Ridgewood is having its Earth Day celebration in Van Neste Square on Saturday, April 20^th this year.  I want to get involved, and learn about how I can do more to teach my children about the environment and global warming.  Any advice?

- Enjoying Spring in Ridgewood

Dear Enjoying Spring:

You have already pinpointed the first thing you can do to take a step in that direction.  Ridgewood’s Earth Day event will be a fun and informative event in the park.

You will be able to see electric cars, and hear about how they can lessen your carbon footprint.  You can learn about home energy efficiency, and reducing energy used while saving money in your home.  You will find information about trees, gardening, recycling, clean water, healthy foods, and the list goes on and on.

Do One Thing

One of the continuing themes this year, is the Do One Thing mantra.  We are encouraging everyone to make a pledge to Do One Thing, which is “Earth-Friendly,” and together, we can all have a tremendous impact.  What can you do to be more Earth-Friendly?  Remember that no step is too small, so choose something that you enjoy, will make you healthier, reduces energy or pollution, or otherwise has positive impacts on the environment.

Earth Day Actions

1. Drive less to reduce the amount of gas you use, and pollution you make.  Walking into town instead of driving, or riding a bicycle has the added benefit of getting you in better shape physically.  You may be surprised at how your energy levels increase when become more physically active.
2. Choosing to eat less meat as raising beef has an extremely high carbon footprint.   Even enjoying a vegetarian meal once in a while is a step in the right direction, and you may enjoy the new epicurean experience!
3. Save energy at home.  I always recommend starting with an energy audit, so you can understand where you are using and wasting energy.  Once this is accomplished, you can then prioritize the steps to take to reduce that energy use.  The simplest steps which everyone can do, are to turn off lights when not in the room, and replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED ones.  Look for Energy Star appliances.  The home energy audit is the first step towards getting rebates and incentives from New Jersey of up to $5000 per home, and interest-free loans to help make it easy for homeowners to reduce their energy use!
4. Shop locally.  This supports local businesses, and reduces the amount of travel to stores.  We also have a wonderful Farmer’s Market right here in Ridgewood, which has excellent locally-grown produce.
5. Plant a tree.  You can do this in your yard, or in a park on town property (with proper permission).  This simple step has many benefits, including leaving a legacy that could still be growing in 100 years!

The additional benefit of most of these activities is that they also save you money, and give you the satisfaction of making the planet a better place for future generations.  Be sure to enjoy your pledge.  What I have found is that your first step will be fulfilling, and you never know where it leads.  The journey is always the fun part!

Dear Greening My Yard,
There are a many things that you can focus on to make your yard more environmentally sound. Many of them are rewarding, and make your yard more enjoyable. My yard is even like a sanctuary, where I can go outside to read, take calls for work, enjoy wildlife (yes, even here in Ridgewood!), and even watch movies on my re-purposed billboard which is now a movie screen.

1. 

   Flowerbeds surrounded by wood chips help conserve water while adding beauty to the garden.

   First is to reduce your lawn or grass coverage. Lawns take much time and effort, use much water, chemicals, and much fertilizer. Ever see those little warning signs after a lawn is chemically treated? Yet our pets and kids play on them and are exposed to these chemicals. Some solutions are to plant ground covers. These come in many forms, from less than an inch high to plants that grow up to a foot high. They can be flowering, provide additional color, and be relatively low maintenance.

2. Planting flowerbeds or vegetable gardens can also add some variety to a yard to break up the green expanse. The colors, textures and edible options are endless! This also keeps your yard interesting throughout spring and summer. When there is always something new to see, it makes enjoying your yard something to look forward to! There is also a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction to seeing these progress over the summer months.
3. You can grow plants that attract the kind of things you want in your yard. Whether you like birds, bees, hummingbirds, bunnies, etc, you can cultivate plants that attract them. One of my quests is to attract hummingbirds. I hadn’t seen them in this area, but I have been told that “if you build it, they will come.” By the end of the season last year, I saw my first hummingbirds in my yard! Or on the other hand, if there are animals that you do not want, you can plant species that deter those animals, such as deer.
4. 

