New Forum Suggestion: "Living Green"

[Blue-Jay]

Yes, I realize that we have a "Economic Activism and Progressive Living" group, but I'm thinking of something a little bit different. (besides, nobody posts there anyhow)

What I'd like to see is a forum that donors and non-donors alike can visit for tips, advice, expertise, and discussion about living "green".

Stay with me here.... I'm not talking about activism. (Activism is good, but this is something different). I'd just like a forum available to everyone (even lurkers!) with the purpose of discussing practical ideas for practical people who are interested in practical solutions to save money while helping to save the environment. Even the most "Righty McRightersons" shouldn't have a problem with common sense solutions to common problems that affect us all, if it means that we can discuss ways to save money and have a positive effect on the environment. Hell, I'm old enough to remember a time when "conservatives" were interested in "conservation", but sadly that's not the case anymore. But I digress...

To reiterate, ladies & gentlemen: I'm not talking about "Peak Oil" or "Global Climate Change" or Al Gore, or Go Protest This Or That... There are already groups and/or forums for each of those things. I'd like a forum that deals with, simply, smart living for smart people.

How can I save money on utility bills?
How do I plant an organic garden?
How can I get better mileage out of my car?
How can I fix something instead of buying a new one?
Why should I use reusable bags instead of paper/plastic? (Where can I get them for free?)
Will I save money by walking & paying more or driving & paying less? What's the difference?
Can I afford solar panels? I hear that they're expensive....
What's the deal with composting? Does it stink?

You know.... Shit like that!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Certainly, there are already sites that deal with this sort of thing, but I'd like to see more discussion here. Why the hell not? Lots of people don't go to other sites. (Not me, but "other people")

Let's have a new forum, I say. And let's allow even the lowliest lurker to lurk their lurkiest best. (The same rules will apply, obviously. If they act like an assmunch, toss 'em out.)

[KitchenWitch]

1. I would love a forum for that!

:hi:

[WillyT]

2. Superb Idea !!! - K & R !!!

:bounce::yourock::bounce:

[NMDemDist2]

3. why not try posting over there and see what you get? nt

[Blue-Jay]

8. Over where?

In that group where nobody looks?

I went there before I posted this thread, and NO-Fucking-Body pays any attention to it. My idea is slightly different, as I mentioned in my OP. I don't want the forum to be about "activism"*: I want it to be about how to "green up" your life in an everyday manner while saving money.

Green solutions are out there and getting cheaper and more practical all the time. I think that we can help each other, and I think that we should have a new forum dedicated to that.

* I'm dedicated to environmental activism, mind you, but I'm suggesting something different. Day-to-day living type of stuff.

[NMDemDist2]

67. there are tons of page views over there and if you put a couple posts up

you may be surprised

also we talk about green stuff in environment/energy quite a bit

:hi:

[murray hill farm]

4. Excellent Idea!

We most definitely need such a forum. It would be such a service to us all.

[pinto]

5. I'd support that. I like the idea of day-to-day living green strategies.

:thumbsup:

[Blue-Jay]

26. "Strategies!" YES!

It is indeed a matter of strategies. Save the earth, save your wallet, save the cheerleader, save the world.

Wait. Did I say something about a cheerleader? Whatever. It still counts.

Live greener. Live better. Live cheaper. ("greener" is a word. I said so.)

[ludwigb]

6. Excellent Idea

I hope the mods are listening.

[sandnsea]

7. Oh yeah!!

That's a great idea. Stuff does get posted in the environmental forum sometimes, but it would be nice to have one forum as a resource.

[Macchendra]

9. Yeaaa. Strawbridge for prez...

Kick

[Blue-Jay]

21. buh?

Thanks for the kick, but I don't know what you're talking about.

[me b zola]

10. I'm all for it

Here's another topic that we are interested in: How do I convert my car to electric or biofuel?

[Blue-Jay]

11. That might take more mechanical expertise than many of us can offer.

But hey - It doesn't hurt to have a place to ask, does it?

(If your car already runs on diesel, the answer is a lot easier)

^
|

Look up there, people! THAT'S what I'm talking about! (minus my shitty non-answer, obviously)

[rucky]

12. Everything you want to know is here...

www.motherearthnews.com

longtime subscriber

there was a frugal living forum here awhile back. didn't last, tho.

[Blue-Jay]

14. Yes. That's a nice resource.

We get the magazine and everything. ($10 subscription if you re-up at the GreenFest, BTW)

But I want something HERE!

