#fast4earth

March 26 – Walk or Cycle to Work/Church

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“Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth.” ~ Genesis 13:17 Plan a day once a week when you cycle or walk to work or church. Cycling and waking has become an underappreciated form of transport in the recent years and this is mainly because most people prefer to commute with motor vehicles.  There are several reasons to switch to cycling or walking. The most notable benefits is the reduced strain on the planet and environment.  Motor vehicles cause so much congestion not to mention the global pollution they are cause. Walking or cycling to work or church is a great way to reduce carbon emissions and your carbon footprint. Problems with motor vehicles Air pollution Increase global warming due to the carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases emitted Car production requires a lot of energy and leaves a giant footprint Fuel production requires extraction if fossil fuels which damages ecosystems. It also consumes a lot of energy and oil spills which negatively affect the environment High demand to build new roads which therefore decrease the green land we need. So why embrace cycling and walking? Cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. Reduces air pollutants (walking and biking emit no greenhouse gases). Reduces noise pollution and congestion. Reduces the need for new parking lots and roadways. Saves valuable green space from development. Reduces your ecological footprint. Save money on transportation costs. You will spend less money on fuel and or public transport costs Improved health. Walking or cycling is an easy way to get exercise and it will reduce your chances of developing chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, etc. Be part of the sustainability movement by choosing to walk or cycle to work instead of commuting with a car or public transport More links https://www.peoplepoweredmovement.org/benefits-of-biking-walking/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/green-guide/buying-guides/car/environmental-impact/

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March 25 – Fast from Elecctronics

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“Be still and know that I am God.” ~ Psalm 46:10   In todays age and time we have become so dependent on electronics that it almost seems impossible to live with these electronics (for example computers, TVs and cellphones). Electronics were made to improve our quality of life and make things easier but it Is no secret that people have gained a great unhealthy attachment to them and to others an addiction to their electronics. This attachment is growing daily among our peers. It is becoming evident that excessive use off electronics is not good for us physically, mentally and emotionally. People no longer interact with each other even though they are sitting next to each other. How many times have you been to a “get together” yet everyone was on their phone and not talking to each other? How many times have you felt lonely or “FOMO” because of social media? There is a clear need to put a restriction to electronic use. Benefits of fasting from electronics: Reduce stress – both your brain and body need to recover from daily activities. Electronics us on a 24/7 mode, which is not healthy for us More free time – people spend so much time glued to their devices or computer, and loose so much time which they could have spent on something more productive. Time lost is never regained. Improved mental health – social media allows for feelings such as loneliness, depression, envy, jealously and dissatisfaction to grow. Taking a break from seeing what others are doing or have, and focusing on being grateful for what you have, is important. Be present and in the moment – embrace the precious moments with loved ones and friends by being present instead of being on your device when you are with them. Better sleep – Television, computer screens and cell phones give off a light wavelength called blue light, which is similar to the bright midday sun. Exposure to this kind of light in the evening can trick your body into thinking that it’s still the middle of the day, making it hard to get to sleep. Fasting from electronics will therefore improve your sleep pattern. More links https://paleoleap.com/media-fast/ https://www.adventisthealth.org/blog/2019/march/the-benefits-of-unplugging-from-electronics/

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March 24 – Buy Energy-Saving Lightbulbs

