Power to the people

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.nj.com/columns/times/kaemmerlen/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1199941548293130.xml&coll=5

Power to the people

Thursday, January 10, 2008

I'm turning green. Not with jealousy or sea sickness. But with spiral light bulbs, clotheslines, burlap bags, and pulling the plug on vampires.

Vampires? Those are the cell phone and camera chargers, with the black box on the cord. Did you know that, even when you remove the cell phone, vampires keep sucking juice? Unplug 'em.

And yes! I'm replacing that primitive 100-watt bulb with a compact, fluorescent 23-watt bulb, saving both planet and money. (I'm getting used to the quirks). I'm banishing plastic and carrying my own bags. I'm using backyard wind-power to dry my clothes (and scraping the ice off underwear before wearing.)

As a product of the '60's, I've always been slightly green. Remember how, in 1970, we plunged into saving the environment? Oh, the excitement of the Earth Day train chugging up the Eastern Seaboard toward the parade in New York, boarding zealous Earth-rescuing missionaries at every stop?

...

[murielm99]

1. Isn't it fun to carry your own bags into the supermarket?

My youngest daughter got me a canvas bag and an insulated bag for Christmas. When I take my bags to the supermarket, all the checkers get excited. It always provokes conversation. Most of them wish more people would do it. And, the young guys who carry the bags out to the car for me argue over who gets to do the carrying.