   Section of a part of your yard and begin composting.

   Start a Composting Bin or Composting Area. Composting is nature’s way of breaking down organic matter into soil nutrients. It reduces solid waste, provides fertilizer and soil amendment that helps your plants grow better, and it is easy to do! Why use chemical fertilizers when you could do it nature’s way? All leaves, grass clippings, and some kitchen scraps are perfect supplies for composting. As a general rule of thumb, it is very desirable to limit the chemicals and fertilizers that you bring on to your property. While you may want to amend your soil and provide specific fertilizers in certain situations, limiting their use is desirable.

5. Be aware of water – it is a precious resource. It should be protected and you can easily go towards plants that are drought-tolerant and do not require much water in times of little rain. To capture and re-use water for your plants, you can install rain barrels off of downspouts. To reduce storm water runoff, you can build a rain garden or increase the permeable surfaces in your yard, so that water can percolate back into the ground, into our aquifers that provide our municipal water.
6. Repurpose items are yard decorations. This one may seem odd, but actually can be a lot of fun. You can get really creative with arts and crafts, or use non-traditional items in a fun and classy way that can add interesting points of interest to your yard. Whether it’s an old metal bed frame that can be used as a trellis for climbing vines, making planters from other containers, or old windows or frames for focal points, you can find another life for old materials.
7. If you do not tend your yard personally, you may want to find a landscaper who shares your concern for the environment. They typically take the easy path, use hazardous chemicals and fertilizers, and may not provide the creativity you desire. If you find one who shares your passion, they can be wonderful at implementing your desires.

In the past few weeks, my house has been very cold.  We replaced the windows last year to cut down on drafts, but that has not helped much.  It cost over $25,000, and we are at wits end on how to get comfortable.

- Hating the Cold in Glen Rock

Eco Ed’s Response to Cold Home Owners

Dear Hating the Cold,

Upgrading windows may be a waste of money. Consult a Home Energy Auditor to determine the best strategy to insulate your home.

I wish you had contacted my before spending all of that money on windows.  Knowing nothing about your particular home, I do know that many times people focus on replacing windows, as they are very visible, obvious, and almost always cold in winter.  More times than not, there many other areas that will provide a higher impact, or more bang for the buck with your goal of making your home more comfortable.

Windows will always be cold – even new ones.  In your situation, I always recommend starting with a Home Energy Audit.  Every home is different, and you want an objective assessment on where to best focus your time, money and efforts.  This will also help you prioritize the improvement options, based on comfort, cost savings, or health and safety.

When choosing a home energy auditor, you want to find someone who is certified with the Home Performance with Energy Star Program in New Jersey.  That way, they can also get you any rebates and incentives from the State that can be used towards making the improvements to your home.  Ideally, you want someone who is independent also, as a window company will recommend windows, a heating company will recommend a new boiler, etc.

Here are some additional tips that will help warm up your house without spending a lot of money:

1. Something that most people do not consider for energy savings…. lock your windows!  This is not just a security measure; it will help to seal the windows tighter and keep the cold air out.
2. For windows and doors that are leaking cold air into your home, seal with caulk or weather stripping products.  Track down all areas where cold air is getting in.  You can go to your nearby Home Improvement store for help choosing the right product for your specific needs.
3. Remember to take out air conditioning units from your windows if applicable.  Even if you think that it is a pain to take them out and put back in during the summer.  This will help you in keeping the warmth in and the cold out.  Worst case, you can get an insulated cover to minimize cold coming in.
4. If you have screens on single pane windows, lower your storm windows.  If there are no storms windows, add them, or you can also consider using shrink-wrap to seal windows during winter.
5. Open up curtains and blinds during the day on east, south and west-facing windows to let the sun in to warm up the room naturally.  Remember to close them again after dark to keep the cold out.
6. Remove any items obstructing your heating registers from moving warm air into the rooms.  If you have radiators, get some heat-resistant reflectors and slide them between the radiators and the walls to reflect warmth back into the room.
7. Also, it is difficult to warm up interior air that is too dry.  Try to maintain your home’s relative humidity between 35-45 percent to help you with heating your home.

