http://www.pledgebank.com/2hoursperweek Comments on 'spend 2 hours per week doing something about climate change' en-gb team@pledgebank.com 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 2 hourly http://www.pledgebank.com/2hoursperweek#comment_2927236 I managed a few of hours at the allotment this week. Put down cardboard and old carpet as a time-saving way of keeping weeds down. Lots of digging-in of compost I made last year, and still harvesting winter salad greens which I'm growing under fleece. This is very satisfying because they're delicious and very fresh and replace the expensive plastic bags of leaves which are flown in though packaged in the UK. At work I spent some time ordering packaging materials.I found biodegradable bubble wrap though I'm not sure about the science. I read somewhere that it possibly just breaks down into smaller pieces of plastic which may be even more harmful - perhaps someone can help? Also ordered starch based packing peanuts and paper shipping tape (usually used for picture framing) http://www.pledgebank.com/2hoursperweek#comment_2904591 Installed an energy consumption meter from the ethical superstore in the house which tells us when we have left our laptops, phone chargers and toy helicopters on for no good reason. I have also installed a bucket in my kitchen for composting green waste as my council does not provide that recycling option. Probably not two hours, but it is a start. Unlike Garsin, I have not stopped farting. http://www.pledgebank.com/2hoursperweek#comment_2896790 I've just written a very angry letter to Gordon Brown telling him that the decision to build a third runway pees me right off. Go to the greenpeace website and do the same! http://www.pledgebank.com/2hoursperweek#comment_2895632 Professionally I am one of a team of (currently) 8 people tasked to plan the implementation of the NRC Earth Science Decadal Survey Mission called ASCENDS to measure CO2 sinks and sources globally. I have an aircraft based instrument development that is a proof of principle development for measuring total column CO2 on regional and local scales. These activities occupy about 30 hrs/week. I coach an after school First Lego League Robotics program (4th thru 8th grade) where the students conduct research as well as build robots from lego to solve theme related challenges. Last years theme was energy choices and this years theme was Climate Connections- about 2 hours per week on average. At home we've converted all lights to CFLs, use the natural airflow designed into our 1930s (lots of TLC needed) vintage house to limit the use of A/C and heating, replaced the washer/dryer/dish-washer with high efficiency (front loader) units & only run them when full at night. We have a large bush on the West that completely shields the house from the hot Western sun here in So. Cal reducing A/C needs considerably. This year we will replace the electrical and water systems (Instant-on hot water) so we can insulate better without risk of fire from the current antique wiring and water damage from the pipes. Next year will be Xeriscaping the yard and solar panels on the roof (already has a temperature controlled exhaust vent for summer use). Does any of this count? http://www.pledgebank.com/2hoursperweek#comment_2892249 I've spent the past week designing teaching materials for younger students (late primary and all secondary) to find ways to teach and debate climate change and its related topics. I've not finished but it's a long work in progress and now going to start trying it out on the kiddies I teach... http://www.pledgebank.com/2hoursperweek#comment_2892176 I spent a couple of days working out the energy consumption of my university building and working out how to make it more sustainable. (its uni work tho - does that count?). Have started turning my appliances off at the wall whenever not in use (as extension leads use energy even when the lamps/radios/computers are off). Also put perspex on my fireplace and taped it up to stop the draft. Next task is to perspex my windows and tape them up too...