Archive for the 'Green Living' Category
Apr
23
(BPT) – Politicians spend a lot of time talking about America-first trade deals. Even though the average person may not think about U.S. trade often, it’s a key part of the economy — a topic that’s on everyone’s mind.In 2017 alone, th…
Apr
17
5 tips to create a personalized shed
April 17, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – The backyard. It’s your oasis. Your happy place. Your second living room. It’s the place to go not only for “me” time — but quality time with friends and family.
This National Barbecue Month, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association wants to help you make your backyard the best backyard it can be.
Think sheds. No, not your grandparents’ tattered shed filled with a dusty mower and 30-year-old paint brushes. We’re talking highly personalized sheds. Intimate covered spaces that keep the sun’s rays out but bring the summer in.
Outdoor sheds come in all shapes and sizes and can be personalized to fit within all types of lifestyles. From fun-filled tapsheds where friends gather for a margarita and grilled salmon to an intimate she shed stocked with wine and cheese or even a hobby shed for the family to play board games while munching on braised ribs and root beer, sheds can do it all.
Building a personalized shed can be a daunting task. Consider these five tips to help you create your ideal outdoor oasis just in time for summer:
1. Have a plan: Are you starting from scratch or cleaning out an existing old shed? What’s the theme? What’s the budget? What’s the goal? How much room do you have to work with? Before you start building your shed, make sure you have a plan in place. You may be eager to jump right in but it’s much easier to follow a well-laid plan than to make decisions on the fly.
2. Stick to a theme: A craft shed, a relaxation shed, a party shed — there are so many options when it comes to creating your perfect shed. Choose one theme and tailor all decisions around your theme of choice. For example, if you decide to go with a relaxation shed, choose calming colors and peaceful decorations.
3. Utilize your resources: Your shed is a part of your outdoor space and you should utilize all the free beauty that nature has to offer when it comes to decorating your shed. Build your shed under your favorite tree to offer natural shade or decorate your shed with dried flowers or vines.
4. Less is more: When designing an outdoor shed, it is easy to go overboard. Remember to keep it simple and that you want to have enough room to entertain guests and to hang out in your shed. Keeping things minimal will also ensure you stay within your budget.
5. Remember the exterior: One easy way to customize your shed is with a coat of paint. Choose a paint color that goes with your theme. Then invite friends and family over for a day of painting fun in the sun.
For more tips on making the most of your backyard, visit www.hpba.org.
Apr
16
3 ways to make your home more eco-friendly with smart home technology
April 16, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – More and more Americans are shifting to a greener lifestyle, and if you’re one of them, you’re always looking for ways to reduce your impact on the environment. Cutting your energy usage is a big part of that, and the benefits of doing so…
Apr
16
5 ways smart cities provide a healthier, safer, richer life for residents
April 16, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – It’s exciting to live in a time when technology is making everything smarter. Smartphones, smart homes, smart cars and now the talk is all about smart cities.Advances in automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are not only mind-boggli…
Apr
16
5 ways smart cities provide a healthier, safer, richer life for residents
April 16, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – It’s exciting to live in a time when technology is making everything smarter. Smartphones, smart homes, smart cars and now the talk is all about smart cities.Advances in automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are not only mind-boggli…
Apr
15
5 ways everyone can fight climate change
April 15, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – What can I do to combat climate change?
Concerned with their impact on the environment and wanting to do something to reduce their personal carbon footprint, many people find themselves asking this question. What habits can I curb, where can I reduce my energy use and what products should I be buying?
As the average American produces 16.6 tonnes of carbon pollution every year, there is ample opportunity for all of us to reduce our output.
Though the climate can often seem too big for an individual to do anything about, there are numerous everyday measures all of us can take to reduce our carbon footprint. For this year’s Earth Day, which falls on April 22, consider adopting some of these simple, everyday changes to your lifestyle.
Be aware of the impact of travel. There’s nothing like getting on a plane to visit an old friend or explore a new part of the world. While no one is expecting you to skip out on a visit home during the holidays, it is important to be aware of the carbon emissions that result from flying. For instance, per person, a cross-country flight from San Francisco to New York produces 1.84 tonnes of carbon pollution.
Don’t keep the water on! Remember how your dad used to tell you to turn the water off in the sink? Turns out, he was on to something. Water usage accounts for a large percentage of carbon emissions. That’s why it’s important to turn the water off when brushing your teeth, or better yet, to invest in low-flow fixtures. In fact, if 95 percent of homes switched to low-flow taps and showerheads by 2050, we would see a 4.6-gigaton reduction in carbon emissions.
It just takes a couple of clicks. Being able to order virtually anything and get it on your doorstep in a day, or even less, is pretty amazing. But all those packages come at a cost. By simply clicking on the box that lets you bundle your orders or opting out of the one-day delivery option, you can reduce the waste and carbon emissions that go into your order.
Cut back on the red meat you eat. Livestock, which is raised almost exclusively for human consumption, emits a staggering 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gases each year. If livestock were its own country, it would be the second biggest carbon polluter on the planet. The obvious solution is to limit the amount of red meat you eat. This doesn’t mean you need to cut it out entirely, but limiting it to weekends or one night a week can make a big difference.
Don’t be a slave to fashion. Every few months cool new shirts and cute new dresses hit the market. The average American throws out 70 pounds of clothes and many switch out their wardrobe every year. The result of this level of consumption is that the global textile industry accounts for 3 percent of global carbon emissions. Cut back by buying locally made clothes, clothes made of materials that will last (such as linen and wool) and, by the way, there are some real treasures at consignment shops!
Climate change, as it has often been said, is the big issue of our time. The above steps can do a great deal to reduce an individual’s carbon footprint, but for those looking to achieve a zero-emission lifestyle, it’s not enough. In addition to incorporating the above tips, supporting carbon reduction projects — which at a mere $89 a year, offsets the total carbon footprint an average American annually makes — is an easy and effective solution.
To learn more about carbon reduction projects and how you can take action today, visit www.cooleffect.org.