FAQ
What is sustainable living?
Sustainable living is a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual’s or society’s use of the Earth’s natural resource and his/her own resources. Practitioners of sustainable living often attempt to reduce their carbon footprint by altering methods of transportation, energy consumption and diet. Proponents of sustainable living aim to conduct their lives in manners that are consistent with sustainability, in natural balance and respectful of humanity’s symbiotic relationship with the Earth’s natural ecology and cycles. The practice and general philosophy of ecological living is highly interrelated with the overall principles of sustainable development.
What is sustainability?
We hear the words ‘sustainable’ and ‘sustainability’ almost every day. But what does it mean exactly? Is it about people and culture, our environment, or jobs and money? Is it about cities or the country? Is it about you and me or is it something for other people to worry about?
Sustainability is about all of these things and more.
Sustainability could be defined as an ability or capacity of something to be maintained or to sustain itself. It’s about taking what we need to live now, without jeopardising the potential for people in the future to meet their needs.
If an activity is said to be sustainable, it should be able to continue forever.
What are 10 Ways I can reduce my Energy Use?
Save power, save money – and the environment
1) Insulate and Ventilate – Properly done, insulation can reduce home heating needs to almost 1/10 of an average residence. Savings are reaped in the summer as well. Use of air conditioners can be avoided or minimized in most regions. Weather stripping and caulking control air leaks, while air exchange keeps your indoor air fresh.
2) High-efficiency appliances – Energy Star appliances consume between two and 10 times less electricity. Initial costs can be up to 15 percent more, but it will come back in energy savings. Most are higher-quality products producing less noise and lasting longer.
3) Fluorescent lighting – Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL). Although initially costing more, CFLs use four times less energy and last an average of eight times longer (about 8,000 hours). Fluorescent tubes last up to 20,000 hours and add further efficiency. Both can be used in dimmable fixtures for a longer lifespan and more comfortable house.
4) Reduce phantom power – When not in use, appliances such as televisions, computers and microwaves are still consuming power. Wasted energy can total almost 25 percent of a home’s electricity bill. Choose appliances with low standby energy consumption. A good range is 0.5 to 1 watt/hour or 4 to 8 kWh/year. A power bar can cut your losses if you switch it off when you’re done on the computer. You can purchase individual switches to cut power when appliances aren’t in use.
5) Reduce home temperature – Lower temperature by one or two degrees, and even more at night and while you’re away to ensure no heat is wasted. Install a programmable thermostat to control the temperature for you.
6) Use water efficiently – A low-flow shower head can cut water consumption in half, which reflects greatly on hot water usage. Insulate electric water heaters and pipes, but not gas water heaters (start with the pipes at six inches away).
7) Change furnace filters – A clean filter will allow the furnace to operate more efficiently. Change it once a month when it’s in use.
Avoid batteries – If using them is a must, choose less harmful rechargeable batteries. Then charge them with power from the sun.
9) Buy locally – The further a product has to travel before it gets to you, the more energy it has consumed along the way.
10) Walk, bike, take the bus – Anything that reduces the amount you drive lowers the amount of gas you use.