By Patricia Andreu, WTVJ
When I pitched a "green" series to my News Director nearly two years ago, I had no idea that it would take off the way it has. My initial hope was to produce 4 or 5 stories -- AT MOST -- about eco-friendly ways to save energy and money. I wanted to get the word out to viewers that being "green" could be quite easy and even help trim the household budget. But thanks to the support of my ND -- and great timing in terms of the "green" avalanche of information and initiatives that soon followed -- Going Green has been airing each and every week on NBC 6 since October 2006.
It's been quite a ride! Personally (and I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging) but I've learned a helluva lot from these stories! But, as the "green" reporter (a title I hold with great pride), I've also had to walk the fine line between being a "believer" and a "hypocrite". While I haven't incorporated every single tip into my daily life (I have not gone out and bought all new Energy Star appliances... my current ones are fairly efficient and work just fine), my family and I are a much more eco-friendly than before.
My biggest "conversion" has been buying a Prius. When my old car lease was up, I decided that it was time for a hybrid. All the stories I had done on hybrids -- the technology, the gas savings, the reduction in pollution -- was more than enough to convince me this was the right purchase to make. And, let me tell you, I LOVE IT! Each time I get behind the wheel, I check my mileage... see how my driving habits impact my fuel economy. I've become addicted to saving my gasoline receipts. I've been keeping track of how many miles I've driven on the gallons of gasoline used (378 miles on 8.4 gallons, 337 miles on 7.5 gallons, 394 miles on 8.7 gallons!!!!) I'm a definite convert!
I've also changed out as many bulbs as possible to CFLs. As many folks know by now, they save lots of energy, last FOREVER and don't heat up the room nearly as much as the darned halogen lights that were all over my house!
I'm a water-holic and used to bring a new water bottle to work every day. Now, I use refillable bottles that I wash at home... I cut back on trash and save lots of money by filling up at the tap. I've also bought several reusable grocery bags that I shop with every week. No more plastic bags.
My home has a white roof (keeps the inside cooler so the AC doesn't run as much). I regularly change my AC filters and have cleaned the coils. I've cut back on the hours that my pool pump runs. My showerheads and faucets are low-flow (not low pressure). I've had the garden sprinklers checked out so we're not wasting water when we irrigate the front and back yards. And, I keep the temperature in the main part of the house at 78 degrees. The AC for the bedrooms comes down to 76 at night (believe me, it's super cool inside... we're not sweating bullets). We also recycle (as much as our city allows), among other things.
Sure, there are many more things I could do. Getting programmable thermostats is at the top of my to do list. But, at least this is a start.
My husband's gotten used to answering questions from cynical folks about how "green" we really are... He just smiles and says I've made him greener than he ever thought he'd be. He's such a great sport. Quite frankly, I think it's fair for viewers to wonder if I'm "buying" any of the stuff I'm reporting. Well, I am!
To find out more ways you can go green, tune into NBC 6 on Wednesdays at 11pm to catch my new reports. You can also see past stories, tips and links on our homepage at www.nbc6.net/goinggreen.
Patricia Andreu
NBC 6 Reporter
nice good picture and information
I am just starting to go green. I have started buying the bags for 99 cents at Kroger. I am a little concerned about the mercury in the light bulbs. Is it safe? I usually don't stay up that late but will try to stay up Wednesday and wat the reports. Thank you. Pam
I haven't ever caught your show (it is pretty late for a mommy of six, ages 9 to 5mo.) But wanted to mention an inexpensive and easy way to be more eco friendly is to use cloth napkins and washcloths instead of paper napkins and towels. We are a household of 8 and I haven't bought a roll of paper towels in over a year!
Going green is great but we need to take the bad science out of the propaganda if it is going to be taken seriously. Hybrid and the reusable bags fantastic ideas until you look at the math and the facts. Both of these concepts makes us feel good that we are helping the environment but actually they don’t. There is a reason why UPS Fedx and other huge fleet companies are not using the hybrid vehicles. They don’t make economic sense and environmental sense. That battery the Priuse uses is far more dangerous to the environment then the carbons that cars release. Oh and how much mercury should we allow in the water supply’s from the new florescent light bulbs we are suppose to use.
Oh and those reusable bags. It takes 200 plastic bags made from a natural cheap resource called oil to equal the same amount of energy it takes to manufacture the cotton blend bags made from a resource that we need for clothes. Lets see that 4 years worth of use to break even that’s if the bag doesn’t break first. Oh and don’t get me started on using food for car fuel that causes our cars o-ring to degenerate and makes are cars leak more oil all around the US then 3 huge oil tankers spilling in Alaska.
Going green is smart how we are going green is proving ignorant