In almost any home, if you get proper guidance from a professional, it is not only possible to make your home more comfortable, it is usually cost-effective also.

Ask Eco Ed Your Own Question <> Read the “Ask Eco Ed” Column

For the Holidays, I wanted to set the right example for my children on how to view the holidays, appreciate what they have and also respect the planet.  Last year, they got a huge pile of gifts from friends and family, and I don’t want them to view the holidays as so materialistic.  Any suggestions?

-Remembering the Spirit of Christmas in Ridgewood

Imagine the feeling you could give someone by giving them a gift this holiday season. Make someone feel special by donating your time, or donating your gently worn clothes.

Dear Spirit of Christmas:

I commend your thoughts.  Not only do we have so much to be thankful for, but we also have a moral imperative to others and the planet.  Below, I have put down some of my favorite Sustainable Holiday Tips.  I hope you find some or all of them, useful for your family!

• Donate your time or money to those less fortunate.

  Whether it is a local soup kitchen, religious organization, taking care of a specific family in need, or for Hurricane Sandy victims, take the time to help others.  This is the fabric that makes our society wonderful!  To me it was amazing how the planet’s best musicians came together on 12/12/12 for a common cause.

• Donate “Gently Used” items to local charitable organizations.

  Books, video games, toys, coats, clothing, and other items could travel from home to home, and make many children happy.  This reduces the need to make more toys (using additional resources), and keeps them from ending up in a landfill.

• Shop locally.

  Why travel to a store or mall many miles away, when there are options closer to home?  Support our local businesses.  They will appreciate the support this year, and you will most likely find that they often provide top-notch service!

• Use LED Holiday lights.

  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), all of your traditional lights are now obsolete, as they use so much electricity.  They should be replaced with ones that use 1/5^th of the electricity.  This goes for Christmas tree lights, Menorah lights, window candlelights and exterior decorative lights.  Solar exterior lights are performing quite well too, so you may want to check them out.  A timer to limit the amount of time that lights are on will also reduce energy use.  No need to keep them lit throughout the night, or during daylight hours.

• Minimize the use of wrapping paper and packaging.

  Think about how much paper, bubble wrap, styrofoam, and cardboard boxes are thrown out at your home.  Instead be creative – think about using newspaper to wrap packages and then recycle it afterwards, instead of ending up in a landfill.  Stored bags can be used over and over again.

• “Re-gifting” is perfectly acceptable.

  It is always a wonderful feeling to give a gift.  If a gift is not needed, then there are others that would greatly appreciate those gift items.  If donated to a charity, you could also get a tax benefit.  Alternatively, return gifts that you will not use to the store.  What a shame it is to have those items sit in your closet for years, only to be thrown away, or end up in a garage sale.

• Close the flue.

  Be sure to close the flue after a fire and all the embers are burned out.  More times than not, fireplace flues are left open, which allows heat to escape the house at a surprising rate.

PLEASE DO NOT CUT DOWN ANY MORE TREES.  It seems like the recent storms have convinced many people to cut down perfectly healthy trees.  This is very short-sighted, has negative impacts on the aesthetics of our neighborhoods, stormwater management for the area, home energy use and property values.  This is not so much for the holidays, but I had to throw this one in, because seeing so many healthy trees being removed as a knee-jerk reaction to the storm has put a damper on an otherwise wonderful Holiday Season!

Good luck in making a planet a better place for your family, and have a wonderful Holiday Season!

