&
Boost Your Bottom Line
The Air In There
The various ways going green can save consumers money
How to maintain indoor air quality all year long
On the Road to a Healthier Planet How to become a more eco-friendly motorist
a blank slate media / litmor publications special section • april 19, 2019
38 Guide to Earth Day & Green Living • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, April 19, 2019
Ways to reduce carbon footprint Landscaping can improve look of your homeo and reduce consumption, expenses Earth Day is not only an annual celebration of environmental awareness, but a much-needed reminder to do our part in keeping the planet healthy and inhabitable for future generations. As a landscape architect at Harrison Design, I’m always mindful of integrating ways to reduce our carbon footprint, even in our own backyards. Plant a tree. Planting a shade tree, such as an oak or maple, on the southern side of a residence provides shelter from the heat during the summer, eectively reducing energy usage and cooling costs. In addition, large trees provide sanctuary to wildlife. Don’t fear bees — save them. Bees play a pivotal role in the lifecycle of most of the world’s plants, owers and crops, as they provide the cross-pollination necessary for plants to reproduce and thrive. Planting a mix of long-blooming perennials, such as sedum, beebalm and zinnias, provides bees with a longer collecting season — and adds a wonderful seasonal pop of color to your garden. Capture rainwater for irrigation. Using rainwater as a means of natural irrigation is an excellent way to reduce water use. While you can invest in a more sophisticated water collecting system such as an underground cistern, a simple rain bar-
clean contaminated soils sediments and water. This is a cost-eective way to reduce the toxic eects of contaminants in the environment, such as lead, cadmium chromium and arsenic. Mustard plants, sunowers and switchgrass are all local examples. Replace or reduce your lawn. Consider synthetic turf or alternative seed-blend lawns that require less water, fertilizer and overall upkeep. Front lawns especially are rarely used and are an excellent opportunity to experiment with dierent lowmaintenance grasses. Plant a vegetable garden. Transporting food has an adverse environmental impact. An extremely eective, and rewarding, way to reduce your carbon footprint is to grow many of your herbs and vegetables in your backyard. As an additional beneďŹ t, you control what chemicals come in contact with your crops.
PHOTO BY EMILY FOLLOWILL
rel attached to a roof leader allows water storage for times of drought, considerably reducing the cost of traditional irrigation. Limit paving. It’s crucial to limit the amount of outdoor paved surfaces to allow the ground to absorb as much rainwater as possible. Permeable paving limits surface runo and allows rain through to replenish the underground aquifers. Go native. Native plants are already
acclimated to your surroundings and require less care than non-native species. Local plants survive on the existing climate’s rainfall without demanding additional irrigation. Examples of plants native to the New York area are junipers, blueberries, shadbush, ornamental grasses and pine trees. Phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is the use of particular plant species to
Joseph Piscitelli is Design Director for Landscape Architecture at Harrison Design, a national architecture ďŹ rm that specializes in high-end residential architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture, which has an oďŹƒce at 1047 Old Northern Blvd. in Roslyn. For more information, go to www. harrisondesign.com or call 516-626-2800.
TIME TO EARN ON YOUR TERMS
5 – MONTH CD
2.40
14 – MONTH CD
% APY
$2,500 minimum
2.50
%
1
to open and earn interest.
APY
$500 minimum
1
to open and earn interest.
Earn with the term that meets your savings goal. ") $& 2 344 4356575.
1
! " " " " # $% "
" & ' ( ) ' ) * " " + " ' " ,-./0 ) ' $ " & '
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, April 19, 2019 • Guide to Earth Day & Green Living
7UDQVIRUP \RXU KRXVH LQWR \RXU GUHDP KRPH
6HUYLFHV LQFOXGH VLGLQJ PDVRQU\ DQG GULYHZD\V NLWFKHQV EDWKURRPV EDVHPHQWV DQG DQ\WKLQJ HOVH \RX FDQ LPDJLQH
x£È® n£Ç n£nx ÜÜÜ° `iÛi «iÀðV `>Þ À `>Þ\ > x« N ->ÌÕÀ`>Þ\ £ä> {« -Õ `>Þ\ Ãi`
4GEGKXG C FKUEQWPV QP DCVJTQQO TGOQFGNKPI CPF EWUVQO ENQUGVU YJGP [QW ECNN WU CPF OGPVKQP VJKU CF
39
40 Guide to Earth Day & Green Living • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, April 19, 2019 ADVERTORIAL
! " # $ " % & ' ( Earth Day began in 1970 as a nationwide expression of a shared belief: that we must do more to protect the planet that gave us all life. Within a decade of
achieved milestones including the establishment of the Environmental
is proud to be powering progress ! " with its customers to create a
" # Renewable Energy working to support New York $ " # !
