News from 'Cool Planet' Working Group: First Presbyterian Palo Alto
The Cool Planet Working Group at First Pres. Palo Alto is primarily focused on trying to green our facility. However, another ongoing task we've taken on is a column in our monthly church newsletter called "One habit at a time: tips on gradually changing to a more sustainable lifestyle." Here is the first column:
In Advent many of you tried Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. This month we’re asking you to consider those oh-so-convenient plastic water bottles. Can we be hydrated and environmentally-friendly too?!
Consider the following: Article from the UK Independent .
Many environmentalists are questioning whether we need to be buying so many products in the first place, and say bottled water is a case in point. One recent study by the US-based Earth Policy Institute estimated that bottled water is 10,000 times more environmentally damaging than tap water because of the effort involved in extraction, packaging and transportation. The US's second most imported brand, Fiji, is shipped around the world from the middle of the South Pacific. Yet global sales of bottled water have leapt by 57 per cent in a decade, to 154 billion litres in 2004.
"Why not drink from the tap?" suggested Anna Watson, of Friends of the Earth. "We should celebrate the fact that we have fantastic drinking water in this country. We ask: do you need that product and do you need that packaging?"
Even if we recycle and occasionally reuse these bottles, they are still costly to the environment.
Consider switching to refillable hard-plastic or lightweight stainless steel containers. There are some health concerns about certain plastics, especially after they’ve been in the dishwasher see Article from the Sierra Club . We’re recommending the following alternative, available from KLEAN KANTEEN and tested by Susan Chamberlain and family!
Product Features:
-Durable, ultralight electropolished #304 stainless steel
-Toxin-free and non-leaching, clean tasting (hot or cold)
-Bottle is dishwasher safe
-Available in varying sizes and with various tops
In Advent many of you tried Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. This month we’re asking you to consider those oh-so-convenient plastic water bottles. Can we be hydrated and environmentally-friendly too?!
Consider the following: Article from the UK Independent .
Many environmentalists are questioning whether we need to be buying so many products in the first place, and say bottled water is a case in point. One recent study by the US-based Earth Policy Institute estimated that bottled water is 10,000 times more environmentally damaging than tap water because of the effort involved in extraction, packaging and transportation. The US's second most imported brand, Fiji, is shipped around the world from the middle of the South Pacific. Yet global sales of bottled water have leapt by 57 per cent in a decade, to 154 billion litres in 2004.
"Why not drink from the tap?" suggested Anna Watson, of Friends of the Earth. "We should celebrate the fact that we have fantastic drinking water in this country. We ask: do you need that product and do you need that packaging?"
Even if we recycle and occasionally reuse these bottles, they are still costly to the environment.
Consider switching to refillable hard-plastic or lightweight stainless steel containers. There are some health concerns about certain plastics, especially after they’ve been in the dishwasher see Article from the Sierra Club . We’re recommending the following alternative, available from KLEAN KANTEEN and tested by Susan Chamberlain and family!
Product Features:
-Durable, ultralight electropolished #304 stainless steel
-Toxin-free and non-leaching, clean tasting (hot or cold)
-Bottle is dishwasher safe
-Available in varying sizes and with various tops
posted by CIPL Blogger at
3:48 PM
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