kyle b empringham

Updated List!

Kyle Empringham — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 21:44:32 +0000

Sorry I’ve been on AWOL, but hoding a full-time job and running websites proves to take much of my time. Here’s an updates list, from the beginning of July. After the list if over, I’ll be sure to fully explain the up and downs of this list. There’s been many!

JULY 1 – Running outside only (no treadmills!)

JULY 2 – Picking up litter when I see it.

JULY 3 – Not running lots of applications on my computer at once.

JULY 4 – Not using any more straws.

JULY 5 – Making sure all the lights are turned off before I leave home.

JULY 6 – Returning my wine/beer bottles to the Beer Store so they’re recycled properly.

JULY 7 – Showering in lukewarm, rather than hot, water.

JULY 8 – Always asking for no receipt, unless I REALLY need one.

JULY 9 – No more gift wrap.

JULY 10 – Setting my desktop wallpaper to black.

JULY 11 – Adding an eco-friendly tip to my signature.

JULY 12 – No more using paper towels or hand-dryers in public washrooms.

JULY 13 – Spending part of each day educating myself about environmental issues.

JULY 14 – Following the “if it’s mellow, let it mellow…” rule.

JULY 15 – No more ordering food by delivery.

JULY 16 – Washing all my clothes in cold water.

JULY 17 – Switch to eating meat only once every three days.

JULY 18 – Being conscientious about how much water I use; only turning on the taps at a “trickle” when washing hands or brushing teeth and keeping showers to five minutes.

JULY 19 – Only consuming locally grown, produced and cellared wine (from within Ontario).

JULY 20 – Giving up gum (especially the over-packaged kind).

JULY 21 – Purchasing all my music in mp3 format rather than CDs.

JULY 22 – Limiting my use of elevators.

JULY 23 – Eating food straight from the pot or pan.

JULY 24 – Letting my clothes air-dry on a rack, not in the dryer.

JULY 25 – Asking that others only buy me eco-friendly gifts.

JULY 26 – Using up my change at the cash register.

JULY 27 – Using tote bags, no more plastic bags.

JULY 28 – Using a thermos for coffee and tea.

JULY 29 – Making sure there’s always at least one ‘green’ element in the gifts I give.

JULY 30 – Recycling anything and everything that can be recycled — no excuses.

JULY 31 – Reducing light in the bathroom off each morning while showering and brushing my teeth.

AUGUST 1 – Using the same fork or spoon I’ve stirred with to eat.

AUGUST 2 – Donating clothes to Goodwill and other thrift stores.

AUGUST 3 – Letting my clothes air-dry on a rack, not in the dryer.

AUGUST 4 – Using rechargeable batteries.

AUGUST 5 – Not drinking anymore bottled beverages.

AUGUST 6 – No more gyms, all exercise must be outdoors.

AUGUST 7 – Volunteering regularly with a green organization.

AUGUST 8 – Printing on both sides of the page.

AUGUST 9 – Switch to eating meat only once every three days.

AUGUST 10 – No more disposable plastic cutlery or plates.

AUGUST 11 – Only drinking fair-trade, organic, locally roasted coffee.

AUGUST 12 – Putting a bottle of water in the toilet tank to reduce the amount used per flush.

AUGUST 13 – Only filling my kettle with the exact amount of water needed.

AUGUST 14 – No more take-out, unless I bring my own containers.

AUGUST 15 – Fixing something if it’s broken rather than getting a new one.

DAYS SEVENTEEN TO TWENTY-SIX.

Kyle Empringham — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 04:39:22 +0000

Day 17 - Switch to eating meat only once every three days. This is especially tough, coming from a farming family! But, it hasn’t been terribly difficult so far, since I don’t live at home. Telling my parents that I’m reducing my meat consumption made them think I was going crazy!

Day 18 - Being conscientious about how much water I use; only turning on the taps at a “trickle” when washing hands or brushing teeth and keeping showers to five minutes. This is so important! We suburban folks use far too much water. I’m glad to say I ensure I don’t use too much water when bushing my teeth!

Day 19 - Only consuming locally grown, produced and cellared wine (from within Ontario). This one was fun and very easy! So many delicious wines are grown in Ontario.

Day 20 - Giving up gum (especially the over-packaged kind). I’ve never really liked gum. It’s not really my thing. So, this one was rather easy and I was happy to do it!

Day 21 - Purchasing all my music in mp3 format rather than CDs. Easy!

Day 22 - Limiting my use of elevators. Since I was in first year university, I always took the stairs. Then, it was a little exercise to keep me in shape, but now, it’s also to reduce energy consumption.

Day 23 - Eating food straight from the pot or pan. This works so well for me, since I’m far too lazy to do dishes.

Day 24 - Letting my clothes air-dry on a rack, not in the dryer. My room in Hamilton is a SAUNA. It’s a non-air-conditioned house, and I’m in the attic. Works wonders on my clothes. Haha.