[baby_mouse]

55. Yup. that site's likely to attract people who already know what they're doing.

But it would be good to have something here for people who don't necessarily think about green issues that much. A lot of these sites can have some pretty advanced ideas and complex strategies, it would be good to have a forum here that caters to all levels of green-ness. We can't all afford to build a forest garden! I have a tiny bit of green that I'm not allowed to plough over because the council designated it a drying green ages ago, but I can use leaf-fall for composting and put out potted herbs and the like. I'm going to try potato barrels next year. It would be so cool to develop a forum that could help city-dwellers like me with their green strategies, a lot of the time it seems like we have very little option and a lot of the sites out there that deal with green issues are very grand in scope and often focus on relatively well-off people who can afford to sell up and move out to the country...

[DaveJ]

84. Frugal and Energy Efficient Living is there

Uh, what do you mean it didn't last? It's in my forum list and there was a post there yesterday.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=353

If the name were changed to what the OP suggests I'm sure the content would be pretty much the same.

[asthmaticeog]

13. I'm into it.

I do the best I can, but there's plenty I don't know how to do. A forum like this (as opposed to a group) would be pretty keen.

[Blue-Jay]

17. Ah-HA! You see the difference!

Groups are nice, but forums....Oh! Forums make the world go around!

We can help the lurkers and even the trolls and disruptors. There is not a single person of ANY goddamned political affiliation who isn't OK with saving money and polluting less. (No, dickheads, I'm not talking about any Al Gore shit; I'm talking about being responsible and saving a few bucks. That's OK, right?)

[Raejeanowl]

15. I Would Support That

I am genuinely striving in this direction, and very willing to help and be helped.

[Blue-Jay]

18. Perfect! That's the idea!

My wife & I are doing all we know how to do but we can always use some fresh ideas, and maybe offer some ideas of our own.

That's what I'm talking about!

[SaveOurDemocracy]

16. Great idea ... Thanks Blue-Jay! n/t

:thumbsup:

[Matariki]

19. I like the idea but it sounds like the combination of two existing forums

Environment/Energy covers alternate energy: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=115
and the Frugal and Energy Efficient Living Group covers a lot of what else you're looking for: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=353

Have you checked them out? Another forum on similar topics might dilute conversations on all these forums.

[Blue-Jay]

24. I've checked them both out, but nobody looks at those.

Maybe I'm just suggesting a different way of going about it.

Open to everyone!
Save money!
Spend less!
Free beer!

(OK. Maybe not free beer, but if you spend less on whatever, you can buy more beer. same thing)

[Matariki]

25. I look at the energy forum often actually

The 1st page is almost all posts from today, so I'm apparently not alone in reading and posting on that forum.

If you think no one is looking at those, why do you think a green living forum will be any more active?

[Blue-Jay]

28. YOU'RE the one!

I'm not just talking about energy, although that is certainly something to consider.

[rosesaylavee]

59. I look at that one frequently too

And there are a lot of posters there that do list frugal and green ways of reducing their energy use. Maybe post there and ask if they would agree to adding dif wording to their name to get more exposure?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=353

[fenriswolf]

20. little steps count too

I have always been concious, i live close to the supermarket so i walk, i eat at work so i brought some metal utensils instead of using plastic where every day, I dont let the 7-11 clerk bag things that I can easily carry, I dont waste, i reuse, i recycle aluminum, im on a permanant if its yellow its mellow basis, i drive a kia (30 mpg city!!!! and i bought it super cheap, well i cant afford a taurus and im holding out for better electric cars). I mean big things are great to but alot of us are strapped for cash to afford solar panels (or some rent apartments like me) so be carefull of the little things, even though its just a little plastic, because a drop in the bucket is still a drop in the bucket. I don't buy alot of cheap crap that is thrown away. I am responsable, respectful and conservative when it comes to consumption and consumerism. But I always appreciate more information, especially when it comes to saveing money and my sons only planet.

[Blue-Jay]

22. See? THAT!

That kind of post would die in any of the "big" forums, but it might give someone a good idea in a more specific setting.