I am fed up with these power outages!  This is our third one in two years, and we were out for 8 days this time (14 days after Hurricane Irene).  I’ve heard about generators, and the whole concept seems complicated.  I do not feel comfortable with one of those portable units with power cords running everywhere.  I went to Home Depot and they gave me pricing for a whole-house generator.  It was $14,000, and I’m not really sure what I’m getting, or if it is overkill.  They did not take any time to explain it to me.  They just gave me this price, and asked me if I wanted it, Yes or No.  Is this a good option?  Will it protect me in future storms?  Am I being unreasonable in my expectations?

- Confused in Glen Rock

Dear Confused:

Ask Eco Ed any question and he provide a professional, helpful answer. He is here to help you tackle problems.

I have received dozens of calls on this subject over the past few days.  First of all, your expectations are not unreasonable.  With important issues such as emergency power to your home, and the costs involved, you are certainly entitled to understand and to deal with people who have the patience and understanding to help you.  Generators are a simple concept, but surprisingly detailed in actual execution.  So detailed, with so many options, that I will be meeting with one of my trusted electricians who specializes in generators this week.  We will package a simplified menu of options for homeowners, detailed below.

QUALIFICATION STATEMENT:  This does not happen often, so enjoy it for the moment – I am temporarily stepping away from my consistent position of always minimizing energy use and carbon footprint! We need to address the realities and the severity of this subject, as it has a great impact on all of our lives.  As fuel cells and renewable energy options become available and cost competitive, we will thoroughly research these options.First and foremost is understanding and assessing your family’s NEEDS and DESIRES with regards to power continuity. Your tolerance for modern conveniences (and lack thereof) is a very personal decision, where boilerplate options may not apply.  There is no simple answer, and you may merely not want to tolerate any inconvenience.  My family’s “needs” have shifted due to the increasing frequency of these power outages, along with my belief that the effects of Global Climate Change is making these weather patterns the “new normal.”  Our washing machine and dryer were not on our initial list.  However, after being without power for weeks, they have now sneaked up onto that list!  Some of the questions to ask yourself are: How critical is continuous power?  How often do you think there will be power outages in the future?  For what duration?  What appliances do you have that run on natural gas, as it is much more rare for natural gas service to be disrupted then it is for electrical service?  Do you have a home office?  Do any family members have critical care medical equipment?  Are there any other risks of power interruption, such as operation of sump pumps or other health and safety issues?  What kind of condition is your family in financially?

The next set of questions will help you determine the sizing of the generator you will need.  Do you want to simply power your entire house, with as little impact as possible?  If your budget allows, this is the most convenient option.  Do you need to provide emergency power to sump pumps only to keep your basement from flooding?  Refrigerators/freezers?  Kitchen?  Heating of cooling systems? Lights, TV’s or networks?   Washing machine/dryer?  Once you determine your scope of appliances needed, your electrician can then help you determine the proper sizing for your generator.

Then there are additional questions that a good electrician will lead you through to also choose an appropriate system.  How long do you want to be protected in case of emergency, and how much effort are you willing to undertake?  These are critical because you don’t want to be sold on a false sense of security.  Many generators are great options for short-term outages, but are not really made to run for weeks on end.  During an extended power outage IS NOT AN IDEAL TIME TO LEARN THIS ABOUT YOUR SYSTEM!  Some systems need to be shut down regularly to refuel, service, to add or change oil, etc.  Your generator is somewhat like an insurance policy.  In that sense you want to do your homework properly, so that you do not find out afterwards that you will not be covered when you need it most.

