Could you do it? In the next 3 weeks I am going to test myself like never before by changing my current lifestyle, to be much more eco-friendly. I am giving up; the dryer to dry my clothes after I wash them, the television, and warm water including: showers and baths; and 3 reusable plastic items: plastic wrap, plastic bags and plastic water bottles. I have chosen to give up these 4 luxuries for many reasons.
You may wonder why I am choosing to cut out 4 luxuries; well each item has a different reason. I am giving up clothes dryers, because although dryers are around 17 % more efficient today than they were 21 years ago they are still the appliance which consumes the most energy per average home. Weekly I use this appliance for two loads of laundry, this mean my dryer is been used 104 times a year by 1 person in a household of five. It easy to take wet clothes and throw them into the dryer, but hanging your clothes reduces energy consumption.
In my home the television is on for 3-4 hours every night. My family over-uses our televisions, i believe we waste energy. Every year billions of dollars are spent on research to find energy sources with less impact, and more energy efficient appliances. I have decided to simply turn off my television and clothes dryer.
Plastic bags, plastic wrap, and water bottles are filling our already bursting landfills. It is time that I begin to use reusable containers and bottles. I can reduce waste. Another thing I can reduce are my very long, very hot showers. Taking cold showers will also help me take shorter showers and in turn reduce water consumption. Only 3% of the water in the world is freshwater yet our populations of 7 billion rely on fresh water for produce, drinking water, hygiene etc.
My actions are not measurable compared to the entire world, but I believe in the saying “it all starts somewhere”. I will be giving up 4 luxuries for the next three weeks and if possible to sustain I shall continue my challenge.
There is only one rule for the upcoming 3 weeks. It’s simple: No. I am not allowed to use any of these items, and there are no exceptions. If another member is using the dryer I cannot add an item whether it is an emergency or not. If the television is being used by my family I can’t watch not even if I’m in the same room. I cannot take a warm shower or bath, and my pool will not be heated so that I may swim in it. I can’t drink out of a plastic bottle, with the exception (I know there are no exceptions) to Gatorade on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday for life purpose.
I believe I will find every aspect of this environmental lifestyle change difficult because I use all of these luxuries on a regular basis. Not using the dryer will require more time, effort and hangers, but I believe it is possible. Sacrificing TV privileges for 3 weeks will be difficult because So You think You Can Dance season 8 begins this week, and my family is always around the TV therefore I will have to avoid the kitchen and family room. During the next three weeks I must take the time to pack a lunch and fill a bottle instead of rushing out with food in plastic bags and a plastic water bottle. No warm water will be the most challenging change because this week I will be sore and exhausted and a warm shower will be extremely tempting.
Wish me luck!