%&& percent carbon-free by 2040. This globally unprecedented ramp-up of renewable energy will include '# #( ) *$ !! + &&& " 2035 and doubling distributed solar ( " , &&& " by 2025. ) * ( " of renewables with more rooftop solar than anywhere else in the " offshore wind power than anywhere
$ " ! planners is working hard to ensure # # also securing the most equitable prices for our customers. #
* # # ! we are also proud to have partnered with our customers to reduce their electrical consumption— and our reliance on existing carbon-producing power plants. / ( and business customers and schools have upgraded lighting 6 # # (( ! and completed other energy
! " an estimated 1.4 billion kilowatt # ! 8 % ;&%< ! =
'# ! ( %>; ,<? homes for one year.
Leading the state in renewable energy. the future by expanding the use of alternative fuel vehicles in our @
# ( # A B $ also developing new programs to support customer use of electric vehicles. We recently conducted an in-depth study of the electric " * C $ " ! about these vehicles that can help $ " # carbon emissions goals and save " F G ! state in the adoption of electric ! ;&%> # , ?&& charging ability were on the road G ( accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and help meet $ " with a combination of measures including incentives for vehicle !!A( * # and grid strengthening to support the added load of residential vehicle chargers.
Just like the environmental " " ! ! $ ! species has come a long way since the 1970s. Thanks to the spread ! 6 " ( became critically endangered in the mid-20th century. The sharp-eyed birds of prey have " "
* "" to keeping them on the path to I $ # of our way to relocate osprey nests when we discover them on top of utility poles. The loose ! $ large wingspan can both create contact points with high-voltage
'# (" # ! # K# ! crews also sprang into action to provide extra insulation around the poles in Centerport where a ( ! @ K#
@
skills. Whether it means installing
6 # above the lines or moving it to ( our crews work closely with state wildlife experts to make sure we can live harmoniously with our feathered neighbors.
dedicated to helping improve the communities we serve. This
Week from April 15-22 with a green-minded show of force. C# ! employee volunteers will complete
# ( K across our service area. I # # ( works all year round to deliver the greener future all B you a very happy Earth Day and encourage you to learn more by visiting www.psegliny.com.
• With existing incentives on electric vehicles and workplace is on pace to achieve about %%, &&& ;&;? B H "# ( # #(( # " ;;; &&& on the road by 2025. Employees who really “digâ€? going green.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, April 19, 2019 • Guide to Earth Day & Green Living
Maintain indoor air quality all year long
M
illions of people anxiously anticipate the arrival of spring. Months spent cooped up indoors as temperatures outside dip below freezing can take their toll, and those first warm, sunny days of spring can be just what people need to kick the winter blues. Winter can be dreary for people confined to indoors as temperatures drop, and poor air quality in a home can add to that dreariness while adversely affecting individuals’ health. Air quality tends to suffer most in winter, but there are ways to ensure the air inside a home stays healthy all year long. Inspect and address any sources of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an invisible, odorless gas that can contribute to poor indoor air quality and a host of health problems if it goes undetected in a home. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, potential sources of CO in a home include improperly vented natural gas appliances, such as stoves and water heaters, gaspowered tools that are used indoors, clogged chimneys, or blocked heating exhaust vents. Men and women can periodically inspect potential sources of CO and address any issues they find while also making sure all CO detectors are properly installed and functioning optimally. Inspect HVAC ducts. Ductwork is used to deliver warm or cool air in homes with heating and air conditioning systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to the duct surfaces without ever entering living spaces. However, the EPA notes that homeowners should consider having
their ducts cleaned if an inspection uncovers substantial visible mold growth. In addition, the EPA recommends homeowners consider cleaning if ducts are infested with vermin or clogged with excessive amounts of dust or debris. Avoid chemical cleaning products. Chemical cleaning products may be great at disinfecting dishes, countertops and other areas in the home, but such items may be toxic and adversely affect indoor air quality. For example, chemicals such as bleach and ammonia, which are used in many commercial cleaning products, can linger in the air, irritating the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Homeowners concerned about the quality of air in their homes also can avoid scented products, such as air fresheners and scented detergents, which the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health notes may release volatile organic compounds into the air. Inspect bathrooms for mold growth. Mold can grow on surfaces that are routinely wet, and that makes poorly ventilated bathrooms common sources for home mold infestations. Mold can adversely affect indoor air quality when mold spores are released, potentially triggering allergic reactions, asthma attacks and respiratory conditions. After bathing in bathrooms without vents, men and women can open windows so the room dries before mold can grow. In bathrooms with vents, make sure vents are running during baths and showers and afterward until ceilings, walls and floors appear dry. Poor indoor air quality can be easily addressed to ensure individuals stay healthy throughout the year.
