There's lots of exciting Planet firsts and other things this time so let's jump right in...
Follow ups [next item]
Rotoract's Earth Day
I received word from Melanie and Kelly at Rotoract that the Earth Day Recycle-a-thon went splendidly! They raised over $250 and made a good dent in filling the Do Your Part truck to boot. They received some garden tools, too, and as promised any profits are going to the Terrace Anti-Poverty Society Community Garden fund. YAY Rotoract!
In the news
So after the news coverage Planet Terrace received, I want to say this: WOW! Such amazing feedback and encouragement! It was great to see you all getting into the discussion. I was also contacted by a few people who had some pretty interesting and useful information to share, which I hope to get more into next post. But it was pretty great to hear from all the vocal, visible and not so visible supporters out there. Keep fighting the good fight, friends!
Feedback [next item]
Following from that, if anyone didn't get a chance to read the comments from the last post, there was some good feedback from people wanting to support and indicate their own special areas of interest. A call for items that residents can act on to get themselves into the carbon reducing swing of things was heard loud and clear, and prompts this post's feature: The Planet Terrace Challenge. Also good comments about people's frustrations and feelings on the City's lack of recycling was part of the discussion. As well as some generally enlightening and encouraging 'soap-boxing' (not really, just friendly enthusiasm). Be sure and check out the post. Also, note that if you'd like to comment on any of the posted comments or past posts, there's no expiry date on that. You're welcome (and encouraged!) to continue a discussion started in an earlier post if you feel the urge.
The PT Challenge [next item]
Right, well. Let's get right down to it. What immediate steps could you take to start making a difference?
We have suggested a couple of things so far: carbon offsets, walking/biking instead of driving (see our poll round up for some exciting results on that one!), recycling, recycling and more recycling, and a slightly vague promotion of CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs). Well, if that doesn't get you moving, I've decided to take the more direct route. I've created the very first Planet Terrace Challenge!
The Challenge is basically a to-do list. Something to remind you of a few small things you can do to put some more items in the minus column of your carbon diet. I've created it in JPG format for easy download and viewing. Please only print it if you need to (lay out six of them to a page if you can) and pass it on (by email or print) to a friend or two who might like the info!
download the PT Challenge
When the jpg opens in a new window, right click (or control click for Mac users) and choose 'Save image as..' from the pop up window. Put it on your desktop or screensaver (maybe?) and away you go!
This Challenge includes a couple of hot water-related items, so here are some hot water factoids for you to ponder:
- the average shower uses approximately 44 litres of hot water
- hot water heating is the third largest energy expense in most households
- showers, when taken efficiently, use less water than baths
- a dripping faucet or shower head can waste 40 litres of water a day. If that happens to be hot water, you're throwing away even more money through the heating process in the bargain.
Business Challenge
The Business Challenge is more of an idea than an action item right now. A friend of mine and I were talking a few weeks ago and we thought it would be a great idea to try to get local businesses on board for carbon reductions. I'm trying to imagine a way that Planet Terrace could issue a 'Green Business' recognition or award to local businesses who commit to and account for their carbon reductions. I would love to hear thoughts and feedback on this idea. I think it will take some thinking to make it an 'official' recognition, but I think it's doable and I think our businesses can be leaders in fighting climate change. In fact, I think if we can get enough businesses committed to it, we might even start to get the attention of and action from more of the Council members.
Please submit your comments on this idea. I'd love to hear from local business owners, too. Small and large!
Challenge, Jr.
We did not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrowed it from our children. — Chief Seattle, Squamish tribe leaderThis quote was the reason I started thinking hard about climate change several years ago. If we think about our general attitude of 'entitlement' to the planet and the damage we've done to it in this context, what becomes clear is that when we damage the Earth we damage our children's future. With that in mind, Challenge Jr. is an idea I want to pursue to get more young people and students involved in taking action on global warming. This idea is still a bit fuzzy, though, I'll admit. I'd like to have young people guest edit the blog on a regular basis and invite their friends to participate and be part of generating ideas and discussion. This kind of thing could (and should) be open to kids of all ages, as they are the ones who will have to live here when we're done! So please, encourage your children and students to check out the blog and brainstorm ways to participate. Also, please offer any suggestions you might have for how the Challenge, Jr. might come together.
PT Giveaway! [next item]
Yep, you read that right... we've got our very first Planet Terrace Giveaway!
I was the fortunate recipient of a couple of donated flash drives this week, offered as second hand recyclables. They're 128MB Kingston Data Travelers and they're in good condition. They're going free to the first and second people to submit comments in the way of some helpful suggestions on one of our topics. Just use the keyword: CHALLENGE in your post and you're in to win! So if you've got a need for some data storage or transport and want a handy USB helper, get in the discussion!
Poll round up [next item]
As mentioned above, this week's poll is more of a Challenge Check-in. We're going to use the poll to help you report on what action you're taking and how many people in Terrace are doing their part. Simply select and 'submit' an item in the poll to record your action. Each time you complete or commit to one, you submit the item to the poll. 'View results' will let you see how many Terracites are on the ball. So... the more people you can share the Challenge with, the more we'll be able to see Terrace making a positive impact on our climate.
Our last poll results are as follows:
Will you go for a walk or bike ride instead of driving somewhere this week?HOLY COW, Terrace!! That's great! Especially now that we've got some sun and it's easier to get out there. But 83% of you decided to get on that bike or into your trainers and get out there. I'm pretty sure I saw some of you out there (you have that look about you, you know) as I was madly biking around. Please feel free to stop me and say hi if you catch me out and about. And way to go! Keep up the good work!
83% — Yes, I'm inspired and there's a fitness bonus. I'll try to do it regularly.
8% — Yes, I'll give it a try, but I'm not promising anything.
0% — No, it's too hard.
8% — No, but only because I'm not physically capable.
Summary: 12 votes
Homework
Three words: Planet Terrace Challange!
'Nough said.
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The Cooler Planet Equation:
Footprint – ANYTHING (+ nothing) = cooler planet
I'm hoping to report in on Business Challenge ideas and implementations next time. Plus some new hot tips and factoids! Be there or be uncomfortably warmer...
Anybody who has suggestions or has found interesting/innovative solutions for themselves, please share!
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