10 Ways to Save on Energy Use and Eco Drying the Laundry

Co-Op America had a recent post on 10 ways to save on energy use. Some of the tips we had seen before, but others were new, such as getting an energy audit for you home. Other good ones are not setting your dishwasher for the dry cycle, but letting the dishes dry on their own. We tried a good compromise on our last load of laundry, by cutting short the drying time and letting the clothes complete drying in the sun. It worked out well, and everything had a nice fresh scent. We have also been staying away from dryer cloths, as they have found to contain many toxic ingredients. Trader Joe's sells lavender drying sachets which are all natural and lend a nice softness to your clothes. We are on the lookout for any other natural products out there that do the trick...do you know of any?

10 Strikes Against Nuclear Power, from Co-Op America

Currently we draw electric power from about 400 nuclear plants worldwide. Nuclear proponents say we would have to scale up to around 17,000 nuclear plants to offset enough fossil fuels to begin making a dent in climate change. This isn't possible – neither are 2,500 or 3,000 more nuclear plants that many people frightened about climate change suggest. Here's why:

1) Nuclear waste –The waste from nuclear power plants will be toxic for humans for more than 100,000 years. It's untenable now to secure and store all of the waste from the plants that exist. To scale up to 2,500 or 3,000, let alone 17,000 plants is unthinkable. »

2) Nuclear proliferation – In discussing the nuclear proliferation issue, Al Gore said, "During my 8 years in the White House, every nuclear weapons proliferation issue we dealt with was connected to a nuclear reactor program." Iran and North Korea are reminding us of this every day. We can't develop a domestic nuclear energy program without confronting proliferation in other countries. »

3) National Security – Nuclear reactors represent a clear national security risk, and an attractive target for terrorists. In researching the security around nuclear power plants, Robert Kennedy, Jr. found that there are at least eight relatively easy ways to cause a major meltdown at a nuclear power plant. »

4) Accidents – Forget terrorism for a moment, and remember that mere accidents – human error or natural disasters – can wreak just as much havoc at a nuclear power plant site. The Chernobyl disaster forced the evacuation and resettlement of nearly 400,000 people, without thousands poisoned by radiation. »

5) Cancer – There are growing concerns that living near nuclear plants increases the risk for childhood leukemia and other forms of cancer – even when a plant has an accident-free track record. One Texas study found increased cancer rates in north central Texas since the Comanche Peak nuclear power plant was established in 1990, and a recent German study found childhood leukemia clusters near several nuclear power sites in Europe. »

6) Not enough sites – Scaling up to 17,000 – or 2,500 or 3,000 -- nuclear plants isn't possible simply due to the limitation of feasible sites. Nuclear plants need to be located near a source of water for cooling, and there aren't enough locations in the world that are safe from droughts, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, or other potential disasters that could trigger a nuclear accident. Over 24 nuclear plants are at risk of needing to be shut down this year because of the drought in the Southeast. No water, no nuclear power. »

7) Not enough uranium – Even if we could find enough feasible sites for a new generation of nuclear plants, we're running out of the uranium necessary to power them. Scientists in both the US and UK have shown that if the current level of nuclear power were expanded to provide all the world's electricity, our uranium would be depleted in less than ten years. »

8) Costs – Some types of energy production, such as solar power, experience decreasing costs to scale. Like computers and cell phones, when you make more solar panels, costs come down. Nuclear power, however, will experience increasing costs to scale. Due to dwindling sites and uranium resources, each successive new nuclear power plant will only see its costs rise, with taxpayers and consumers ultimately paying the price. »

9) Private sector unwilling to finance – Due to all of the above, the private sector has largely chosen to take a pass on the financial risks of nuclear power, which is what led the industry to seek taxpayer loan guarantees from Congress in the first place. »

And finally, even if all of the above strikes against nuclear power didn't exist, nuclear power still can't be a climate solution because there is …

10) No time – Even if nuclear waste, proliferation, national security, accidents, cancer and other dangers of uranium mining and transport, lack of sites, increasing costs, and a private sector unwilling to insure and finance the projects weren't enough to put an end to the debate of nuclear power as a solution for climate change, the final nail in nuclear's coffin is time. We have the next ten years to mount a global effort against climate change. It simply isn't possible to build 17,000 – or 2,500 or 17 for that matter – in ten years. »

With so many strikes against nuclear power, it should be off the table as a climate solution, and we need to turn our energies toward the technologies and strategies that can truly make a difference: solar power, wind power, and energy conservation.

Co-op America Green Business Awards

We recently began subscribing to Co-Op America's e news and have found the articles to be very informative. The organization focuses on "economic action for a just planet." A recent e-mail highlighted the top 10 Green Business People's Choice Award, which will be announced at the Green Festival on November 10 in San Francisco. Below is the list of nominees. Also, check out the green festivals listings page (see link above) for more information on upcoming events.

1. Flexcar
Seattle, WA * www.flexcar.com
"Flexcar made it possible for me to get rid of my car! My workplace has a corporate contract allowing our employees to use Flexcar during the day. As a result, most of us now use mass transit to get to work."
--David K., Portland, OR

2. Greenfeet.com: The Planet's Homestore
Chico, CA * www.greenfeet.com
“Great eco-friendly products at reasonable prices. Plus, the owners podcast their show, “More Hip than Hippie” every week, which is the best green show we’ve listened to.”
--Cynthia and Larry G., Jacksonville, FL

3. Green Living Now
Huntington, VT * www.greenlivingnow.com
“Amy Todisco is not just a business owner, she is a partner in health to all she serves. She delves deeply into researching the products she sells in order to more completely serve her clientele.”
--Donna H., Fredericksburg, VA

4. Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods and Oils
Winnipeg, Manitoba * www.manitobaharvest.com
“I've never met a more enthusiastic, passionate group of people, dedicated to spreading the word not only about the value and sustainability of hemp, but the ways in which each of us can make our mark on this world for the better. I adore them!.”
--Linda S., Boulder, CO

5. Mountains of the Moon
Camby, IN * www.mountainsofthemoon.com
“Mountains of the Moon does something very simple: they give the earth-conscious consumer the ability to be fashion-conscious, and vice versa. Enough said!”
--Julie C., Chicago, IL

6. Only Natural Pet Store
Boulder, CO * www.onlynaturalpet.com
“Fantastic, responsible product selection. Biodegradeable, recycled packaging. Plus, the company runs on wind and solar power. Wow!”
--Aileen W., Sierra Madre, CA

7. Pizza Fusion
Fort Lauderdale, FL * www.pizzafusion.com
“Pizza Fusion introduced me to the concept of a green business, which I knew nothing about. Their way of building their business with the least amount of negative influence on our environment is something that everyone should follow.”
--Chris J., Hialeah, FL

8. ReusableBags.com
Chicago, IL * www.reusablebags.com
“Small Web-based retailer, changing the world one reusable bag at a time. I'm a convert myself and have converted several others into BYOBaggers in less than six months!”
--Kristin F., Middleton, WI

9. UsedCardboardBoxes.com
Montebello, CA * www.usedcardboardboxes.com
“They are taking one of the most wasteful industries in America and are sincerely dedicating themselves to the recycling and greening of the transportation and storage businesses.”
--Daysun P., Los Angeles, CA

10. Yoga Nine/Buddha Body Fair Trade Store
Smithville, NJ * www.yoganine.com
“Laurie Green facilitates health and spiritual growth while being a responsible business person, both in the local community and the global village, by supporting Fair Trade practices.”
--Diane S., Egg Harbor City, NJ