“So often activism is based on what we are against, what we don’t like, what we don’t want. And yet we manifest what we focus on. And so we are manifesting yet ever more of what we don’t want, what we don’t like, what we want to change.
So for me, activism is about a spiritual practice as a way of life. And I realized I didn’t climb the tree because I was angry at the corporations and the government; I climbed the tree because when I fell in love with the redwoods, I fell in love with the world. So it is my feeling of ‘connection’ that drives me, instead of my anger and feelings of being disconnected.” -Julia Butterfly Hill
I find this sentiment very inspiring. If only we could convince everyone to be involved with the things they want to create rather than fighting against the things they want to change, the world would be a different place. It is so radical and yet so simple. This month, Alaris wants you to concentrate on a precious resource–WATER. Water is a life-force required by every animal on the planet. We believe it is our responsibility to conserve. And, to apply the Julia Butterfly Hill principle above, we are a proponent of water conservation. Stated another way, we are for the preservation of our planet through the responsible use of water.
Consider for a moment the impact of wasting water. Do you leave the water on while brushing your teeth? Shaving? Do you have a leaky faucet or toilets in your house that are more than 15 years old? We all love our multiple shower heads and jetted tubs. We love the convenience of waiting for the water to get hot before we get in the shower, and waiting for the water to get extra cold for a drink in the summer. Will the water you waste today set our children up for a future of water scarcity?
With the population of Colorado growing from 4 million in 2000 to 6 million by 2025, this rapid pace will most definitely put a huge strain on municipal and industrial water usage. Experts are predicting that most of the ground water on the Colorado Front Range could be exhausted by 2030.
If you share our concern, we encourage you to inventory your water usage. Check out the at http://www.epa.gov/watersense/index.html. The site has all kinds of helpful hints and suggestions to reduce your water usage. WaterSense® is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Its mission is to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by promoting and enhancing the market for water-efficient products and services. For example, replacing your toilets with WaterSense® toilets could save nearly 4000 gallons a year. This is a huge savings in your home every day. If half the households in Colorado installed WaterSense® labeled faucets or faucet aerators, the state could save 500 million gallons of water annually, enough to supply nearly 4,000 Colorado households with water for a year. Find out how much money you can save by installing WaterSense® products. http://www.epa.gov/watersense/calculate_your_water_savings.html
You could also replace your old plumbing fixtures. By doing this, you can save:
- Money: $60 in utility bills annually–enough that the fixtures will pay for themselves in as little as 2.5 years.
- Electricity: 200 kilowatt-hours annually–enough to run a refrigerator for 2 months.
- Water: 7,000 gallons annually–enough to wash 6 months’ worth of laundry
The switch to new plumbing fixtures doesn’t have to be costly. There are several rebate programs available locally to help you take advantage of these water saving products. Here are just a few to help you get started:
Denver Rebates on Toilets
http://www.denverwater.org/Conservation/Rebates/2010ResidentialRebates/
Westminster Rebates on Toilets
http://www.ci.westminster.co.us/345.htm
Boulder Rebates on Toilets
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4462&Itemid=2322
Thornton Rebates on Toilets
http://www.thorntonwater.com/rebates.html#toilet
Taking part in water conservation is a great way to feel connected. The little amount of water you save everyday now could impact the amount of water our children have now and in the future.
Take a pledge with us at http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pledge/index.html. And help everyone on the planet by conserving water.
Daniel J. Beckerle
EcoBroker
303 261 2732 (cell)
303 526 2277 (office)
303 845 8311 (fax)
www.AlarisProperties.com
