March 28, 2007
If you only have one roof, do you go for the green one, the rainwater harvesting one or the solar panelled one? An eco-savvy friend of mine insisted you could do all three at once — you can work it so that the green roof also channels rainwater down into a reserve, and solar panels can go along the sides, or they don’t even have to be on the roof to begin with. Perhaps you could even throw up some wind turbines while you’re at it. But maybe it comes down to cost, or practicality, or maybe a peaked roof is more conducive to certain options than a flat one, and vice versa. Anyone got an opinion on which roof wins the green prize?
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climate change, energy, environment, global warming, green, rainwater, roof, solar, wind turbine | 
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Posted by gettinggreen
March 28, 2007
Until now, I’ve been amongst the anxiously prepared (or pathetically lazy, depending on interpretation) who like to keep the computer on sleep mode, the cell phone charger lodged in the wall socket and the hair-straightening iron left on standby — because as every girl knows, you never know when a hair emergency will strike. Seriously, my stylist actually has a separate phone number for such occasions … but that’s another story.
However this changes as of today when I not only turn off, but unplug whatever’s not in use — the only exception will be my computer, which I’m convinced dies a little every time it’s unplugged, and my VCR, because it’s near impossible to reach the socket without hauling three bookshelves out of the way, and I use it frequently to watch screeners for work.
Everything else, though — my phone and battery charger, stereo and speakers, modem, humidifier, hair dryer and straightening iron, bedside and desk lamps, kettle, electric grill and toaster — is all getting unplugged, until I need to use them.
So far the acoustic lifestyle is working out just fine, although it’s only been a day, and I have yet to encounter a sudden need for flat hair, toast and loud music all at once.
Image stolen recklessly from the CPSC
8 Comments | climate change, electricity, energy, environment, global warming | Permalink
Posted by gettinggreen
