Happy first day of Summer

[victorrey]

So I don't know what it's like everyplace else but here in the SF bay area we are definetly feeling the first day of summer. Problem is in the past 15 years or so we haven't had a normal weather patern. It either seems to be really hot or cold and rainy. The days of the mildly predictable weather seem to be gone, and I'm sure we all know why. Global warming is something that I truly believe we should all try helping to stop. I know there area other big problems in the world. I work at the aidswalk office, and I know there is also a world poverty problem, and many othe problem (really too many to mention). Yet when you think about it if we don't take care of the enviroment then the other problems don't exsist either because there is really no place left to have them.
So I was just wondering what other people are doing?
Here are a few things that I do but I could use more ideas too.

I walk to the store around the corner when I'm only buying a few items in stead of having my roommate drive me.

On the days my roommate is off from work (we work at the same place about 40 miles from where we live) I take the bus to the train and come to work in stead of having him drive me to the train station.

On really cold nights in stead of turning up the heater (we keep it at 60 during the winter) I get an extra blanket or put on a sweater.

I rarely use paper towels or napkins at home I use wash cloths, or fabric napkins.

I would love to hear any ideas or anything that other people do.

[wild-in-tent]

With the scorcher we are having this summer PHEW! man is it hot....breaking records all over the place and California is having a horrible heatwave...since we are up here I can only imagine how bad it is for you....
One problem is electricity outages due to air conditioners....
we save up pop bottles and water bottles and fill them half full and put them in the freezer then add water when we pull them out....this keeps everyone hydrated and cooler, also I use plant misting bottles to spritz the kids to cool them down...
putting on screen doors so that you can open the doors and air the house out is best too....cutting back on the fans is a hard thing to do but one central large fan is better than 3 or 4 smaller ones....and we only use it to cool the house down enough to be comfy....
Lots of trips to the lake with sunscreen in tow is a good idea too or the waterparks or pool. This again eliminates people in houses using up electricity with air conditioners.
I have adopted some ideas from ie Mid East countries and India....who use waterparks, ice cream, iced fruit drinks and also they say putting a cold wet cloth on the back of your neck works wonders....we used to put crushed ice in ziplock baggies and use those....old fashioned fans lol! alot of it is having shade and more shade type trees need to be planted especially in areas where there is too much of a concrete jungle...in more desert type climes one should plant trees that are able to survive in the heat....possibly the overseas varieties....Good old Watermelon has long been a hydration tool in Asia and the Middle East....sick of red? Buy yellow watermelon...it keeps the kids interested and makes nice party trays....
Time to invest in flex cars like Brazil has.....
Use your bicycles more and recycle everything...for those who don't have the service...take it in yourself...there is money to be made there....
In winter.....I do alot of baking lol....keeps the house warm and cozy and smelling lovely and my guests appreciate it.....lots of stews too....and yes triple blankets. I find wearing gloves works too and slippers ...I get oversize ones and socks too and good old flannel nightclothes.....I might look scary but I am warm....

Originally Posted by victorrey

So I don't know what it's like everyplace else but here in the SF bay area we are definetly feeling the first day of summer. Problem is in the past 15 years or so we haven't had a normal weather patern. It either seems to be really hot or cold and rainy. The days of the mildly predictable weather seem to be gone, and I'm sure we all know why. Global warming is something that I truly believe we should all try helping to stop. I know there area other big problems in the world. I work at the aidswalk office, and I know there is also a world poverty problem, and many othe problem (really too many to mention). Yet when you think about it if we don't take care of the enviroment then the other problems don't exsist either because there is really no place left to have them.
So I was just wondering what other people are doing?
Here are a few things that I do but I could use more ideas too.

I walk to the store around the corner when I'm only buying a few items in stead of having my roommate drive me.

On the days my roommate is off from work (we work at the same place about 40 miles from where we live) I take the bus to the train and come to work in stead of having him drive me to the train station.

On really cold nights in stead of turning up the heater (we keep it at 60 during the winter) I get an extra blanket or put on a sweater.

I rarely use paper towels or napkins at home I use wash cloths, or fabric napkins.

I would love to hear any ideas or anything that other people do.