I was reading Daniel’s blog the other day about World Environment Day. To be honest, like Breast Cancer Day, Red Nose Day, Talk Like A Pirate Day*, and a myriad of other “days”, it passed me by without a second thought. Though the tips in Daniel’s blog made me laugh and groan a bit.

I’ve always hated the preachy “you should be living like this OR YOU ARE OFFICIALY EVIL INCARNATE” tips for being a better human being and saving the planet.

Turn down the heat - reducing the thermostat by 1 degree can save 5 - 10% of energy

Um, no. I don’t have central heating. I have an old gas wall heater that I keep at 3.5 with the fan set to low. On a cold weekend, I will turn this on at early in the afternoon (usually at the point where I am quite literally blue from the cold) and it will not be turned off until whatever time I choose to go to bed. However, if I had central heating, it would be at 25 degrees. I am cold blooded. I have bad circulation and I got very sick about 15 years ago that caused me to become very sensitive to cold. I manage this the best way I can - which means leaving the heater on at a comfortable temperature at least at home. Meanwhile I still wear jeans, skivvies, jumpers AND wrap myself up in a doona when I sit still for longer than 10 minutes.

Switch off lights, TVs, computers, microwaves and other electrical appliances when not in use

I’m a computer junky. This thing doesn’t get switched off. However I am pretty good about the lights and other appliances. TVs I keep on for background noise, really.

Unplug equipment once fully charged eg mobile phones, shavers and electric toothbrushes

Yes. I do this.

Switch to GreenPower

We signed up for Greenpower a little while back. I’m not sure if it’s working.

Use energy saving light bulbs

Dude, I am NOT spending $15 for a lightbulb. Especially not when my house has a wiring problem and constantly blows lightbulbs in various rooms. However we haven’t replaces any of the lightglobes in the kitchen, bedroom or either hallway for almost 12 months. That makes up for it.

Install water saving shower heads and/or take shorter showers

I have 10 minute showers. This will not change. EVER. Though I do have a watersaver showerhead that has a pretty good flow. I also do not water my garden. EVER. More details further on.

Use washing machines and dishwashers only when you have a full load

Naturally. I’ve got a big toploader that uses a lot of water, however on a busy weekend, I’ll do maybe three full loads of washing per week. Four if I’m doing bedding too.

Dry your washing outdoors & only use the dryer when absolutely necessary
Unforunately I’m one of those dryer people - mostly because my washing line is broken and I can’t beat a path through my jungle backyard to FIND the damned thing anyway. Plus, seriously, I hate it when my clothes fade. Though we do compromise, only socks and jocks and towels go onto the dryer, the other stuff is hung on coathangers around the house until dry where they can then be tucked away into the cupboard (I also don’t have to iron anything if I do this).

Think Before You Print - only print what you ABSOLUTELY need to & always collect what you print

We’ve got a good-ish system at work. There’s no need to print most things at all.

Aim for “zero” plastic shopping bag usage - take your own, say “no thanks” when buying one off or smaller items

I honestly try to remember to bring my bags. I might twice out of ten times. The bags are handy for me though. My cats spew with monotonous regularity. They (the plastic bags) hold the smell and the mess.

Reduce waste

Eh, if everything didn’t have so much bloody packaging, there wouldn’t be a problem!

Consume local, organic, seasonal food

No. Too expensive.

Eat less meat

Two words: Fuck. Off.

Avoid processed foods

This I do actually do for the most part. With the manbeast cooking, we really don’t buy anything that comes in containers that we eat out of.

Buy products in bulk and with minimal packaging

Occasionally do but we have a storage problem in this house, meaning - we actually have NO storage.

Buy products made from recycled materials eg toilet paper

Sorry. I love my aloe vera tissues.

Recycle EVERYTHING you can

We do this as much as we can, considering our recycle bin is HUGE and our rubbish bin is weeny.

Mulch and compost as much as possible and/or consider getting a worm farm

No need.

Store leftover food in the refrigerator in bowls covered with a saucer or a small plate, rather than plastic wrap

AhHAH! Here’s where I win one. We use specially bought lids for just this purpose. They go over bowls, pots, plates, etc.

Start collecting corks & drop off to collection points for recycling eg Dan Murphys, the Body Shop & Girl Guides

Seriously, this one made me laugh. If you’ve ever got enough corks to make a profit, you’re drinking waaaaaaaaaay too much.

Place a ‘NO ADVERTISING MATERIAL’ notice on your letter box.

I know I should do this.

Give old clothes, toys, furniture and appliances to charity.

Freecycle EVERYTHING.

Repair clothing, appliances and toys, rather than buy new ones

I disagree with trying to repair appliances. It should never be done by the average Joe Blogs.

1. It’s dangerous.
2. It’s dangerous.
3. It often costs more to get something repaired than to simply buy a new one.
4. It’s DANGEROUS.

Reduce your car usage by sharing journeys, walking and cycling more or catching public transport

I take the train every fucking day. Shut up.

Avoid short car trips

I’m terrible, I will drive to my mother’s house. It’s a seven minute walk away. However I tend to visit my mum at night and I refuse to walk home in the dark. My suburb has hardly any street lighting over a 20 watt bulb from waaaaay up high every 200 metres or so. Not good. Especially with the ratbag kids and hoons that seem to be flocking to the area these days.

Plant native and drought-tolerant plants

Done. And here’s what shits me. We live in AUSTRALIA. It’s dry and hot here. We are not a ferny country. We are not an English Cottage Garden country. If my garden cannot survive in my yard without my watering it every morning and night, it shouldn’t be there. I think it should be a crime for any house to have such a garden in this country. We’ve been in this house for seven years. We’ve not watered the garden once. The obvious things have died away but we’ve still got a jungle. I rest my case.

*I do try to remember TLAP Day. It’s fun.