Art for Climate Action Project Returns to Portland
Friday, November 13, 2015
GoLocalPDX Lifestyle Team
Two years ago, 1,500 Oregonians gathered in Medford to create mosaic in the shape of salmon in an effort to raise awareness about climate change and motivate change. Now, the salmon is returning to Portland.
Photo via the Salmon on the Square Facebook page
The Salmon will be assembled in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square on November 14. Organizers area asking Portland and Oregon residents to create a tile for the mosaic, demonstrating why they love Portland and Oregon and why they believe in climate action.
To create a tile, register online at OregonClimate.org. Next, find a cut out a cardboard square that measures 16” by 16” and decorate it however you like. Finally, return the tile to Pioneer Courthouse Square between 1 PM and 3 Pm on Saturday, November 14.
If you can’t make it to Pioneer Courthouse Square, you can send in your tile via mail. Simply send it to Oregon Climate, 33 SE Second Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97214.
For more information on the salmon and on climate change, visit the Oregon Climate website or the event’s Facebook page.
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Carve Fewer Jack-O-Lanter
Halloween celebrators beware! According to the U.S. Energy Department, pumpkins cause major waste issues each year on Halloween.
The majority of the 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins produced in the U.S. end up in dumps and landfills, according the Energy Department’s website, becoming part of the “more than 254 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) produced in the United States every year.”
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Compost
After you've finished using that rake to pack up your lawn's leaves, don't just throw them in the trash.
Instead, compost them! By combining the leaves with a nitrogen source such as manure, you can make a great natural fertilizer. For more info on how to start composting, click here.
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Turn Down the Thermostat
In order to save some energy (and some money) turn down your house's thermostat a few degrees this fall. You may not notice the difference, but the environment sure will.
If you're still a little cold, throw on a sweatshirt. For even more savings, turn your heat down even lower when your family leaves for work school or a vacation.
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Learn About Energy Use
For tips on how to cut down your energy usage, Amy Lodholz, Development Director at the Corvallis Environmental Center, said to check out the Communities Take Charge program.
By filling out a short survey on your habits, Communities Take Charge can give you recommendations on how to live your life in a "greener" fashion.
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Put Down The Leaf Blower
When it comes time to get all the fallen leaves off of your lawn, don't reach for your electric or gas-powered leaf blower. Appliances like those can release pollutants into the atmosphere, and that is definitely not going green.
Instead, use manual lawn tools to save energy. Nothing gets the job done better than a good, ol' fashioned rake.
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Plant Some Bulbs
Think fall is for harvesting, not for planting? Think again!
Fall is the perfect time to plant spring-flowering plants like tulips to make sure you have gorgeous flowers when warmer weather rolls around again next year. For more tips on fall planting, click here.
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Green Cleaning
Preparing for your holiday? Want to make sure your house is sparkling clean for your friends family and other guests?
Well, instead of using chemical-ridden commercial cleaners, try using homemade, all natural cleaning supplies. All you need are a few comments lemons, vinegar and baking soda. For more information, click here.
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Make Fewer Trips to the G
If you're headed to the grocery store to pick up food and supplies for your next party try to take as few trips as possible. You'll save money on gas, and have to drive less, making this a perfect way to go green.
If you can, try to get all your items at one store. This way, you'll use even less gas when shopping.
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Support Green Businesses
When you spend your "green" make sure it's with a company that goes green. By patronizing eco-friendly businesses you can put your money where your mouth is.
The Oregon Secretary of State maintains a record of "Benefit Companies," businesses who have made a legally binding sustainability obligation. To check out the list of green businesses, click here.
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Use Cloth Towels Instead
When you go to clean up the next glass of spilled milk don't cry—and don't reach for any paper towels.
Instead, try a cloth towel or rag. You can wash them repeatedly, save money on paper towels, and save the environment by creating less waste.
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Seal Drafts
To keep the cold fall wind out of your home, and keep your warm air inside, be sure to seal up any drafts around windows or doors in your house or apartment.
Drafts can do serious damage to your heating bill, and will be a major drain on energy usage, so make sure to seal them up soon. For more information on how to seal them, click here.