The following options all have pros and cons, so this is merely a quick overview from least to most expensive:  The simplest option is to get a portable gas-powered generator.  These units are easily moved into place, and can be set up outside your house in times of need.  You can run extension cords into your home with surge protectors and run to appliances directly, such as refrigerators, TV’s, lights, etc.  These can cost as little as a few hundred dollars.  Be sure to have gas cans and power cords available, and ALWAYS be cognizant to keep exhaust fumes away from any open windows or doors, as the carbon monoxide can be lethal.  You can have your electrician pre-wire your electric service so that these units can attach directly to your electrical box to avoid running power cords around your home.   These units can also be sizable enough to run all of your critical systems, and cost a couple of thousand dollars.  A more comprehensive solution is a stationary, or standby generator.  These can run on a variety of fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, propane, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or can be hooked directly into the natural gas service of your home.  They can even run on battery packs or powered by renewable energy sources, but the costs of these options can be significant.  These standby generators are typically installed in a permanent location, and include a transfer switch, which automatically turns them on in the case of a power outage.  This can happen while you sleep or if you are not even home.  They can also be designed with a smart load-balancing switch, have cold-weather protection options, and can have UPS so that there is no disruption to any running computer applications or for servicing of the generator during use.  These units can easily be over $10,000, and can be significantly higher with all of the bells and whistles.  They will also add value to your home, as they are a capital improvement.

It is strongly recommended that all electrical and plumbing (gas lines) be done by licensed professionals, that proper permits are taken out.

As mentioned earlier, I will be sitting down with a well-qualified electrician, and will create a checklist of questions and a menu of options to help homeowners make the best decision that will meet their family’s needs.  It will be thorough and go into enough detail so that homeowners understand the options as best possible.  We will be reaching out to people to provide that level of detail and service.  For additional detail on these questions and qualified professionals, I can be reached at ed@greenlivingsolutionsnj.com.

Ask Eco Ed your own question <<>> Read the Ask Eco Ed Column

Green Divas Radio Show interviews Eco Ed on preparing a home for winter

Green Divas Radio Show is providing fresh ideas for sustainable living. Green Diva Megan McWilliams will be interviewing Eco Ed on ways to prepare your home for the winter. With today’s economic conditions, everyone could benefit from a reduced heating bill. Check out the podcast below.

1)     Get a home energy audit from a certified company.  An energy audit from an independent company (one that does not focus on either insulation/heating/cooling/windows) will help you to better understand how your energy is used and where it is being wasted.  It will identify areas on which to focus that will provide the greatest impact for YOU.  This will help you target and prioritize your spending and possibly even get you rebates and incentives from the State.  Choose a company that is accredited by BPI and the NJ Clean Energy Program.

2)     Replace your most-used incandescent bulbs with comparable output compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. Lighting is typically 10%-15% or your electricity usage, and these bulbs use 75%-80% less electricity! Timers and motion detectors on both indoor and outdoor lighting help to manage your electricity use on lighting even further.

3)     Turn off everything when not in use. This includes lights, TVs, computers, etc.  In addition, either unplug devices, or put on a Smart Strip and turn off, as 7-11% of home electricity is wasted on equipment which is plugged in, and not in use!

4)     Plug those leaks. Sealing gaps and crevices keeps out unwanted air infiltration.  Leaking faucets and tubs waste a tremendous amount of water over time.

5)     Keep heating and cooling equipment updated and serviced properly. Older systems can be inefficient, to the point that upgrading may make sense.  Also, proper maintenance can improve the efficiency, and keep your systems running for many more years.

6)     Use a programmable thermostat. If you follow a regular schedule, you can coordinate indoor settings with your family’s daily and weekly patterns. Keep your thermostat at energy efficient and comfortable settings during the days and nights for all seasons.  This can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling costs.

7)     Run clothes washer and dishwasher only when it is a full load. This saves water, along with energy. Newer washing machines can use cold water cycles and still get laundry cleaned properly.  On sunny days, try using the clothesline instead of the dryer.  In winter, an indoor drying rack will increase your relative humidity levels.

8)     Renewable energy may be for you.  Your home may be a good candidate for using Solar Panels to generate electricity, or geothermal for ultra-efficient heating and cooling.  If so, these technologies can save you money while being much more Earth-friendly.