Using drones to inspect the energy grid. One of the many ways we’re using smart technology to prevent outages before they happen.
PSEGLINY.com
Ducts may need to be serviced by professionals in homes where indoor air quality is poor.
41
42 Guide to Earth Day & Green Living • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, April 19, 2019
The various ways going green
saves consumers money M
any people adopt eco-friendly practices in an effort to protect and preserve the planet. But going green can be as good for adults’ pocketbooks as it is for the planet. People who start making concerted efforts to go green are often surprised to learn the myriad ways they are suddenly saving money. While finances might not be the primary motivator that compels people to start living more eco-friendly lifestyles, recognizing the many ways that going green can save consumers money might be just what people need to keep them on track in their efforts to help the planet. On the road Drivers who alter their driving habits can save money in various ways. Defensive driving has long been touted as
poorly maintained, thereby conserving fuel. Lighting
Furnishing a home with antiques can protect the planet and may even save homeowners money. the safest way to take to the road, but such an approach to driving also can be financially savvy. Drivers who do not frequently accelerate or stop suddenly can conserve fuel, saving them money at the filling station. In addi-
tion, following manufacturerrecommended maintenance guidelines can ensure all vehicle components are operating smoothly. That means the engine does not have to work as hard as it would if a vehicle was
Household lighting is another area where consumers can protect the planet and save money at the same time. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star®-qualified LED lights consume just 20 to 25 percent of the energy used by incandescent bulbs, all the while lasting as much as 25 times longer than incandescents. That saves men and women money on their energy bills. While LED lights are more expensive to purchase than many of the alternatives, their long life expectancy means consumers can expect to see returns on that investment long before the bulbs are no longer functional.
Furnishings Another way to go green and save money is to forgo new furnishings for used furniture or antiques. Some antiques might prove more expensive than brand new items, but savvy shoppers can likely find older, less costly items for a fraction of the price of brand new furnishings. Buying used furniture or antiques reduces landfill waste and cuts back on manufacturing, packaging and transportation, each of which can take a toll on the planet. Consumers who need new furnishings for their homes also can look for products made of recycled materials, which reduces landfill waste, or items made from eco-friendly materials that grow quickly, thereby reducing the need for pesticides. Going green is a commendable way to live and safeguard the planet. Adopting such a lifestyle also can be a great way to save money.
How to be an
eco-friendly
motorist
D
riving is not often categorized as an eco-friendly activity. But driving is often the most reliable transportation option for people who live outside of cities or in areas without accessible public transportation. Eco-friendly motorists who need to drive can employ various strategies to reduce their carbon footprints while behind the wheel. Plan trips in advance. In lieu of making several separate trips in a vehicle, plan ahead and use car trips to accomplish more than one goal. For example, resolve to do some grocery shopping on your way home from the gym, or order takeout when leaving your office so you won’t have to go back out to pick up dinner after arriving home. Combining tasks into a single car trip is a more efficient use of time and fuel.
Adhere to vehicle maintenance recommendations. Auto manufacturers recommend vehicles be taken in for routine maintenance at certain intervals. Some manufacturers may recommend drivers have their vehicles’ oil changed every 3,000 miles, while others may advise tires be rotated every 5,000 miles. Drivers should learn these guidelines and adhere to them, as sticking to maintenance schedules can help vehicles operate more smoothly and efficiently, conserving fuel as a result. Become an eco-conscious car buyer. When buying their cars, many motorists choose the most vehicle they can afford or a car or truck they have long wanted to drive. But the biggest or prettiest vehicle may not be the most practical, especially for drivers who want to reduce their carbon footprints.
Drivers who want their driving to be as eco-friendly as possible should choose vehicle models that suit their needs and driving habits. If the bulk of your driving is commuting alone to work, then a small, fuel-efficient vehicle may be more eco-friendly and practical than a large SUV. Investigate electric cars and hybrid models to determine if either option is suited to your driving habits.