[Pirate Smile]

23. Love It!

[Fenris]

27. I think this is a great idea.

[Blue-Jay]

46. I think you're a great man.

[Fenris]

47. Great men need great ideas!

:think:

[progressoid]

29. I think I'd put that in my faves!

[Blue-Jay]

32. Me too.

How do you do "faves" again? :D

[jillan]

30. Count me in!

[Blue-Jay]

31. OK. You're in!

[idgiehkt]

33. I'm all for it

unless it means I have to get rid of the computer. ;)

[Blue-Jay]

35. You'll need to send it to me.

(don't delete the porn)

[Critters2]

34. I think it's a great idea, Blue-Jay.

Here's a kick, and some support.

[Blue-Jay]

41. Yes!

[Perseid]

36. but

it's hard to be green.

[Blue-Jay]

39. Thanks for the kick, Kermit.

I forgive you for messing up the quote.

[Perseid]

37. oops

k and r

[EFerrari]

38. This is a great idea.

:kick:

[AlCzervik]

40. Excellent idea!! Way to SB!

[QueenOfCalifornia]

42. I like it

K&R

[enigmatic]

43. I'm in

:thumbsup:

[nam78_two]

44. I support this-great idea.nt

[Blue-Jay]

45. Indeed it is.

I'm honestly surprised that nobody here thought of it first, as I'm not one for having good ideas. Normally I like to tell dick jokes and act like a total butthole.

THIS! however, is a good idea.

[KillCapitalism]

48. K&R, I'd be interested in participating in this forum!

I just gotta get my star so I can do so.

[KitchenWitch]

49. Actually, if it is classified as a forum rather than a group, you will not need the star,

:hi:

[KillCapitalism]

66. Well I went and got my star this morning.

Go me! :bounce:

[regnaD kciN]

50. I'd go along with that idea...

:thumbsup:

[XemaSab]

51. You're always welcome to post in the E/E forum!

:hi:

[Maraya1969]

52. I already have a question for that forum! What do you do with all the plastic

bags that frozen food and a million other things come in? I go out of my way to use cloth bags to carry my groceries home and make sure I put everything I can into the recycling bin but the plastic bags end up in the garbage. I have slipped the thinner ones in the plastic bags that I take back to the grocery store but I am afraid they may be discarded as useless at the recycling center. I knew a woman once who visited one....years ago.....and said a lot of stuff got thrown away as waste.

[fenriswolf]

53. reuse

plastic doesnt bio degrade so if you do have plastic bags either you can find a use for them or no, i use mine to take my lunches in to work, or as smaller trash bags.

[GliderGuider]

68. freezer bags

The bags that frozen foods come in are great for keeping frozen food in. I use those old frozen food bags to keep food in the freezer.

It was like a revelation to me when I found this out. You know, one of those so-obvious-I-feel-like-a-dope sort of things.
:silly:

The other one is milk bags. If you don't live in my end of the planet you don't know what I'm talking about, but milk in Ontario comes in bags. Three individual bags in a four-litre bag. When one is empty, I cut the top open, rinse it out, dry it on the dish rack and re-use it as a freezer bag or sandwich bag. I haven't had to buy small bags in decades.

[marlakay]

71. Either reuse or use food in a new way

I am now cooking my own chicken meat and turkey and storing in tubs I saved from those lunch meat tubs and bring lunch to work in one of my canvas bags. Its healthier to not eat the additives lunch meats put in and saves on more tubs.

I do get tired of more cooking but with all the crap they put in our food I feel better both mentally and physically.

[baby_mouse]

54. Constructive suggestion! 100% WIN!

I think this is a superb idea! I'd have some information to contribute, too!

[EstimatedProphet]

56. Great idea Blue-Jay

[terrya]

57. Excellent idea! Recommended

Sounds like a great idea!

:thumbsup:

[swag]

58. I'm in.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

60. As a worm composter I say hell yes!

Let's do it!

[dolo amber]

61. Yup yup

:thumbsup:

[mod mom]

62. I like this idea-would be very helpful!

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

63. Go to hell, Blue-Jay.

I mean, great idea! I like it. NPR had a quick segent on yesterday where Laurie David gave a few tips for greener living. Even if you know a lot of the tips, it's good to have a reminder of the little things we can do to make a difference.

Thanks for posting.

[nam78_two]

64. kick.nt

[gollygee]

65. Excellent idea!

I'm in full support of that!

[bullwinkle428]

69. I'd be glad to support it!

I try to push the concept of hypermiling, for example, in threads I come across regarding vehicles and fuel economy, and would welcome a specific sub-forum where I wouldn't feel my info was falling on deaf ears...