9)     Don’t run to change windows.  Get an energy audit first to prioritize where the biggest impact items are.  Many times you can get a much greater benefit by targeting other areas that cost much less.  This will help you to get the best bang for your dollars spent. 

10)   Landscaping can reduce your energy use. Deciduous trees can shade your southern and western exposures, reducing your cooling requirements.  Evergreen buffers can shield your home from northern winds in winter.  Also, consider composting in your yard to reduce solid waste, and add nutrient rich additives to your gardens.  See our composting guide for additional details.

WE CAN ALL DO OUR PART TO REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT!

For additional information, see

http://www.greenlivingsolutionsnj.com

Or contact Green Living Solutions at (201)390-4280

Ed Schwartz and Robert Kennedy Jr.

Robert Kennedy, Jr., is an activist, environmental attorney and radio host. Mr. Kennedy and Eco Ed have worked together on common goals and environmental initiatives in the New Jersey and New York area.  They share the same passion for protecting our waters, through the Riverkeeper Alliances.

Dear Eco-Ed:

We’re planning back-to-school activities, and some of our purchases seem so wasteful.  How can we adopt sustainable practices to kick off the school year?

- Sustainable Elementary School Mom

Dear Sustainable Elementary School Mom:

Good question, as there is much you can do to at this time of the year.  As consumers we can reduce waste, and we can also set the right example for our kids.  At the same time, we can create and encourage habits that improve our children’s health and physical development.  Below is a top ten list to help and can also improve air quality at the schools.

1-    On days that weather is permitting, encourage your kids to walk or bike to school with friends. On rainy or snowy days, carpooling reduces traffic and minimizes carbon emissions.

2-    Turn your engine off while waiting for your child.  Anti-idling efforts are being encouraged in our schools (or dare I say, enforced).  This practice is not only wasteful (of gas and money), it adds to pollution right around our kids and the playgrounds where they exercise.

3-    Choose your child’s clothes with them.  How many times have you purchased clothes that your child refuses to wear?  Including them in the selection process increases the chance that they will wear their new clothes often.

4-    Save supplies from year to year.  So many perfectly usable folders, pens/pencils, binders, etc., are thrown away in the trash at the end of the school year.  Put aside what is re-usable for the upcoming year.

5-    Buy recycled supplies or products with minimal packaging, where possible.  Brand marketers respond to consumer demand, and this will force companies to provide products that are more sustainable to manufacture.

6-    Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Don’t let your children skip it.  Also, the less processed sugar in their breakfast, the better!

7-    Well-balanced lunches are important.  Fresh foods and fruit are healthy alternatives to processed snacks.  Encouraging healthy eating habits promotes physical development, improves attentiveness and results in more consistent energy levels throughout the day.

8-    Minimize garbage by packing lunches in reusable containers. Ditch the plastic and stick with a reusable water bottle that can be refilled all year long.  REAC had personalized containers created in conjunction with Back2Tap.  Contact Ed Schwartz for units while supplies last.

9-    Make textbook covers from recycled materials. Those sturdy brown paper bags from the grocery store are still a good option and have a surface that lends itself to decoration and personalization.

10- Hand-Me-Downs give clothes a second life.  If this is not an attractive option for you, consider donating your child’s clothes to a local charity when your child has outgrown them.

Ask Eco Ed your own question <<>> Read the Ask Eco Ed Column

Eco Ed & Ed Begley are seen laughing together on the subway.

Using his fame as an actor and environmental activist, Ed Begley, Jr. is on a “never-ending green streak.” Mr. Begley is vocal about conserving energy by taking action yourself. On one occasion, Mr. Begley spoke to USA Today to promote people biking to work to conserve energy and help reduce one’s carbon footprint.

Eco Ed and Ed Begley were seen laughing together on the metro in DC. Both Eds are asked to work together as environmental leaders to create innovative solutions that strive to make a green world.

See Ed Begley’s environmental website here