Celebrate Earth Day

This Earth Day, I could pass along “green” tips on how to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint, but I will save that for another time. Instead, let me make a suggestion: go OUTSIDE this weekend! Take your dog for a walk, plant a vegetable garden, play outdoor games with your children, visit a local park, take a hike and look for wildlife, or just sit in the sun and appreciate its warmth (with appropriate sunscreen, of course).


If you are a bit more ambitious, visit an Earth Day Festival near you – the Richmond Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 23 in the New Manchester District on the south end of the 14th Street Bridge. Streets will be blocked off and filled with artists, vendors, farmers and fun activities for all ages.

You could also visit the Science Museum of Virginia and explore the energy exhibits, such as New Energy Virginia, Watt Wall, Virginia Tech Solar House and others. When you are ready to get off your feet, enjoy a breathtaking film in the IMAX Dome. And don’t forget the popcorn!

Happy Earth Day, y’all!

What one light bulb can do...

If you replaced one incandescent light bulb with a CFL, you would save enough energy to watch TV for 429 hours, watch 215 DVDs or play a video game for 201 hours.

If 1000 people joined you, you could power a roller coaster for 34 days, power a shopping mall for 31 days or power Alaska for 8 hours.

More energy facts at the Energy Generator: http://www.willyoujoinus.com/usingenergywisely/energygenerator/?gclid=CKOi6rTRjagCFcPd4AodWDCxDQ

Question of the Week

Gas prices are on the rise again...  The world's supply of fossil fuel is limited and will eventually be exhausted.  Production is becoming more difficult and more expensive.  Many Americans are turning to renewable energy.  What exactly is renewable energy?  Can you name 5 renewable energy sources?

Answer:  Renewable energy is energy that comes from resources that are naturally replenished.  Sources of renewable energy are:  sunlight, wind, geothermal, tides, biomass, and hydroelectricity.

A Bag's Life

Plastic shopping bags: do ya’ love ‘em or hate ‘em? They are a mixed bag in my book - I love the convenience but hate the trash they create.


Today is America Recycles Day. To commemorate the day, Virginia is launching the “A Bag’s Life” campaign at the State Capitol to encourage Virginians to reduce, recycle and reuse their plastic bags. The website http://www.abagslife.com/ includes a locator to find the plastic bag recycling drop-off point nearest you (nearly 800 in Virginia and growing) and tips on the 3 R’s:

• Reduce. BYOB (bring your own bags) to the store when you shop. Many stores now offer reusable bags for a minimum fee. And don’t forget to use them.

• Recycle. Use our locator to see where to recycle your bags – and give them a new life as splinter-resistant decking, crates and containers, or even new bags.

• Reuse. People reuse bags over and over again in a variety of ways – as trash can liners, lunch bags, to pick up poop and to store their stuff.

For tips on recycling and for more information, go to:

http://earth911.com/ and http://www.keepvirginiabeautiful.org/