green.

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/personal_footprint/

Recycled Cell Phones

As often as Americans get new cell phones, we might as well try going green with them. Nokia has created a new cell phone made from (almost) all recycled materials. The outside is made from recycled aluminum, the glass is made from recycled bottles, and the rubber on the hinge comes from recycled tires. The insides are not made from recycled materials, but are from previous phones. The company is also reducing the packaging it uses when shipping phones, saving 150 million euros a year.

One thing that ranks high on most women's lists are clothes. We want cute tops for low prices. While some "green" clothing is expensive, just as some "non-green" clothing is, it is possible to get a good price on some good-for-the-environment labels. This shirt is only $36, a comparable price to a shirt you might find at Kohl's. Your options for green clothing are not limited to women's t-shirts. Men and children also have options, including pants and shoes. Dresses come in "green", and so do bags. All it takes is a little shopping, and you can have eco friendly clothing just as quickly as normal clothing.

Here are some gas saving tips, because filling up at the gas station is like pulling teeth. You don't want to, but you have to. So, if you can save money even in a gas guzzler, it's always a good day.

1. Don't start and stop your car needlessly. Idling for one minute uses the same amount of gas as restarting your engine.
2. Accelerate slowly when starting from a dead stop.
3. Buy during the coolest time of the day. Gasoline is denser when it's cool, and gas pumps measure by volume, not density. Get more bang for you buck!
4. Never fill the gas tank higher than the first "click" of the pump. After that, it can slosh out and be lost anyways.
5. Go the speed limit. Not only is it safer, but it's cheaper to. Going 50 mph gives you 21% better mileage than going 65 or 70 mph.
6. Keep your windows up on the highway. They cause wind drag, losing you 10% efficiency.
7. When you will be stopped for a long time (i.e railroad crossings, long stop lights), put your AUTOMATIC car into neutral, allowing the transmission to cool.
8. Remove excess weight from trunk and inside car.
9. Accelerate before a hill, not while your on it.
10. Manual shift allows you to shift into highest gear as soon as possible. This saves you money.

Find more advice at:
http://www.howtoadvice.com/savinggas

What good is trying to start a green revolution if no one is going to participate? And the best way to get people to participate in a cause during today's age of lay-offs, cut backs, and overall economic downturn, is to tell them they'll save money. At first, some green techniques seem expensive, and replacing something that works just fine seems a little crazy. However, in the long run, changing to greener cars, appliances, and even light bulbs is gonna save money in other aspects of life. And, Americans have always been multi-taskers in war, work, and other departments, so it only makes sense that they would want to save money and save the world all at the same time. People will only be open to drastically changing their lifestyles if it is for the better. Otherwise, "no thanks" is the response. So the job of green thinkers and tree huggers today is to convince the rest of society that going green is not just for hippies and free thinkers. It is for everyone, because the world and the economy belong to everyone.