[marlakay]

70. Great idea, I would join

I am slowly getting it. Put in energy saving appliances, use canvas bags at stores now, and ride my scooter around town instead of car except in winter. We recycle paper, plastic, alum. But I know I could do more, I would like to learn about the best trees to plant and other ideas.

[Beaverhausen]

72. Great idea!!!

[demobabe]

73. I'm 100% with you, BUT...

What makes you think DUers would be any more inclined to go to this new forum if they're not using the existing one?

I've been trying for weeks to get people interested in what is going on in Appalachia, and today I asked for people to take two or three minutes out of their day to call their Congressperson.

Nothing.

People here generally want to talk, and they SAY they want to take action here at the DU, but in the end, it's all just talk.

Meanwhile, the corporations run roughshod over the earth and engage in activities that will destroy vast amounts of land and the water supply across much of the east coast permanently, and contribute many more tonnes of Greenhouse Gases.

I've explained this - still Nothing.

I'm really beginning to think the other sites devoted to the environmental issues are the places to go, and save the DU for just plain old talk. Use sites for their strengths... we have enough battles to fight without trying to change certain sites to be more to our liking.

I'm with you in spirit, that's for sure - and if you ever want to PM me with any ideas, I'm always up for listening at least.

[nam78_two]

75. I can understand your frustration

I thought your posts on the Appalachia issue were very timely and informative. I passed them on to my enviro lists and many people have already been calling their reps and posting more information on the issue.
I haven't posted it much back here because , as you pointed out, the threads did kinda sink.

But that is one of the reasons I think Blue Jay's idea has merit for an online forum, where people typically tend to share moideas that are more related to their day to day lives. This would be a forum (as I understand it and comprehend it) more about practical stuff useful in people's daily lives and there might be much more participation in such a forum than one where actual research and activism are involved. Activism is much harder work :).

[Lorien]

74. Well, as the person who wrote the mission statement for the

Economic Activism and Progressive Living Group, I'm all for it, but I'm afraid that a "Living Green" forum would come to the same fate...or not. I think the "frugal living group" (Wal-Mart loving Dems) sucked the air out of our group to some extent. Sad, because when a couple of us posted the idea originally over 340 people replied enthusiastically to it. Maybe this time some of the momentum that's here on this thread can be sustained.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

76. Wonderful idea.

I would participate in such a forum.

[MadinMo]

77. Living Green forum

This is a terrific idea!

[Vadem]

78. I would definitely vote for a Go Green forum! Yes!!! ..... n/t

[otohara]

79. Excellent Idea

I'm so into a chemical free home, recycling, etc...

[flvegan]

80. That's a fantastic idea.

I'd vote for/support/whatever that.

[Mind_your_head]

81. I think this is a great idea!

I can imagine that there would be some cross-posting/referencing between the Environment/Energy Forum, as well as the Economic Activism and Progressive Living Group forums, etc. I think that a "Living Green" forum might tend to 'drive-up' the traffic/awareness in related forums/groups, rather than detract, as some here have suggested. Heck, why do McDonalds, Taco Bell/KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King all put their stores together (say in a food court or in a town)? Proven answer: Because it "drives-up" traffic/business for ALL of them!

As others have said, I would love to learn/do more than I know/do now to be more 'green' (and save money too). I also would appreciate a place to share a few ideas/things I know with others who would be interested in the subject. I've thought of posting a few solutions/ideas in GD in the past, but decided against it b/c I didn't want to sound like I was 'standing on a soapbox' to folks who weren't ready/willing/wanting to hear what I wanted to share.

Again, thanks for this GREAT suggestion! :thumbsup:

My 2 cents,
M_Y_H

[MasonJar]

82. I am game! I am a dedicated environmentalist.

[stlsaxman]

83. stlsaxman votes YEA! n/t

[Raine]

85. I'm in!!!

Sounds like a GREAT idea! :thumbsup:

[Blue-Jay]

86. Looks like we (mostly) all agree. Let's do it, Skinner!

I understand that you may have a few reservations about making this a regular forum instead of a "group", but I think that we will see much more participation about a worthwhile subject if we allow everyone to read and add input.

Worst case scenario: Nobody participates, and Elad has to take one minute out of his busy day to delete it. Al things considered, that's not bad for a worst case scenario.

Let's do it!

[prolesunited]

89. So, did you PM him

or send him a link to this thread?

[Sick_of_Rethuggery]

87. Would love it! n/t

[ClayZ]

88. Sign me up! K and R