Lenten Carbon Fast

Day 13: What you can do today Find out who your elected representatives are and tell them what you're doing through the Carbon Fast. Urge them to create and implement strong national and international laws to stop climate chaos. Find out what energy saving or climate change activities are going on in your local area by contacting local community groups.  350.org has 111 local chapters in 54 countries: http://local.350.org/. The Sierra Club has local chapters across the country:http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/.

Lenten Carbon Fast

Day 12: What you can do today Save energy in the kitchen. Cook food in a microwave, which uses 50-70% less energy than a conventional oven. When you need to cook in a pan on the stove, use a lid to preserve heat, which will also cook your food faster. Cook double portions and freeze what you don't eat.

Lenten Carbon Fast

Day 11: What you can do today Only use your washing machine when you have a full load, and run it on cold whenever possible. Run at maximum spin to reduce drying times and avoid using a tumble dryer, opting instead for a clothesline. A typical washing machine uses 90% of its energy to heat the water. Generally, cold water gets your clothes just as clean and saves about 2 pounds of CO2 per load.

Lenten Carbon Fast

Day 10: What you can do today Dry your clothes on a clothesline instead of in an electric or gas dryer.  Electric dryers use up to 10% of residential electricity in the United States.  The average household can save more than $100 a year by foregoing the electric clothes dryer and using a clothesline.  A recent study by Cambridge University's Institute of Manufacturing found that 60% of the energy associated with a piece of clothing is spent in washing and drying it.  Over its lifetime, a T shirt can send up to 9 lbs. of carbon dioxide into the air.  Read more.  (If you must use a dryer, consider installing a diverter valve to the vent so that during winter, the hot air exhaust can be used to help heat and humidify the house.)

Lenten Carbon Fast

Day 9: What you can do today Fireplaces - we love them and we want to use them.  However, as Grist's "Ask Umbra" says, "the fireplace accounts for 14 percent of air lost out of a home - more than the windows.  So before we get all excited about window glazing, it pays to stop up the chimney.  At the very minimum, close the damper when you're not using the fireplace.  If you know for sure you will not use it for an extended period, plug and seal the flue... and put a note on the fireplace, so that no guest or forgetful resident lights a fire in the plugged chimney."  See: http://grist.org/climate-energy/beating-the-draft/    For more information, seehttp://www.lowimpactliving.com/blog/2007/10/10/get-cozy-guide-to-eco-smart-fireplace-fires/ and http://www.alternativeenergyprimer.com/Environmental-effects-of-wood-burning.html   For a useful guide for home energy saving, see the U.S. Dept. of Energy 2009 booklet: http://grist.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/energy_savers.pdf

Lenten Carbon Fast

Day 8: What you can do today Your hot water heater represents about 20-30% of the carbon emissions of your home, the biggest user of energy in your house. Consider setting your hot water thermostat to 120°F. Insulate your hot water tank with an insulation jacket if available for your system. Arrange for your boiler to be serviced so it runs more efficiently. If your boiler needs to be replaced, learn all you can about energy efficiency. A great resource: http://www.house-energy.com/

Lenten Carbon Fast

Day 7: What you can do today Ask your electricity and gas suppliers if they have a green or renewable energy plan such as that offered by NSTAR Green or by Veridian.   Make the switch to a green plan today. Bonus: Switch to an energy company that supplies 1002 percent renewables such as Good Energy.