Filter Your Water

The benefits of filtering water have been touted for many years. Recent discoveries and improved technologies are making it easier and also proving that there are even more reasons to be concerned by what is coming out of your tap.

Researchers recently discovered that many city water supplies actually have traces of prescription drugs in them. This is most likely caused by people flushing old medications down the toilet. While the idea is good (it keeps the medication from getting into other people’s hands) it has had unexpected consequences.

People now have to worry about the medications AND the chemicals that may be clouding their water supply. Having a simple filtration system will limit your exposure to the different negative elements.

New technologies have also benefited consumers. There are now portable filtration systems (built into water bottles) that make it possible to have filtered water where ever you are AND to limit your contributions to the waste products piling up in dumps around the world.

There are now more reasons than ever to filter your water – in your home and on the go. Filtering your water can be simple and fairly inexpensive to insure that your water is the safest it can be, cut your costs by no longer having to purchase bottled water and helping to save the environment.

My husband and I have always wanted to be self sustaining and just a bit green in our home.  Not because we are afraid of the government or because we are hiding from society, but mostly because we thought it would save us money in the long run. 

The other day, I saw a story on one of the home improvement channels (just can’t remember which one right now) and it ran again today so my husband had a chance to see it.  They showed “earthship” homes and I immediately fell in love with the concept.  My husband was more focused on the possible costs involved, but that’s the pessimist in him coming though.

Living green doesn’t have to mean giving up modern conveniences.  These homes had microwaves, refrigerators, and running water.  The great thing about them is that they are self sustaining.  Y2K wouldn’t have even caused these homeowners to break a sweat.  Inside the homes, they can grow food.  Outside the home, the house itself gathers water and energy for the daily tasks inside.

My only hold up is the look.  If they can figure out a way to get the self sustaining elements into an 1800’s Victorian then I will be the first to sign up.  Fortunately for me (and others who aren’t too keen on living in a house that will definitely draw stares) there are alternatives available. 

Living green doesn’t have to be obvious or ugly anymore.  Green architecture is developing a flare for style AND conservation.  My day may not be as far away as it once seemed.

There are things in the environment that can kill you.  The smart thing to do would be to outlaw as much of the dangerous items as possible.  Some people are already pushing us in that direction - trying to outlaw smoking, guns, fast foods, and fat altogether. 

Now the local science fair is getting in on the act.  A high school student won the top prize with his petition to outlaw dihydrogen monoxide.  It can be some of the most dangerous stuff if used incorrectly, and it even contributes to erosion causing billions of dollars in damage each year.  I guess it should be outlawed.

There is just one problem.  The chemical his petition refers to is water.   And although water can be dangerous when used improperly, I hardly think that outlawing its use could help anyone and in the end it would probably kill even more people – especially given that we are 80% water.

It makes me wonder how much of the concern that is placed on all the “bad” things in this world is just hype created by the media, special interest groups, Hollywood, and politicians.  Maybe instead of outlawing everything, we should find ways to use the resources we have in a responsible manner that is beneficial for all involved.

McDonald’s in not exactly known for the healthy choices it offers its customers or the eco-friendly impact it has on the environment.  Best known for the golden arches and the Big Mac and grease, McDonald’s is working hard to change its image.

The company is beginning to make its waste cooking oil into biodiesel fuel for powering up its trucking fleet in Europe.  It will take almost an entire year to get the whole fleet converted.

I admire the corporate world for looking to creative ways to help the environment, but I can’t help but wonder if there is more in it for them.  I have a friend that owns a car run on waste cooking oil.  It smells a lot like what’s been cooking.  Now imagine an entire fleet of trucks driving around the region smelling like fries.  It could be almost as bad as the sound of the ice cream truck.

Still, the conversion of the McDonald’s fleet (according to their own figures) will save almost 2,000 tons of carbon.  Since it will also help the company by cutting the cost of shipping (because of the reducing in fuel purchases), I can only dream that it will also reduce the cost of my next run through the drive through.

Going green has its appeal, but there are some things that I refuse to give up.  There has been a time when my family has gone without running water or an electric oven or air conditioning.  It was never all at the same time, and it was never for more than a couple of weeks.  It was also something I would never CHOOSE to do.

Over the last few months I’ve been reading about “carbon offsetting” that is suppose to mitigate my greenhouse gas emissions.  Al Gore is the best example of this new fad.  He has been praised and condemned for choosing to have his luxurious estate in Tennessee, but to pay for carbon offsetting to justify his own indulgences. 

Carbon offsetting companies charge “environment conscious” individuals a fee to allow them to go on with their lifestyle without having to worry about the effect that lifestyle is having.  These companies are best known for the tree planting they do on behalf of their clients.  My only question is, “Are you kidding me?”  If someone is serious about cutting the effect they have on the environment, does it really count to pay someone else to plant a few trees?

I’m teaching my kids to be good stewards over the land.  We live in the woods and we protect and maintain the trees that we have.  We turn off the lights when we don’t need them, and we turn the air conditioning up when we aren’t home.  If we ever feel that we are causing too much carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases in the world, then we will just eat fewer beans and plant a couple of trees ourselves.

Welcome to Green Road - this is just the start post, but hopefully I’ll have more up very soon indeed.