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Insulate Your Home
Insulation is one of the best ways to save money and energy in your home. Insulation will keep the cold air out of your home, and, better yet, keep the warm toasty air right inside your house where you want it.
If you better the insulation in your home, not only will your home be warmer, you'll go green and save money on your heating costs.
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Donate Clothes
When you take out your warm winter wares and put away your summer clothes, check to see what items no longer fit and which you no longer wear.
If you have items that are usable that you just don’t need or want anymore, don’t throw them away. Help them find a new home by connecting with people locally who want to give and get things for free.
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Walk and Bike More
There are only a few more weeks before the temperatures here in Massachusetts start to really dip to frigid numbers.
Enjoy the cool, crisp weather of fall and walk or ride your bike. You'll save on gas, save the environment, and it's good for you!
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Take Shorter Showers
Who doesn't love the feeling of a nice hot shower after spending some time outdoors in the brisk fall air?
Only one problem—those long showers waste lots of water. Try taking shorter showers in order to go green this fall.
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Opt-Out of Junk Mail
Junk mail is the worst. No one likes it, and it only serves to clutter up our homes, trash cans and landfills. But, did you know there is a way to "opt-out" of junk mail?
You can get off most unsolicited mail lists simply by calling 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688). Also, instead of browsing through catalogs, look at products online—most catalog companies publish online versions of their products, perfect for saving paper and going green.
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Car Pool
During the holiday season, there is plenty of energy to be saved on the highway by sharing rides with family members or friends headed to the same place.
Before you’re going somewhere, start thinking about who you might be able to carpool with and make arrangements so one car instead of two or three are on the road for the trip. Even if it’s just for a few miles, this adds up and can reduce gridlock and air pollution.
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Ditch Bottled Water
Everyone knows that water is the healthiest beverage option. Next time you're thirsty, instead of grabbing for a bottle of water, drink tap water out of a reusable cup or bottle.
You can buy reusable water bottles at nearly any department or home goods store, and you'll save money by not constantly paying for bottled water.
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Open Shades to Naturally
Few things can warm a room as well as the sun. Those warm rays of the sun can heat homes, even when temperatures outside begin to dip.
In order to save energy and reduce heating costs, open your shades during sunny days, even on colder days. The sun's radiation will do the work so your home heating system doesn't have to.
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Recycle Batteries
Are you an ornithology enthusiast? Do you love the sights and sounds of songbirds outside your window?
Keep your feathered friends returning to your yard by using a pinecone as a natural bird feeder. Recycle pinecones found in your yard by adding birdseed and peanut butter to your pinecone. Find more instructions here.
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Use Pinecones as Natural
Are you an ornithology enthusiast? Do you love the sights and sounds of songbirds outside your window?
Keep your feathered friends returning to your yard by using a pinecone as a natural bird feeder. Recycle pinecones found in your yard by adding birdseed and peanut butter to your pinecone. Find more instructions here.
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Reusable Lunch Boxes
Do you send your kids off every day with their lunch in a brown paper bag? Try using a reusable lunch box instead to cut down on waste.
Even after middle and high schoolers have grown out of using their favorite superhero lunch box, there are plenty of subtle and understated designs to complement their style.
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Don't Dry Clean Only
Surprisingly, dry cleaning is far more harmful to the environment than your standard load of laundry done in a conventional washing machine.
If you have clothes that can be machined washed rather than dry cleaning, try giving them a run through the washer. And, if you're in the market for a new wardrobe, don't buy clothes with the "dry-clean only" label on them.
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Schedule an Energy Audit
Want to know exactly how much energy you could be saving? Then schedule a home energy audit. You can learn about opportunities for making your home more energy efficient and affordable.
Many of the energy efficiency measures you can take are available at a heavily reduced price (i.e. 75% off), thanks to incentives.
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Eat Less Meat
Unbeknownst to most people, meat requires a far larger ecological footprint to produce than fruits and vegetables.
Next time you plan a family dinner, try cooking with more vegetables and less meat. You'll save the environment and cook a healthier meal.
