Does It Really Make A Difference ???? (Energy) Conservation

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

Just returned from a family vacation and I guess I am out of contact with the real world, as my grown daughters often remind me. The waste of energy really gets to me. Watering lawns in the day, lights and air conditioning on all the times, etc...you know what I mean. Most of us Countryside readers try to cut back and conserve not only to help with our cost of services but the help our planet and each other. Then when everyone else seems just not too care it makes you wonder if what you are doing really makes any difference. I know it does some how...but pretty frustrating at times. Anyone else have anything to say about this ??

-- Helena Di Maio (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), August 08, 2001

Answers

Response to Does It Really Make A Difference ????

I totally agree with you on this. I hate to see people wasting things particularly water. I guess that comes because I have been on well water in most of the places I have lived and know what happens when you run out. But I also look at the saving energy thing as a kind of challenge for myself. I get a kick out of finding new ways to save energy and, of course, save money as well. I just feel it is the right thing to do and don't worry about what others are doing unless I get an opportunity to educate them through chance. The way I look at it, the more efficient I get at saving natural resources, the better off I am going to be when we start running out of them or their prices skyrocket. I will already have systems in place and won't get gouged on price if I suddenly decide to get energy efficient at the same time everyone else is because resources are suddenly a problem so the suppliers of energy savers such as insulation jack up their prices to get all they can out of the buyers. I figure I am just that much ahead of the game. But I also recognize that sometimes there are good reasons for consuming more then we should such as using air conditioning a little more for someone who is ill or has trouble regulating their body temperature. I also use lights a little more than the average person because I have a vision problems that makes it very difficult for me to see in darkness so I have to have lights on to get around easily. But I compensate by conserving more on those areas that I can. My philosophy is that I can only control me, not what everyone else does, and if I do the most that I can, I am satisfied with that. The universe/God will take care of everyone else.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), August 08, 2001.

Response to Does It Really Make A Difference ????

I share your frustration! But we have to realize we are only responsible for what we do in our lives so we must do all that we can!

Every little bit of electricity or water I save is that much that is not wasted! Every animal I care for lovingly is one that is living his or her life to the fullest!

But it is frustrating! It's just like with local and state politics. I have to write about them and all I can do is write the truth about all the crooked things and injustices that are going on. I can only do my part and hope that someone is listening....

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), August 08, 2001.


Response to Does It Really Make A Difference ????

I think it depends how you are raised. We are a split family as I find it a challenge to conserve energy but my husband does not. So we compromise.....

-- Lynn (johnnypfc@yahoo.com), August 08, 2001.

Response to Does It Really Make A Difference ????

Oh, bless you, Helena, you DO make a difference! Each one of us DOES make a difference - I'm convinced of it. You may not see the results, but there ARE results. Sort of like throwing a pebble into a pond...such a tiny thing, but look at the ripples it creates, and we never know where the "ripples" will end up.

I've read a story long ago (hope I get it right) about someone on the beach watching an old man walking along the edge of the water throwing starfish that had washed up onto the beach back into the ocean so they would survive. There were hundreds and hundreds of starfish, and the guy who was watching walked up to the old man and said, "Why do you waste your energy? It won't make any difference". And the old man picked up another starfish, threw it into the ocean, and said, "Made a difference to THAT one, didn't it?"

I believe every little thing we do that upholds our standards, ethics, morals, and integrity DOES make a difference - whether we see it right away or not.

Hang in there, Helena!

-- Bonnie (chilton@stateline-isp.com), August 08, 2001.


makes a differance to MY bills

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), August 08, 2001.


Helena, I'm with you. I try like crazy to be thoughtful in these and other issues, then I read about some doo doo brain (owner or high up in a big cable company) who "won'" the award for biggest residential power waster in the Seattle power company area, or right around there. $30,000 per MONTH!

He was quoted as saying "I just don't get it; I always am telling the kids to turn off the light. Everything in the house is controlled by a computer. I just don't get it." (My paraphrase)

Then there's Dick (Head) Cheney. His power bills for his govt paid washington residence has similar power bills.

Quick! Drill more oil wells!

JOJ

-- jumpoff joe (jumpoff@ecoweb.net), August 08, 2001.


Helena,

Ben Frankin said it best: A penny saved is a penny earned.

What you conserve is not taxed, yet.

I loved the starfish story.

We do what we can for our planet, and soon enough others will get the hint - mainly by higher prices.

-- (perry@ofuzzy1.com), August 08, 2001.


Bonnie said it best!!!!!

-- clove (clovis97@Yahoo.com), August 09, 2001.

In the Sacramento CA area, most residents do not even have a water meter. They pay a set amount (usually $15 per month) and theorectically could let the water run 24 hours a day if they so desired. Apparently their is an endless supply of water from mountain run off for the good people of the Sacramento area. Would imagine the same scenario is true in many other places out West.

-- fred (fred@mddc.com), August 09, 2001.

Yea!, Bonnie. You have my vote. We each are a child of the universe, and make ripples in its sea.

-- Sandra Nelson (Magin@starband.net), August 09, 2001.


It makes a difference to me. I lived in Minnesota for twenty plus years and I had to learn to be frugal, otherwise the cost for heat was outrageous. I now live in Virginia. Many people here don't seem to be conservative. I just bought this small farm. I have a 2500 square ft. farm house with no storm doors. There are eight outside doors on this house. Some of the doors you can see daylight. I am feverishly winterize the house. I hate to see all the waste of energy. I was not brought up frugal, but feel much better when I am. Hang in there. You do make a difference.

-- Thomas L. Maddux (Thomas.Maddux@ORM.VA.GOV), August 09, 2001.

We try to conserve as much as possible not only to keep down our cost but so that there will be clean air and water for my grandchildren as well as everyone else's. We live in the midwest where it is hot and humid right now and we have had very little rain this summer. So when I drive to town and see someone running a sprinkler all day and all night it does bother me, but I know that my family and I are trying to make a difference.

-- Barb Stiarwalt (Barb43@counrtlife.net), August 09, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