Five Non-Controversial, Non-Political Suggestions for Environmentally Reponsible Living

From our client, Rich Morrison, retired Senior Vice President of Environmental Policies and Programs at Bank of America , current member of the Investment Advisory Committee of the Sierra Club, and with numerous affiliations with other environmental organizations.

1. Climate change  --  Reduce energy consumption to help mitigate the effects burning fossil fuels has on the buildup of greenhouse gases.

• Drive vehicles that get higher miles per gallon, ideally hybrids
• Reduce electricity consumption at home and in the office by using compact florescent bulbs
• Insulate homes and offices and install double-pane windows to reduce energy used to heat and cool
• Use Energy Star appliances

2. Water conservation  --  Reduce water consumption to lessen the need for environmentally destructive dams.  This is especially important in California.

• Install low flow water fixtures
• Use drip irrigation for outdoor plants
• Landscape with native plants, which require less watering

3. Organic food and fabrics  --  Buy organic to reduce the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which escape into the environment.

4. Materials  --  When building, remodeling or purchasing, buy used items or items made from natural or recycled materials.  Such materials require less energy to produce and involve less extraction from environmentally sensitive lands.

_