This article appeared in the on-line magazine for actors The Networker, in June 2010
Electricity is around us and it’s part of our everyday lives so much so that we don’t pay attention to it until there is an electric outage. Or until we go camping and there are no plugs to keep our cell phones charged.
From the moment that we wake up to the moment that we go to sleep (sometimes even when we’re sleeping), we are using electricity:
Electricity’s journey in our daily routine:
- alarm clock
- light
- warm water
- toothbrush
- coffee/tea maker
- toaster
- fridge
- stove
- electronic mixers, cutters, openers, etc.
- dishwasher and washer and dryer
- cellphone, phone, fax, email
- tv, radio, cable, internet
- computer, printer, accessories
- car windows and electronic locks
- car radio, iPods
- escalator and elevators
- ticketing machines for metro and parking
- security cameras
- traffic lights and traffic regulatory signs (construction signs, etc.)
- billboard advertising
- electronic doors and door buzzers
- office computers, printers, etc.
- gas station
- vending machines
- gym equipment
- shopping
- cashier machines
- patio lights
- cat litter box cleaner
- cosmetic machines (for nails, hair, skin, etc.)
- electronic books
- still and video cameras
- massager
- external hard drives
- jewelry cleaners
- cat and dog toys
- etc.
Energy or electricity is everywhere. We can’t imagine life without it!
Electricity doesn’t just exist, it comes from somewhere, not just from a hole in the wall. It gets into the wall through a very complex process. Our energy is limited regardless if energy comes from coal mines or from solar initiatives. Solar is not 100% sustainable either because producing solar panels and the entire solar system takes energy, cables, metal framing and boxes, space that belongs to nature (wind turbines and solar panels in the desert disturb the environment in a big way), etc.
So regardless of where energy or electricity comes from, we need to be conservative with it and being conservative isn’t that difficult once you get used to certain habits.
The more we avoid using energy from the plug, the healthier we will become because that energy will then come from us. Pushing, pulling, lifting, cranking, moving our muscles is important for our bones and muscles, even if it’s little things like opening a can. If you don’t have arthritis or are not missing fingers or hands or have any other disability and have been using an electric opener for a while, notice how hard your muscles will have to work to open a can manually. The choice is sometimes very simple, either we burn coal and create electricity to power your electric can opener or you exercise your hands and gain strength and flexibility.
So use your own energy and conserve whenever and wherever you can:
- turn off the lights in rooms if you’re going to be gone for more than a few minutes
- dim your computer and cell phone screen a bit (also have a dark screensaver and desktop picture)
- set your battery preference to power adapter and put hard disk to sleep when possible
- turn bluetooth off if you’re not using it
- unplug all electronics that are not used
- when you go on vacation, unplug all electronics, from lights to radio to stove
- use the stairs instead of the elevator
- if you use elevator, look for others to get in with you so it’ll make the trip only once
- turn down your water heater to low heat
- wash your laundry in cold or luke warm, no need to “boil” your clothes
- get solar panel patio and garden lights if you want your backyard lit
- get a manual powered push lawnmower
- mop non-carpeted floors instead of vacuuming (non-electric mop)
- clean your cat litter box manually
- clean your jewelry manually
- run and ride your bike outdoors, instead of in the gym or a machine at home
- turn off the a/c and open your windows to create a draft
- have trees around your house to give you shade
- put on extra sweater if you’re cold. Turn on the heat only if the sweater doesn’t help keep you warm
- get energy efficient appliances and dispose of the old ones properly. Please NEVER throw electric supplies into the regular trash!
- if you use CFL lights, please recycle them. They are poison to the environment if not disposed properly!
Check for the next couple weeks where you can reduce your electricity usage and continue reducing wherever you can. In my household, I’ve reduced my energy usage by half in the past two years. Whenever I check my utility bill, I’m still beating last year’s usage and last month’s usage, which I’m proud of. I’m constantly challenging myself to see how low my bill can get and I keep finding things that waste energy. It’s doable.
Reducing your energy usage is not only good for the planet and your physical health because you do things manually, but also your mental well-being. Less electric cords plugged in and less electricity around you will result in less headache, better concentration, better sleep, and overall well-being.
And while you are practicing your energy reduction, plan a couple days of the month to go off the grid for long periods. Go camping, go on an all day hike, go to the beach, get out into the desert. It will do your body and soul good.
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