Supernatural Botanicals

What:  Global Warming.

Question:  Is global warming a real concern?

Facts:   The rate of warming is increasing. The 20th century’s last two decades were the hottest in 400 years and possibly the warmest for several millennia, according to a number of climate studies.  And the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 11 of the past 12 years are among the dozen warmest since 1850. 

What Will Happen?: 

• Strong hurricanes, droughts, heat waves, wildfires, and other natural disasters may become commonplace in many parts of the world. The growth of deserts may also cause food shortages in many places.

• Sea level could rise between 7 and 23 inches (18 to 59 centimeters) by century’s end, the IPCC’s February 2007 report projects. Rises of just 4 inches (10 centimeters) could flood many South Seas islands and swamp large parts of Southeast Asia.

Source:  National Geographic News.

Green’s mantra is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  Did you know that by reducing plastic bag consumption by just two bags per week, you’ll throw away at least 100 fewer bags per year.  If tied together, handle to handle, these plastic bags would make a rope long enough to wrap around the earth more than 126 times. 

You can purchase canvas bags for about $1.00 a piece.  They are stylish, green, and so much better for the environment than plastic bags.  It’s one simple way to becoming more eco-responsible. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT_TVd41vyQ&feature=player_embedded

“If everyone in the country elected to buy one package of 100 percent recycled napkins instead of the non-recycled variety, that act alone would save one million trees.”

    -Jennifer Powers, spokeswoman for the Natural Resources Defense Council

Did you know that three-fourths of the bottles from bottled water do not get recycled?  That’s 75%!   Scientists roughly estimate that it takes 450-1000 years for a water bottle to decompose.  If you are going to drink bottled water, please be mindful of the environment and recycle the bottle….and then encourage someone else to do the same.  Plus, you’ll save money on trash bags.  It’s one small step you can take to being more responsible to the environment.  It’s everyone’s job!

Summer Energy Efficiency Tips:

*  Close curtains or blinds on the sunny side of your home during the day.

*  Replace standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.

*  Inspect, clean or replace air filters monthly. 

*  Do laundry and run your dishwasher at night.

*  Raise your thermostat setting and use ceiling fans to keep cool. 

Every step in the right direction eliminates damage to the environment.  It’s your responsibility to tread lightly on the earth, and mine too.  Teach your children well and set a good example. 

   Skip the bottled water. For every one million bottles of water that are manufactured and shipped to consumers, 18.2 tons of carbon dioxide emissions are pumped into the air.

Today is Earth Day.  Be an Earth Day hero and do something good for the Earth.  Whether it be recycling, reducing the amount of trash you create, limiting your driving, changing your light bulbs out for compact fluorescent bulbs, conserving energy by unplugging items such as cell phone chargers and blow dryers, etc., just do something and get yourself started in the right direction.  It’s not that hard…it’s about making good choices.  So make some good choices today and do the right thing.  Be an Earth Day hero!  I am!   Want to know more ways in which you can go green?  Start here. 

Enter To win a Black and Decker Monitor.  Track how much energy you use at home—and how much it’s costing you—with this handy monitoring device. By tracking your appliances’ energy consumption, this tool can help you save 20 percent off your electric bill (value $100). By Black & Decker.

Pull the plug!   Appliances like televisions and VCRs still suck power when turned off. An estimated 95 percent of the energy consumed by cellphone chargers comes when they are left plugged in.