How do you measure up?

Take this simple test to determine how eco-minded you are

(then read the explanations below)

There is much that is being done in most of the developed world - with, perhaps, one notable exception - to preserve natural resources and to devise methods and means whereby alternatives may be found to avoid further depletion.  These efforts are being made on national, intra-national, and international levels.  But there remains much that the individual consumer can do to support these global activities on a personal level.

1.  It has been estimated that a saving of 25 per cent of energy consumption can be achieved by turning off computer equipment when it is not being used during the day.  Turning it off at the end of the day can save a further 50 per cent..

2.  It is self-evident that using both sides of a sheet of paper will reduce paper consumption to the extent that the practice is adopted.

3.  An article published by the Canadian environmental agency claims that one drop of water wasted every second amount to 10,000 litres of water per year.

4.  Paper re-cycled does not deplete natural resources.  Encouraging the use of re-cycled and re-cyclable paper will help to preserve the world's forests.

5.  Turning off lights that are not immediately required could avoid some of the black-outs currently affecting so many of the areas of the world through overload.

6.  It is more environmentally effective to restore and repair than to replace.  It is past time for the practice of conspicuous consumption to be discouraged.

7.  A plastic container filled with stones, placed in a toilet cistern, will displace about four litres of water per flush.  Try multiplying that by the number of flushes per day and then by 365 to calculate the total annual reduction in water use per toilet.

8.  It is rare these days for local government environmental agencies not to provide re-cycling facilities.  Not merely bottles, but paper, aluminium cans, clothing, etc.  It may take a little more effort to use these facilities than merely to dispose of these items via the garbage can, but the benefit to the environment of so doing is enormous.

9.  Failure to service a motor car regularly results in uneconomic use of fuel and increased pollution.  Servicing a car regularly is not only ecologically beneficial, but of economic benefit also.

10. Walking or cycling rather than using a car not only reduces environmental congestion and pollution, it also improves ones health.