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“The girls who were wise answered, ‘There’s not enough oil for all of us!’” ~ Matthew 25:9   Everyone or rather all buildings are dependent on light bulbs, individually light bulbs are not major energy consumers in building but when considered collectively, they use a significant amount of energy. Lightbulb manufacturing has been undergoing an energy-saving revolution in the recent years. There are 3 types of lightbulbs, namely; Incandescent light bulbs; Compact florescent lights (CFLs) and Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs). LEDs are the most advanced lightning technology on the market.  LEDs are the most energy efficient lightbulbs available on the market and they also have a considerably longer lifespan. Advantages of using energy saver bulbs(LED): Energy efficient- LED lights are up to 80% more efficient than traditional lighting such as fluorescent and incandescent lights. 95% of the energy in LEDs is converted into light and only 5% is wasted as heat. This is compared to fluorescent lights which convert 95% of energy to heat and only 5% into light! LED lights use much less power than traditional lighting; a typical 84 watt fluorescent can be replaced by a 36 watt LED to give the same level of light. Less energy use reduces the demand from power plants and decreases greenhouse gas emissions. No toxic elements- LED lights contain no toxic elements. Compact Fluorescent lights contain noxious chemicals such as mercury. These elements contaminate the environment when disposed of in landfill waste.  LED bulbs helps to protect the environment from further toxic waste. Less lights needed- LEDs have a better quality of light distribution and focus light in one direction as opposed to other types of lighting which waste energy by emitting light in all directions, often illuminating areas where light isn’t required. Less LED lights are needed to achieve the same level of brightness given off by fluorescents and incandescent lights. Fewer lights will reduce energy consumption and will therefore be a benefit to the environment. Life span- LED Lights last up to six times longer than other types of lights, reducing the requirement for frequent replacements and therefore decreasing the resources needed to manufacture lightbulbs. A longer life span will result in lower carbon emissions. More links https://learn.eartheasy.com/guides/energy-efficient-lighting/ https://www.savingenergy.org.za/asl/consumers/light-bulbs/ https://www.sepco-solarlighting.com/blog/bid/145611/the-advantages-of-led-lights-for-the-environment

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March 23 – Turn Down the Heater

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“It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it and warms himself; also he kindles a fire and bakes bread.” ~ Isaiah 44:15   There is nothing like taking a hot shower to wash away the worries of our day. But too much of a good thing is NOT a good thing. Water heating accounts for 15 to 25% of energy consumption in the average home. For every 10 degrees you turn down your water heater, you’ll save 3% to 5% on your bill. Most water heaters come pre-set at 140 degrees, which has the added risk of scalding. It is recommended that households lower it to 120 degrees. This amount is high enough for your needs, and high enough to reduce mineral buildup in your tank and pipes. A fridge/freeze is an appliance one uses on a daily basis and it is normally kept on 24/7. Fridges form part of our energy consumption.  Refrigerators and freezers should not be set too cold. It is recommended to set your fridge between 4-5°C  and the freezer to -18°C  .If you set fridge or freezer 1°C  colder, it increase your energy consumption by 5 to 10% and therefore increase your electric bill. Steps to turn down water heater: Find the current temperature- use a thermostat to measure the temperature your water is at now. At the tap furthest from the water. Mark the setting- to remember this setting, mark that temperature on your thermostat. Now turn down the thermostat to what you think will be 120 degrees, based on your earlier measurement. Wait at least 2 hours. Measure the water temperature again at the same far-away tap. It may take a few attempts to get it right. Once it’s right, mark that spot on your thermostat so you’ll remember the new temperature. How to turn up the fridge using a thermostat: To check your refrigerator’s temperature, set a thermostat in a glass of water in the center of the appliance. Read the thermostat after 24 hours. For a freezer, place a thermostat in between packages. Again, read the thermostat after 24 hours. More links https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/water-heater-energy-saving-tips/ https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/services/do-it-yourself-energy-savings-projects/savings-project-lower-water-heating https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-save-money-on-refrigeration-2941167 http://blog.etundra.com/tech-talk/refrigeration-thermostatscold-controls-work/

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March 21 – River or Beach Clean up near you

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“And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes”. ~ Ezekiel 47:9   #keep rivers clean “A river does not just carry water, it carries life” It goes without saying that fresh, clean water is essential for humans and nature to survive. Rivers are precious sources of fresh drinking water for people across the world not so long ago humans drank water directly from the river and many communities still do. When rivers are badly polluted by industry or unevenly distributed by poor water management practices, it can be a case of life-or-death. Rivers are a vital and vibrant ecosystem for many species.  People depend on rivers for their way of life and their livelihoods. From fishing to agriculture. The first step towards conserving rivers is to appreciate what clean healthy rivers do for us. Communities should take action and clean up rivers. This can be done by identifying and compiling a list of rivers in or near your residential area. One can also identify organisations that are “friends of the river” that focus on river clean-ups. Once you have a list you can organise a river clean up in your community. What you can do to prevent river pollution: Do not over use pesticides and fertilizers, this will prevent runoff of material into rivers If you use fertilizers or pesticides in your garden, pant more trees to prevent runoff in rivers Do not throw litter into rivers Do not wash clothes or bath in rivers Plant trees, trees reduce erosion which washes pollutants into rivers

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