Booking Through Thursday 4/22/10

EARTH DAY -
It’s Earth Day … what are you reading? Are your reading habits changing for the sake of the environment? What are you doing for the sake of the planet today?

I am currently reading The Know It All by A. J. Jacobs, a satire written by a journalist about his experience reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. I am thoroughly enjoying it.
My reading habits have changed

• I recycle all magazines and newspapers
• Share my books with neighbors, colleagues, family and students
• Purchased an e-reader

What am I doing for the sake of the planet today? The past year has been one of change in our household as we become more and more aware of how our individual actions affect our planet. Here is a list of the small things we do in our household to "make our world a better place" (a quote from 6 yo Boo Boo last weekend when she saw some kids planting flowers at their school).

• Use reusable shopping bags wherever we shop, not just the grocery store. Most of them are made of recycled materials.
• Switching out all lightbulbs to more energy efficient ones
• Grow our own produce - we started a rather large suburban garden last year and I did not have to purchase much produce last summer and fall. We expanded this year to blueberries, strawberries, potatoes and sweet potatoes.
• Installed a water barrel to use to water vegetables, fruits and flowers
• Turn off lights when we leave the room (we are still working on this one!)
• Recycle as much as possible
• Use BPA free reusable water bottles
• Cook at home as much as possible

We have a long way to go, but I believe our family has made some positive changes in the past year. How about you? What are you doing to "make your world a better place"?