Oprah Goes GREEN

On Friday Oprah show that "going green" is more than just a catch phrase. Going green is essential to our existence on Earth. It's not a fad it's a reality. We need to make better decisions about our consumption and what we do with our waste. Here are some facts:

• Carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal) to generate electricity and run our automobiles, heat houses and power factories, is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. (Source: Climate Change Information Kit, UNEP)


• A single washing machine cycle uses up to 100 litres of water (22 gallons) - and the average family uses their washing machine five times a week . That's 26,000 litres (5,720 gallons) in a year. (Source: Southern Water website)


• While recycling has grown in general, recycling of specific materials has grown even more drastically: 50 percent of all paper, 34 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles, 45 percent of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans, 63 percent of all steel packaging, and 67 percent of all major appliances are now recycled.

Oprah showcased her favorite GREEN things. Here are some:

• Ecobags--Bringing your own bag when shopping saves plastic bags. Visit http://www.ecobags.com/.


• Mrs. Meyers cleaning supplies--All of their cleaning supplies are made with natural essential oils, are biodegradable and phosphate-free. For more, visit http://www.mrsmeyers.com/.


• Shaklee--This company has been producing natural cleaning products—everything from dryer sheets to stain removers—for 50 years. Call 800-670-6251 or visit www.shaklee.com to save 33 percent on the Shaklee Healthy Home pack and 15 percent off all other items at Shaklee.


• GE Energy Smart light bulbs--GE Energy Smart bulbs use 70 to 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. For example, by using a 26-watt compact fluorescent light bulb—equivalent to a 100-watt incandescent light bulb—users can save up to $59 on energy costs over the life of the bulb. Saving energy saves money and is better for the environment.

Stay Tuned for more tips on Going Green in 2008