Weather Pulse Blog

NBC Weather Plus has recently been on the move – literally! Check out our new digs at our sister network campus (CNBC) in pristine Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey (see slideshow below). The ultra-modern, lavish, and forward-thinking facilities have been a Godsend for all of us. Two new studio sets (to broadcast our segments to our national and international audience – e.g. MSNBC, CNBC, CNBC International, Nightly News, The Today Show, hundreds of NBC affiliates nationally et al.) and state-or-the-art production and editing facilities are amongst the many welcomed attributes that have put smiles on our faces. We love it! We hope that you will too. In particular, we think that our new- look sets for the morning and afternoon/evening Weather Plus editions will bring a fresh appeal to the airwaves.

SLIDESHOW: Check Out Our New Studio!

Not to worry though - some things have stayed the same; we will continue to provide you with comprehensive local forecasts around the clock – 24/7, year-round. We’ll provide you with your in-depth local forecast at the top and bottom of each hour by meteorologists that you see regularly on your local NBC station, plus – a national forecast (what’s happening today tomorrow and beyond across the country), a seasonal outlook (e.g. tropical or winter outlook shows), your long-range forecast, the Plus Five, and pertinent Weather News.

Check out the complete NBC Weather Plus television schedule at:

And as always keep watching us on your TV’s around the clock and/or via the web at

Our very best to you and yours!

Gary Archibald

Posted by Gary Archibald at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

I learned a valuable lesson today. Did you know that fog and rain do not mix? Especially while driving. Here's what happened to me.

I'm driving up the Jersey Turnpike, heading for our new digs out in Englewood Cliffs (more on that tomorrow). It's raining pretty steadily but traffic was moving, which was actually quite surprising. Everyone in Jersey knows that if it's raining, be prepared to add at least another 30 minutes to your daily commute. So... so far so good.

That is until I hit Exit 13. Now I've been on this Earth for a lonnnggggg time and I swear I've never seen this before. Not only was it raining like crazy, but a thick sheet of fog was gradually descending upon us. Talk about little to no visibility! Traffic came to a slow crawl, cars pulled over to the shoulder, and I was left to wonder how in the world would I make it to work on time!

Take this fog, along with a heavy rain shower, and you get a dangerous mix. (Courtesy: AP)

Luckilly for all of us who were driving this morning, this fog/rain simultaneous event only lasted a few minutes. So I was able to make it to work and update WeatherPlus.com with the latest forecasts and weather information.

Now I may be halucinating, but I can't remember a time when it was BOTH raining pretty hard AND foggy at the same time. Usually if it's foggy, you may get a few droplets, but full-blown rain showers? Pretty odd. Well to me at least. I know from science class (and a few conversations with Gary Archibald) that fog is nothing more than a low-lying cloud. So logic alone would dictate that if the cloud is already on you, it can't possibly rain that hard. But it did. And I prove once again that I know nothing about weather lol.

-Keith

Posted by Keith Davis at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Meteorologists Samantha Davies and Michelle Grossman

Samantha … Here at Weather Plus my shift is usually in the evenings, I work the opposite shift as Michelle Grossman. As we pass each other in the halls 9 times out of 10 we are almost in the exact same outfit. I guess great minds really do think alike! As we both get ready for the thanksgiving holiday, I guess we both had fall in mind when we picked out our Wednesday outfits. Take a look at the 2 pictures!





Michelle … Samantha is right! Luckily for me, my twin sister is living with me, so my wardrobe has expanded ever so slightly. Had she not, Samantha and I just may be matching 10 times out of 10.





Today in New York City, the day before Thanksgiving, it’s very mild. The high temperature will be close to 60, if you can believe that. Nonetheless, the outfit of the day includes a chocolate brown turtleneck, chunky leather belt, and khaki bottoms to round out the ensemble. However there are a few differences. We’re not exactly alike, after all. Sam is sporting a skirt and I’m in pants. Also, I’m wearing boots and Samantha has on shiny patent leather heels. And last, Samantha is wearing gold jewelry and I’m in silver.

Hmmm, I wonder what we’ll wear Friday???

Happy Thanksgiving,
Samantha & Michelle

Posted by at 02:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Introduction by meteorologist Britta Merwin

Many people in the Northeast got a taste of winter waking up this Sunday morning. One of our amazing Weather Producers and meteorologist, Mike Dangolovich, captured the snowfall at his house. This is actually the second snowfall for Mike. In addition, this morning my Weather Producer, Rob Janiec, and I spotted snow flurries on the radar over New York City and Newark, New Jersey. In case you missed the first taste of winter I hope you can experience through Mike’s pictures, enjoy!

