I'm an incorrigible eco-crastinator. I mean, I have some things down pat: I use nontoxic cleaning products, carry a reusable bag everywhere, bike to work when the weather’s tolerable, and generally manage to slip in and out of the shower without fogging up the mirror.
Art director Jamie and me, ready to paint my roof white!
But until recently, I hadn’t checked any big-ticket items off my to-do list. I couldn’t tell you where my refrigerator coils are located-- a shame, since vacuuming them can save tons of carbon emissions.
I'm a little terrified of composting (make that a lot terrified: those chihuahua-size NYC rats!), and I’ve been meaning to do an energy audit since forever, despite the fact that sluicing air blows my hair back like a wind machine when I stand near my bedroom window.
So for this issue celebrating Earth Day -- the little holiday that’s finally catching on, even without a socially agreed-upon ritual or slogan -- we thought, enough with the small stuff We've got the rest of the year to change lightbulbs. And so for our "This Is the Year I’ll…" package, we collected a list of earth-friendly projects we’ve wanted to conquer for some time, from wrapping our water heaters for greater energy efficiency to painting the roof white. The latter can take 20 percent off your energy bills and is what I decided to tackle, with the help of deputy art director Jamie Prokell and 45 gallons of paint.
We grew so enthusiastic about challenging ourselves to go one step beyond that we opened up a forum at wholeliving.com/pledge so anyone can make an Earth Day pledge.
Some people, however, need no extra motivation to tackle their most ambitious green goals. We celebrate 10 of these type-A achievers in our first Whole Living Awards. The effort, creativity, and, in some cases, risk associated with these women’s accomplishments are truly humbling.
We hope you're inspired to make this year a double-dare that's good for you and the planet (for me, that means two words: worm composting).
Alex Postman is the editor in chief of Whole Living; this blog post is excerpted from her April 2011 editor's letter. Can't find us on newsstands? Get a subscription here. As always, we love to hear your feedback.
From: FifthroomLiving | 4/1/11 at 11:17 am
I had no idea that painting your roof white could save on energy. What's the reason behind it? Does it reflect light so as not to keep your home too hot in the summer? What about winter weather... I would think a dark roof would absorb the sun's warmth and help heat your home. I'd love more info! Thanks!
Hazel
Fifthroom Living
From: Mindy Pennybacker | 4/1/11 at 2:21 pm
Good question! Yes, a white roof saves on energy by reflecting the sun's heat, I can assure you as the author of the "This is the Year I'll..." piece. Research shows that the energy saving benefits of a white roof in warm weather outweigh heat absorption of a dark roof in winter by at least 70%; there are negligible savings from dark roofs during winter, because there is less heat from the sun. Read more here: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/Cool-Roof-White-Roof.aspx.
Looking forward to hearing about Alex's lower utility bills during the upcoming warm months, compared with last year's!