This item falls into the category of “do no harm.” When you do consume, consume wisely in a way that’s least harmful to the planet. Sometimes that will mean choosing the energy-efficient model even if it doesn’t have the bells and whistles. Other times, you need to take a minute to stop what is currently a minor problem from becoming a bigger problem.
(8) DO NO HARM
I do give myself credit for massively reducing my use of paper by reading virtually everything online or on eBooks. I continue to contact all charities, cultural organizations, and catalog companies by phone whenever they mail me something to ask them to stop, permanentlyI also long ago replaced my cable box with a more efficient model (free exchange) and waited till wide-screen TVs were available in LED models. Ditto my frig when it died. Those are all fine but I need to be more cautious about water use beyond buying new toilets. I grimace at the idea of “Navy showers” but that would be something that seems small but makes a difference in the aggregate.
The goal of all of these steps is to prevent harm by not causing it in the first place. If I don’t allow paper to enter my home, I don’t have to dispose of it. If I use energy efficient devices, I’m not using as much energy. If I use less fresh water for cleaning, there’s more left for people who need to drink water.
Because I live in a co-op, the decision as to who to use as our energy supplier is made by the building. In NYC, if you can control your source, you can pick suppliers who use solar or wind power rather than fossil fuel. Even if the way they do that is by buying that power elsewhere, those purchases fund the long-term development of renewable energy by whoever they buy from. Check out your local options
Suggestions and comments all appreciated.
Abycats' Thoughts 