Recent Green Living Posts
|
By Steve Rypka on January 26th, 2012
My previous Green Living column focused on the benefits of recycling and the transition to an enhanced single-stream system that dramatically increases participation and reduces waste. Perhaps this is a good time to look closer at what that really means.
When we recycle we save energy, improve air and water quality and reduce our need for raw materials. We could rebuild our entire commercial air fleet with just three months’ worth of the aluminum …(more)
Continue reading Consider the Lowly Carpet
By Steve Rypka on January 12th, 2012
I am so excited! Finally, after what seems like an eternity, my community (Sun City Anthem in Henderson) will have an opportunity to participate in a new program that really makes a difference. Every homeowner in our area will benefit and the results promise to be spectacular. It will make lives easier, improve the community and help strengthen our country. It won’t add a dime to the monthly budget. I’m talking about Republic Services’ …(more)
Continue reading Recycling for Freedom
By Steve Rypka on October 6th, 2011
Most of us use a computer these days and, like everything technical, they evolve. They also tend to get slower over time. Eventually, it’s time to upgrade. If you are savvy, your old PC will be responsibly recycled. The Blind Center of Nevada has a fantastic program to handle that. It is part of the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reducing and reusing products take priority over recycling though, since they have the …(more)
Continue reading Computers and Humanity to Others
By Steve Rypka on July 1st, 2010
 One thing that distinguishes human beings from other species, according to human beings anyway, is our use of tools. There are a few other animals that use primitive tools but they are quite limited in number and scope. We, on the other hand, are so damn smart! Not only did we invent shovels, we used them to dig up stuff that could power the shovels so we didn’t have to hurt our feet anymore. We found fossil fuels and ushered in the Age of Oil.
Continue reading Our Tragic, Plastic World.
By Steve Rypka on December 17th, 2009
 Children will benefit most from the lessons we learn now. 2009 has been a year of learning. With economic challenges at every turn, many have been forced to do more with less. People have downsized, minimized, economized and localized. In a sense it could be considered a sort of natural correction. As we move forward into the New Year we should not forget these important lessons.
For example, average home size has been growing for decades. Now there is a greater appreciation of the “smaller is better” concept. Homes that provide for our needs without being lavish or oversized make a lot of sense, not just for the occupants but for all of society. It’s much easier and less expensive to make a small, efficient home completely energy independent. I can’t count the number of people that have complained to me about high energy costs but who fail to make the connection to the size and efficiency of their home.
Continue reading Lessons Learned.
By Steve Rypka on March 12th, 2009
I doubt there’s anyone who has not been affected in some way by the current economic crisis. This is a big deal – a game changer of major proportion. Things are tight and getting tighter, causing many of us to reexamine our lives and our assumptions about what we’ve so often taken for granted.
I’ve heard there has been an upswing in the use of public libraries. This makes perfect sense, since a local …(more)
Continue reading Read a Book, Kill A Watt
By Steve Rypka on December 25th, 2008
 It’s that time of year again. Whether you celebrate the Solstice or Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, or even Festivus, may you and your loved ones experience much joy, happiness and good health. We’ve turned the corner in our annual journey around the Sun; our days are again growing longer. The New Year offers promise and a lot to look forward to.
I think 2009 will be a major turning point in many ways. With a new president and a new direction, green living will most assuredly play a major role as our government finally gets serious about the issues of climate change, renewable energy and the environment.
Economic challenges are causing many to focus on priorities. There is a new emphasis on conservation. One benefit has been lower prices at the gas pump. Let’s not make the same mistake again by assuming it will stay that way. As we continue to conserve, we will be reducing our need for foreign oil, stemming the flow of U.S. dollars abroad and saving money at the same time.
Continue reading Time to Reflect.
|
|
Recent Comments