for crist's sake...

Today in the beautiful state of Florida Governor Charlie Crist dropped his support for the federal government's ban on offshore oil drilling and endorsed McCain. Crist says it's because Florida families are suffering from the costs of fuel and that his "heart bleeds for them," but give me a break. LAST YEAR he urged lawmakers to reject the legislation that would allow drilling as close as 45 miles off the coast of Florida, which was also on his platform when he ran for Governor in 2006. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Many speculate Crist wants to be considered as a possible running mate for McCain. I could see that, being how he suddenly changed sides on the issue to support the presidential candidate's view. I guess it's more important to be on the side of the person who may advance your career rather than the side of the people who elected you. Reading about this issue today, I learned that Florida politicians have long opposed drilling because it could have a negative impact on the beaches/tourism/Florida's economy (duh), but also because it could interfere with weapons testing and military training in and over the Gulf of Mexico. TAKE THAT, REPUBLICANS!


Reflecting on this ongoing offshore drilling debate really got me thinking about the environment. Most of us feel powerless when it comes to government legislation and we may have to deal with it when they approve offshore drilling, oppose carbon taxes, rewrite the endangered species list, etc., but there are so many little things we can do to personally help the environment. Anyone who knows me understands how much I love the environment. I consider myself a bit of a hypocrit, because I preach so much about conservation and don't do as much as I could... but I do try. Like how I tried to get my co-workers to turn off their computers and monitors at night, but none ever did- Now I just race around and at least turn off their monitors before I leave. Sure, it is a silly thing to do everyday, but I take pride in it.

Here are some facts (mostly from MSN):

• Turning off a 75-watt computer monitor for 40 hours a week might only save $4.38 a month, but it reduces CO2 (greenhouse gas emissions) by 750 pounds, burning 450 fewer pounds of coal each year!
• If Americans replaced just one incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb in their home, it would save enough energy to light 2.5 million homes in one year and prevent an amount of greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of 800,000 cars.
• If you bring your own cup to Starbucks you get a 10 cent discount. Ok, so it doesn't seem like much, but you'll save on waste. Also, Starbucks gives out free bags of spent coffee that can be used as "green" fertilizer!
• If every household in America replaced one roll of toilet paper with a recycled postconsumer waste roll, 424,000 trees would still be standing. Look for eco paper towels and napkins too. If every household used recycled napkins, we would spare one million trees.
• By skipping pre-rinse on your dishwasher, which is a useless cycle anyways, you'll save 200 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released and $40 a year.

I'm not sure how much people care about the environment, but I know people care about themselves. Here is a great article: 13 easy, inexpensive way to go green. They are relatively cheap things to do that will save you a good deal of money. As an added bonus, if you make any small effort to help the environment, I will personally give you a pat on the back!