Peter Brown for Mayor, Houston 2009

Bring a little green into your life

Earth Day - April 21, 2009 

Earth Day is a wonderful event that has changed the way we look at our impact on the environment. But our environmental awareness shouldn’t be confined to just one day. Here are a few tips and steps you can take that will make our City greener year-round.  

 

1. Conserve Water & Electricity At Home

Here are a few quick ways to conserve water and electricity around the house that cost nothing or pay for themselves through lower electricity and water bills.

  • Use a shower timer to take shorter showers and reduce the stress on the water system during peak hours.

  • Install a low flow showerhead. A $10 investment can save you around $100 a year in water and electricity costs.

  • Invest in a rain barrel. Houston gets an inch of rain per week on average. That’s more than enough to fill a rain barrel with enough water to keep your lawn healthy without using the chlorinated water that comes from a faucet. Just make sure to cover it securely with mesh to keep mosquitoes from breeding.

  • Unplug, unplug, unplug! Unplug alliances that are not in use (coffee makers, VCRs, toasters, printers, and more).

  • Update your appliances. When it is time to replace your major appliances, look for Energy Star certified appliances and compare models with that label and pick ones that use the least energy and water to get the job done.

  • Participate In The City's Residential Energy Efficiency Program if you qualify – it’s free!

  • Where possible, replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent or other efficient bulbs. Not only is it better for the environment, they save money in the long run. 

 

2. Ride Your Bike Or Walk

  • If you have a grocery store or a park within half a mile of your house – try walking, just once.

  • Every year, 13,000 people ride from Houston to Austin in the MS-150. Why not try riding your bike to do quick errands like renting videos, going to the bookstore, or shopping?

 

3. Plant A Tree Or Start A Garden

  • Plant a vegetable garden. Groceries can dramatically increase your carbon footprint. Start with easier crops like green beans, cucumbers, carrots, and broccoli.

  • Don’t have time to plant a garden – I understand. There are Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) groups in the Houston area that are great opportunities to pitch in some time and labor and get fresh, healthy vegetables and fruits in return.

 

4. Join one of Houston's great, environmentally-oriented groups.

  • The Herman Park Conservancy is a public-private partnership with the City of Houston that works to enhance and restore the Park.

  • Trees For Houston is a non-profit organization that preserves and plants trees along Houston’s streets and freeways. They have partnered with the City of Houston to help meet Mayor Bill White’s goal of planting a million trees in Houston to improve air quality and the appearance of our City.

  • The Audubon Society conserves and restores our ecosystems to preserve the biodiversity we enjoy and depend on.

  • Neighborhood associations and Super Neighborhood Councils also do work that has a big impact on the environment. These groups are great ways to get to know your neighbors and have a real impact on your community.

Join Me In Helping Turn Houston Green

I will make Houston’s environment a priority in my administration because everyday should be Earth Day. Help me turn Houston green by contributing to my campaign, signing up to volunteer, and talking to your neighbors about the importance of building a more sustainable Houston.