How about carbon holidays? One day a week, non essential services

[alfredo]

shut down. A day of rest for us and for our planet. Driving would be discouraged, Walmarts and other non essential retail establishments would be closed, only maintenance crews would be there. This would be for the industrial nations, the non industrial nations can join if they wish.

[AlCzervik]

1. When i was a kid everything was closed on Sundays, i wish they'd bring that back because

now sunday is just another retail opportunity.

[gateley]

4. I was just going to post that - and we got along just fine. I think the retailers

should be offered incentives to comply - it's not fair to ask them to give up revenue. On the other hand, if we don't do it voluntarily, it may become mandatory anyway.

I try to do what little I can at home. It's gotten to the point where I feel really uncomfortable if there's a light on in a room that I'm not in. I don't have my TV or radio on unless I'm watching/listening. Little things like that - I hope it's helping a bit.

[AlCzervik]

6. we've done some things in the past 2 years to try and get our energy costs down.

we redid our fire place, we had gas logs that were decorative but pretty much useless so we got a fireplace insert and it has a fan, it heats our entire house during the cold months and reduced our gas bill by %50, we installed plantation shutters that helped out big time this summer, a/c bill down by 25% and i bought new washer and dryer, the washer uses very little water and the dryer is much more efficient so i use that when i can't hang things to dry.

while the rest of our neighborhood was redoing their kitchens we did this instead, in the short run it cost up front but we're using less energy so in the long run the expense was well worth it.

[gateley]

8. Wow - you've really done a lot! And in addition to ultimately saving on expenses,

think of how you're making less of a negative impact on our earth! :yourock:

[AlCzervik]

10. also a plus is that all the new stuff makes the house look way better.

the shutters are beautiful and the fireplace is really pretty now, i actually enjoy being in that room now.

[gateley]

11. I'm happy to hear that! I actually miss having the TV or radio on in the background

and I loved having the rooms all illuminated at night. But I just can't do it anymore - I can't relax unless everything is turned. off! As I said - I'm so happy that your changes have worked out so well for you! :hi:

[alfredo]

7. I have migrated to more efficient lighting.

We keep the thermostat high in the summer, and low during the winter. I walk when there is no need to drive.

[gateley]

9. It's amazing how much simple things like this can help - and we're hardly

causing hardship for ourselves by implementing them. YOU rock, too! :yourock:

[alfredo]

12. Thanks. I might have to check to see what the city is doing to cut

energy usage. I know that have gone with LED traffic lights.

[Adsos Letter]

2. would this be on Sunday?

[XemaSab]

3. I vote for Monday, personally

:P

[alfredo]

5. Yeah, Monday's suck.

[Mountainman]

13. We use to have that. It was called the Blue laws only it wasn't because of the carbon.

It was because of religion.

[alfredo]

14. I remember how quiet things were on those days.

[Mountainman]

15. You couldn't buy liquor on Sunday so people stocked up on Saturday.

I lived on Ohio then and they had State Stores where booze was sold. People got just as drunk on Sunday as they do now only they had to make sure their liquor cabinets were full the night before.

[alfredo]

16. You either stayed home and got drunk or did it at a friend's house.