Three is a magic number,
Yes it is, it’s a magic number.
Somewhere in the ancient, mystic trinity
You get three as a magic number.
The past and the present
and the future.
Faith and Hope and Charity,
The heart and the brain
and the body
Give you three as a magic number.
- Three is a Magic Number (from Schoolhouse Rock) by Bob Dorough
Ah, the ancient wisdom of Schoolhouse Rock. The rule of three applies to the green resolutions being discussed so far this year here in The Preface. Living lighter by making a few changes in things we do every day can help to drop some pounds of CO2 from our carbon footprints. There are three choices we all make in our daily lives that, if altered slightly, can make a huge difference.
One: The food we do or do not eat affects the global environment. Amazing to imagine, but it’s true. The American food system is accountable for roughly a third of greenhouse gases produced in this country.
Two: How to get from here to there can be altered, adjusted, or dropped in an effort to lose percentage points off the 51% of greenhouse gases produced by common modes of transportation such as automobiles.
Three: Home life. This is not a column devoted to changing your every waking habit into and uber-ecofriendly one. It is, hopefully, a tool to use. When examining items used in your daily life, some may register a bit heavy on the carbon scale. These are some lighter alternatives. This one is a broad category, including everything from cleaning products, lights, and materials in your home. Even if you don’t own, you can make choices to lower your impact.
Choices: Install energy efficient lighting. Start out with a few compact fluorescent light bulbs each month. Replace the bulbs used most often, the ones that seem to always be on. They are more expensive initially, but their savings are quickly recouped.
Just like exercising may be a bit of a time and energy investment when beginning a physical weight loss program, doing it a little at a time helps you feel you are doing a good thing. Plus, the returns make you feel good.
Remember, there is no need to overwhelm your household budget or chore time – in this case, small investments pay off.
If you are ready for a bigger step, a bigger investment and you own your home, replace energy hog appliances. Get rid of that old, inefficient appliance with a new, Energy Star rated one that uses less energy. Ditto the refrigerator. Ditto the dishwasher.
Resolve to be lighter this year – lighter on the planet. It can be done in small, but significant ways.
Resolve to be lighter
Published: Sunday, February 14, 2010
Updated: Sunday, February 14, 2010
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