Carpool to work. Working professionals who work in large office complexes can no doubt find neighbors with whom they can carpool. Begin by posing a carpool to coworkers, expanding your search to nearby businesses if coworkers are lukewarm to the idea. Carpools not only save fuel, but also can be a great for drivers to extend the life expectancies of their vehicles.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, April 19, 2019 • Guide to Earth Day & Green Living
T Easy ways to
conserve water Showers consume considerably less water than baths.
he are a number of reasons to conserve water, but perhaps none is more urgent or compelling than the role water plays in human survival. Water.org notes than human beings can survive for weeks without food but only make it a few days without water. What’s more, the foods humans eat, namely plants and animals, require water to survive. The world’s supply of fresh water is dwindling, a troubling notion on its own, and even more so when considering the human population is only growing. In fact, the World Water Council estimates that the world’s population will grow by as much as 50 percent in the next half-century. Such a reality only highlights the need to conserve water. Though the growing global water shortage is a complex problem, the many ways people can conserve water are quite simple. Change your diet. Reducing consumption of livestock and poultry in favor of vegetables can help people dramatically reduce their water consumption. According to the Grace Communications Foundation (GRACE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a more sustainable food system, livestock and poultry produced in the United States consume substantial amounts of waterintensive feed. By reducing consumption of such products, consumers can greatly reduce their water footprints.
The perils of
bottled water A
ccording to The Water Project, a nonprofit organization that provides reliable water projects to communities in sub-Saharan Africa, the environmental cost of the consumption of bottled water has led some communities in both the United States and Canada to consider banning its sale. The Santa Clara Valley Water District estimates that 80 percent of all single-use water bottles used in the U.S. ultimately become litter. Many of those bottles ultimately end up in landfills, where they can spend several hundred years decomposing. But plastic water bottles are not just harmful to the planet postproduction. The environmental group One Green Planet notes that the production and transportation of plastic bottles, which are made from a petroleum product known as polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, require incredible amounts of fossil fuels. While consumers might feel simply recycling the bottles is enough to offset the environmental cost of their production and transport, it’s important to note that not all plastic can be recycled, and while plastic bottles are generally considered recyclable, not all of them actually are. Consumers concerned about their bottled water consumption should know that reusable water bottles are not only more eco-friendly, but also much more cost-effective.
When eating meat, dairy and eggs, GRACE recommends opting for pasture-raised products that feed on grass, which is less likely to be irrigated than water-needy food sources like corn and soybeans that are fed to many commercially produced livestock and poultry. Reduce water consumption when cooking. When cooking, some cooks might find it convenient to keep faucets running so they can more easily rinse foods and their hands. However, such practices are incredibly wasteful, as substantial amounts of water literally goes down the drain when faucets are running unattended. In addition, homeowners can install low-flow faucets in their sinks, which GRACE notes typically flow at 1.5 gallons per minute instead of the five gallons per minute of more traditional faucets. Take showers instead of baths. Baths might feel like just what the doctor ordered after a long day, but baths are considerably more wasteful than showers. GRACE estimates that the average bath can require as many as 50 gallons of water, while a 10-minute shower under a low-flow showerhead requires roughly half that amount of water. Take your conservation efforts outside. Water conservation efforts need not be confined to indoors. Homeowners who pride themselves on having
43
lush green lawns can still produce envious landscapes while conserving water. When watering a lawn, do so in the early morning hours or early evening. Temperatures tend to be more mild during these hours than in the middle of the day, meaning less water will be lost to evaporation. Consider the weather when watering the lawn as well. If wind is in the forecast, turn off automatic sprinklers and hand water if absolutely necessary. Gusty winds increase water loss due to evaporation and prevent water from getting to the lawn. In addition, if the forecast is predicting rain, turn off automatic sprinklers and let nature water the lawn instead. Take steps to conserve energy. Water plays a vital role in the production of energy, so taking steps to conserve energy can go a long way toward reducing your water footprint. When buying new appliances, opt for energy-efficient products. Homeowners can investigate renewable energy sources such as solar energy, which can dramatically reduce their carbon footprints while conserving substantial amounts of water over the long haul. The need to conserve water is urgent. But as complex a problem as the dwindling world water supply is, the efforts to solve that problem through conservation can be simple.