Day 25 - Asking that others only buy me eco-friendly gifts. I only asked for plane letters from friends, for the plane ride to BC! this will reduce the amount of packaging I get with other items and gives me a great read for the plane trip there.

Day 26 - Using up my change at the cash register. This also works well for the poor student that is myself.

Almost 50% complete.

Kyle Empringham — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:00:42 +0000

It’s been 25 days since starting, and since the beginning, I’ve realized how simple some of these changes are. I’ve also realized that they can be more difficult than they may seem.

I think some of these tasks are pretty simple, don’t require much thought, and could really be a stepping stone towards a greener future. Turning my desktop wallpaper to black and adding an eco-friendly signature took very little effort and are consistently doing their small part to green my life. These weren’t hard tasks, and only took about 5 minutes of thought to complete.

But there are other tasks that have proven to be difficult. Giving up straws in the summer (ie, smoothie and cold drink season) proved to be a BIG challenge. But, despite a hiccup or two, I’ve gotten the hang of it and really don’t see much need to use them. I may not be able to drink iced caps, but iced coffee is a great substitute and does the job for me.

Not using paper towels or hand dryers in bathrooms is also a bit tough at times, but I’m getting the hang of it, too. It also helps slow down the sometime rediculously-fast-paced life I lead – taking a break for 2 minutes to let your hands dry lets me sit there and do nothing for a few moments.

All in all? It’s been worth it. I feel a lot better about the life I’m leading. I know more difficult tasks are coming up, but I’m excited to tackle them head on.

The challenges from the last few days are coming today, I promise.

Kyle.

DAY SIXTEEN – Washing all my clothes in cold water.

Kyle Empringham — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 03:51:13 +0000

Funny enough, I used to do this in high school, until a friend told me cold water my dull the colours on your clothes.

However, I pledge to use cold water only. Hot water is not any good for clothes and is a huge energy waster. And as for the dulling of colours? I think I can deal with that.

DAY FIFTEEN – No more ordering food by delivery.

Kyle Empringham — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 03:47:39 +0000

This one’s rather fair. As someone who bikes and walks to most destinations, I think it’s suitable for me to reduce GHG emissions and pick up my own food. With this, I also plan to order less food and prepare more of my own food – it’s the healthier option, and keeps more money in my pocket.

DAY FOURTEEN – Following the “If it’s yellow, let it mellow…” rule.

Kyle Empringham — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 03:45:31 +0000

Sorry, housemates.

I don’t believe in wasting water, and many of my eco-challenges are about reducing the amount of water used daily. This is one of them.

Although it may seem a tad gross, it otherwise does not really do any harm by not flushing. The only way this one might not prove to be impactful is if the next person sees what’s in the bowl, and flushes before AND after they’re done using it. In that sense, the impact is zero – but with a little education about my project, I’m sure this won’t be the case.

DAY THIRTEEN – Spending part of each day educating myself about environmental issues

Kyle Empringham — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 03:42:23 +0000

I think this one’s another goal which people should challenge themselves to do. It’s a simple goal that requires little of your time on a daily basis. Think about how much more informed about environmental issues you’d be if you did this!

DAY TWELVE – No more using paper towels or hand-dryers in public bathrooms

Kyle Empringham — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:37:15 +0000

This ones might be the second hardest to remember. I think it’s just naturally in my rhythm to head for drying my hand once they’re wet. But, I definitely make the pledge to air-dry my hands when not in a bathroom that’s not in a residence.

On another note, I’m doing much better on the straw front! I keep remembering not to ask for one, and I’m glad that I remembered it. My father gave me an odd look the last time I got a drink with no straw, but once I explained it to him, he thought it was really cool. It shows how small changes are neat and can be well respected!

DAY ELEVEN – Adding an eco-friendly tip to my email signature

Kyle Empringham — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 04:12:16 +0000

I think this one’s great. I do lots of eco-writing and environmental advocacy, but I think this is a simpler, effective way to pay it forward. I highly suggest it to anyone who wants to make a small tip to your e-contacts.

DAY TEN – Setting my desktop wallpaper to black

Kyle Empringham — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:46:40 +0000

The premise behind this goal is that a black background uses less energy on your computer than, say, a brightly coloured image. On my environmental news site, The Starfish, we use a black background for that exact reason – making people save energy without them even realizing it!

However, I’m going to compromise a tad on this one. A stark-black background is a little mundane, no? So, I’m going to choose a dark-coloured image that takes less energy to produce, but still looks cool. And I think this can resonate with readers – we don’t have to make SUPER DRASTIC changes to save energy, or the environment, but we can make small ones that can add up to a big difference.

I chose a famous eco-image – a map of the world ‘at night’, showing where all the lights come from. Google it if you don’t know the one. It’s a really cool one to see.