Green Industrial Revolution.org

365 Days to a Greener You

Our featured project started Earth Day 2008 and provides a simple tip for things that you can do to "green" up your life for each day of the year. 

Our environment is quickly being destroyed by our daily choices and the time is now to take action.  We want to provide a fun look at saving the planet by adding some humor and reader participation.

We will be adding additional features in the coming months. 

Some things that we are working on are:

• User submitted video and photos
• Additional RSS features
• Widget creation

A Bright Idea--Free CFL Lightbulbs for All

There is a version of an old joke that asks, "How many (insert person here) does it take to screw in a lightbulb?" 

Although some of these jokes are arguably funnier than others, the fact still remains that lightbulbs are everywhere. 

How many lightbulbs do you encounter on a daily basis?  We bet that it is a lot more than you think.  At home, most ceiling fans have four or five, each candelabra has at least eight, your outside lights come mostly in pairs, and most vanities have at least six. 

On the road you have street lights, stop lights, lights for signs and billboards, warning lights and just imagine each little light in your automobile multiplied by the rest of your fellow commuters. 

Given the fact that there are so many lightbulbs out there and that a majority of them are not energy efficient, let's work together to make this "bright" idea work--try to get energy efficient lightbulbs to the masses for free.

 The idea is out there, let's see how we can make this a reality.

Paper or Plastic?

How about neither?  Companies are touting how green they are by offering--for a price--re-usable bags when their non environmental versions are free.  It seems a bit counter productive to sell something that is needed, while giving away a similar product that damages the environment and does not use sustainable materials.

Who would pay for a product, which sometimes costs up to 12 dollars each, when the same product is free?

Obviously plastic bags are designed for single use throw away.  We know what most people are saying now.  "I re-use my plastic bags.  It even has a list of things that I can do with it printed right on the bag."

If you think about it, whatever you are putting inside those bags--probably something to throw away-- you are preserving for future generations.  Picking up Fido's poop or using the bag to throw away the scraps that you took them home in, does little to save the environment.  If you do take home goods in these bags, it is better to save them and bring them back to any grocery store to recycle.  Do not use them as garbage bags.

What needs to happen is for all stores to charge for bags or charge a volume to bag ratio.  Only then will consumers demand better bags to transport their goods home and feel better about bringing their own bags to the stores.

We are currently designing bags that use recycled or sustainable materials either for sale or as promotional materials.  Stay tuned.