44 Guide to Earth Day & Green Living • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, April 19, 2019
The benefits
of choosing solar energy H
ome improvement trends come and go. What’s popular among today’s homeowners may feel dated to prospective buyers a decade from now. But solar energy is one home improvement trend that does not figure to go the way of sunken living rooms or popcorn ceilings. According to the Solar Energies Industry Association®, solar energy experienced a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 percent between 2006 and 2016. Solar energy has also done wonders to improve the employment rate. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, in the United States there were more than 260,000 solar workers in 2016, an increase of 25 percent from the previous year. Things are equally rosy in Canada, where the Government of Canada reports installed capacity for solar thermal power has experienced a compound growth rate of nearly 14 percent since 2004. The search for a renewable energy source has led many people to embrace solar energy, but there are many more reasons for homeowners to embrace going solar. Return on investment: Many people considering solar energy for the first time may experience some sticker shock when they learn the cost of installing solar panels on their homes. But data from the EnergySage Solar Marketplace indicated that, in the first half of 2015, solar shoppers who compared their options achieved payback
Spending time with kids in the great outdoors can instill a love of nature in youngsters that compels them to embrace ecofriendly practices throughout the rest of their lives.
on their solar investments in 7.5 years. So in addition to the monthly savings on their utility bills, homeowners can expect to recoup their solar energy investments in a relatively short period of time. Property value: Whether they plan to do so in the near or distant future, homeowners with an eye on selling their homes may be interested to learn that a recent study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab found that solar panels can significantly increase property value. The study analyzed the sales of more than 20,000 homes in California, Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania, suggesting the desire for solar energy among prospective buyers is not exclusive to a particular region of the country. Energy independence: According to the U.S. Energy Administration, most of the energy consumed in the United States comes from fossil fuels like petroleum. The EIA also notes that, in 2016, the United States imported about 10.1 million barrels of petroleum per day. By embracing solar energy, Americans and citizens of any country that relies heavily on foreign oil imports, can take a big step toward increasing their energy independence. The use of solar energy is on the rise, and there are many reasons for homeowners to embrace this increasingly popular energy source.
How youngsters
can go green C
hildren often aspire to emulate their parents. Young boys who see their fathers shaving might reach for dad’s shaving cream, while young girls may find their way into mom’s closet in an effort to dress up like their mothers. Kids’ curiosity may be similarly piqued when they see their parents going green. Parents who reduce, reuse and recycle are setting positive examples for their kids, who may inquire about the ways they can follow suit. While going green might not seem like the most kid-friendly activity, there are myriad ways for parents to involve children in their efforts to live eco-friendly lifestyles. Donate clothing and toys. Children outgrow their clothing pretty quickly. Rather than discarding items kids can no longer wear, parents can take tots along to donation centers or thrift stores to show them how their clothes can be reused. Use this as an opportunity to teach kids how donating or recycling old items cuts down on the need to use natural resources to create new items. Do the same with toys, which kids tend to outgrow almost as quickly as their clothing. Bike to school. Stay-at-home parents, telecommuters or those who have time to escort their children to and from school can bike to school with their children. Teach them how biking in lieu of driving helps to conserve fuel and how such conservation benefits the planet. If biking is not an option due to weather or distance, parents can organize carpools, teaching kids how traveling together instead of individually helps to conserve fuel.
Avoid plastic water bottles. Plastic water bottles might seem more convenient because they don’t need to be washed after using them, but the environmental organization Clean Up Australia notes that plastic bottles, many of which are derived from crude oil, generate enormous amounts of waste that ultimately end up in landfills. In addition, the transportation of such bottles from factories to store shelves requires the burning of significant amounts of fossil fuels. Take kids along to the store to purchase their own reusable water bottle, explaining to them how they’re doing their part to protect the planet by choosing reusable bottles over bottled water. Visit the library. Young children who love to read can borrow books from the library rather than asking mom and dad to purchase their own copies at the bookstore. Explain how borrowing cuts down on the need for paper, which helps preserve forests and reduce waste. Spend more time in the great outdoors. Many parents want their children to spend more time outdoors and less time on the couch playing video games or watching television. Parents can make an effort to spend more time outdoors with their children engaging in fun activities like hiking, camping or fishing. Such excursions can instill a love and appreciation for nature in youngsters, and that love can compel them to a lifetime of protecting the planet and conserving its resources. Kids who want to follow their parents’ example and go green can do so in various ways, many of which are as fun as they are eco-friendly.