Here it is, the Friday before the first One Corps Action Day - and I have procrastinated. But, I'm betting that some of you have too! After all, isn't it the procrastinators challenge that always does so well on the NPR fundraisers? I think there is a reason for that, but that is another diary.
This campaign for President is just ramping up, there are new staff coming on board for John Edwards every day, but the campaign is not the only thing ramping up this month. The One Corps chapters are ramping up as well. The Chapel Hill One Corps chapter is one of the oldest and now we are on our way to becoming one of the most active. We've participated in book signing events in Raleigh,Chapel Hill, and the surrounding areas. We formed a large part of the volunteer base at the Welcome Home Rally for Senator Edwards after his announcement tour, and we've been seen here and again working in the office when the need presents itself. It's not just the campaign, this One Corps chapter is ramping up to change this country.
The great thing about the Edwards campaign, and One Corps, is that you take responsibility for the future of our planet by taking responsibility for your own actions. You take responsibility for the future of our country, by taking responsibility for your own actions. You take responsibility for the future of this campaign by taking responsibility for your own actions.
And, so, I bring you the Procrastinators Energy Challenge! It is important to note that the Challenge is subdivided into two sets of five. The first five are things that you can do right NOW! From your house, or at your computer! It takes no momentum to accomplish these five tasks. After that, the second five require one trip to the local hardware, and about three hours of work. You can do it!!! So, here we go, starting with the top 5, which you can do RIGHT THIS SECOND!
- Adjust your thermostat down a couple of degrees
- Keep your water heater thermostat no higher than 120 degrees
- Only run your dishwasher and washing machine with a full load
- Unplug electronics when not in use, including televisions, stereos and computers, which consume electricity even when in "sleep" mode
- Enroll in local and green power programs (NC Green Power for Chapel Hillians).
- Replace your most frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent and other energy efficient bulbs ( grab a sheet of printer paper and go NOW and make a list of how many bulbs you need of different brightness).
- Weatherize your home by caulking and weather stripping your doorways and windows ( add to your list the number of windows that need caulked or glazed and the number of doors for which you need weather stripping).
- Fix leaky faucets and toilets ( if they aren't leaking, you're set!!!).
- Install a low-flow shower head and take shorter showers ( Aaargh! I know, I hate low-flow showers).
- Use organic cloth napkins instead of paper napkins and organic sponges or rags instead of paper towels. ( This might take a special trip. In Chapel Hill you can pick these up at Whole Foods or at Weaver Street market).
So, forget about talking the talk, how do I walk the walk. Feel free to include your own update in the comments.
- Done! Although it is a bit of a battle with my wife during the winter, this summer I suffered the North Carolina heat to save energy.
- Done! When we moved into the house, mostly because of young kids.
- Absolutely, not hard to do in our house of four people with food allergies that require we cook every meal.
- We have surge protectors on much of our equipment, starting today I will be turning the switch off when I leave with the kids (which I already do with lights, thermostat, air filters, etc.)
- We just went through this website, (Your NC GreenPower / NC Renewable Energy Form has been submitted as follows:) after some miscommunication in which each of us had thought the other had signed us up previously. Very painless to sign up for NC Green Power.
- We are replacing them as they burn out. Our only obstacle so far is finding replacement lights for the teenie-tiny light bulbs.
- Newish house with triple pane windows and such, but I have been the guy sitting outside pointing, glazing, and caulking windows. I feel for you, but just get 'er done!
- I replaced the entire guts of one toilet two months ago because it was leaking - so I think we are fine. No leaks of which to speak.
- Much to my chagrin, we did this a couple months ago as well.
- We use organic sponges and rags, all paper products are organic. Our cloths are ones we have had since 1999, so at this point it would be counterproductive to throw them away and buy new organic ones. When the holes are larger than the rags, we'll buy organic ones.
So, that is it people, if you want to do more you can look at the list of activities on the One Corps web page. And, remember, you can always buy this electric car.