There are so many different environmental issues facing us today: global climate chang, air and water pollution, water shortages, overpopulation, depletion of natural resources… the list is seemingly endless. At times, it can seem daunting and overwhelming. The good news is that by altering habits and making some slight changes in the way we live, we can all easily contribute towards the solutions that are so necessary.
As the Bay Area’s Education Station, KCSM feels it is important to be a resource that you can turn to for information and learning in all areas. To further extend our mission into the area of ecology and preservation seems only natural. The intent of these green pages is to provide education and subject matter that can help us all to know best how to help our environment.
James Mason Ball is the Business Operations Manager for KCSM TV and FM. Here he will marry his conviction of environmental stewardship with his passion for the written word, and will be sharing his own personal experience of learning how to live sustainably while navigating an ever challenging course as he goes about his daily life. Go Green With James is his attempt to not only document his endeavors at learning how to tread as lightly as possible on our planet, but to share what he learns along the way with you, so that you too can better know how to live a green life.
This blog is a labor of love for James.
Both James and KCSM are fully committed to improving our community and our world through education and action. We will be bringing to you new and interesting environmental topics and content in these pages, so check back regularly for more tips on how to live more sustainably. Together, we can really make a difference.
SOME EASY CHANGES TO GET YOU STARTED:
♦ALWAYS RECYCLE! Not only does recycling keep waste out of our already overflowing landfills and helps to conserve our natural resources, it also takes less energy to collect and reconstitute recyclable material than it does to mine and produce new raw materials.
♦Change your bulbs. One of the easiest and least expensive changes that you can make is changing your household light bulbs from traditional incandescent to CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights.) CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. And, less energy used equals lower power bills!
♦Wait to do laundry until you have a full load, and then wash using the cold water cycle. A washer takes between 30 to 60 gallons of water per load. You will save energy and water, and even more money.
♦Install low-flush toilets or place a plastic bottle filled with stones in your existing toilet tank. Both will reduce the volume of water stored in the tank and used per flush, but will still be adequate for flushing.
♦Keep your vehicle tuned up, check that your tires are properly inflated and replace your air filter. These minor changes can improve your gas mileage by up to 4%, 10% and 3% respectively.
♦Shop for fruits and vegetables at your local farmers market. By supporting your local growers, you can have a positive impact in many ways. You are keeping your dollars within your own community to help the local economy. Many fruits and vegetables at farmers markets are grown sustainably and/or organically, keeping pesticides and other chemicals out of the soil, air and water supply. The energy used to transport your produce is much lower than produce shipped across the world. And the best part is the taste: absolutely amazing! Most fruits and vegetables available at a farmers market are picked fresh, many times just hours before you purchase it. Also, it’s a great way to interact with your friends and neighbors.
♦Purchase carbon offsets from organizations that invest in clean energy projects. Did you know that PG&E customers can zero out the carbon emissions that their power and natural gas usage creates for just a few more dollars added to your bill each month? Visit PG&E’s ClimateSmart program for more info.
I welcome your feedback, questions and comments. Email me at green@kcsm.net