Enjoying The November Snow
by producer and meteorologist Mike Dangolovich

I live approximately 40 miles northwest of New York City (and our studios in Secaucus, NJ), and at an elevation of 1000 feet, so my area experiences snow and ice much more often than the city or the studio. This is fine by me, since I am a snow lover to the first degree! Last weekend, I awoke Saturday morning to the season’s first grass-whitening snow, which put me into winter mode big time. And today, it is snowing again and the ground has once again been whitened, but tonight and tomorrow I may actually see the first true snow accumulation of the season as a few inches may fall by tomorrow morning. This will certainly make my commute to work at 2:00am tomorrow much more interesting (and perhaps challenging). Here are some pics of today’s snow; not much yet, but still nice to look at. A harbinger of things to come? I sure hope so!

Posted by at 01:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Meteorologist Samantha Davies

Is our hurricane season over? We aren’t expecting any tropical development through at least Thanksgiving, and the season officially ends on November 30th. There are two tropical disturbances in the Atlantic Basin, but at this time neither of the two show signs of development. You can see these tropical waves highlighted in the graphic below. These tropical waves are producing locally heavy rainfall to parts of South and Central America.

Our tropical season is coming to an end, but for others it’s just beginning. Australia’s tropical season is just getting started, and the first storm of the season has already formed. There is a tropical cyclone brewing northeast of Cairns, Australia. This system is expected to slowly strengthen, possibly making landfall as a category 2 storm.

The Australian tropical season runs from November through April, and it’s expected to be the worst tropical cyclone season since 1998-99 when the region saw 16 tropical storms. This forecast is according to a group of weather experts at University College London, and the UK’s Meteorological office known as Tropical Storm Risk (TSR). TSR predicted that up to 13 tropical storms would form, 7 of those would become severe, and 5 or 6 would hit the Australian mainland. Why the increased activity? It is primarily because of the La Nina weather pattern, currently happening. La Nina contributes to a more active tropical season in this region. This year it’s expected to be the strongest since 1999.

Posted by at 04:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

The busiest holiday travel week of the year is here. With the exception of a snow forecast on Christmas Eve, I consider this the most important and looked at forecast of the year. Over the weekend and into next week the weather pattern across the country will be flip-flopping. The East will go from cold to warm and the West will go from Warm to cold. In the middle of this pattern change we might see a troublesome storm for the busiest travel day on Wednesday. A storm will move from Dallas to Detroit bring rain to most areas of the Mississippi Valley. The big question is what will happen on the backside of the storm. If the storm is strong enough, we could see it pull down a chilly air mass from the Northern Plains and we could be talking snow on the storms backside. Regardless, once the storm pulls into Canada on Thanksgiving the coldest air of the winter season will settle in over the Western 2/3’s of the nation.

Travel Trouble Highlights

Saturday: Rainy in the Northwest, Lake Effect Snow

Sunday: Rainy in the Northwest

Monday: Rain and Snow Northern Rockies

Tuesday: Winter Mix Rockies, Strong Santa Anna Wind Event

Wednesday: Rainy North Texas to Great Lakes, Some Winter Weather Central Plains

Thanksgiving: Rainy and Windy Great Lakes, Rain Ohio Valley

Friday: Rainy in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

Check back for travel updates and a safe trip!

Posted by Bill Karins at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Meteorologist Jeff Ranieri

What a day (FRIDAY) I had in NYC. It was all about the Christmas tree arriving at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. I was sent to the plaza to talk about the tree all day... not a bad way to end the week and get in the holiday spirit.

I have seen the tree many times and it never disappoints. While it's always so beautiful I have wondered many times how they get it placed so perfectly. This curiosity was no doubt spurred by having several trees growing up, that fell over!!!!

WATCH IT: Jeff Ranieri & The Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Mom, Dad, listen up. I got my answer on how the tree is set perfectly in place, here's the deal:

The trucked rolled in around 6 am and a team of over twenty workers wasted no time. From a flatbed truck the tree was hoisted by crane, onto a platform about 7 feet up and then cabled. The 4 cables are key as they are the only thing anchoring the tree in place from different points in the plaza. The cables were all connected by 1pm and the tree was in place.

From 1pm on the tree was then fitted with scaffolding from top to bottom. The worker levels will take two days to complete. After all of the scaffolding is stacked then the decorating begins. We can expect the lights to be added next week with the tree lighting towards the end of the month!

While the tree will be up till after Christmas NBC is continuing it's green mission. As my colleague Jackie Meretsky mentioned in a prior blog the tree is recycled and turned into mulch and the trunk of the tree is used for the National Equestrian Team. This recycling tradition has been in place for decades and will ensure no wasting of the giant Norway Spruce. The tree will also feature GE energy efficient LED bulbs that use 90% less energy. (you can also get these at the store for your own tree as well :-)

Well, it's time to wrap up the day and as I finish this blog I still can't believe how quick this tree was put in place and it seemed as if mother nature knew just what was happening. From around 1pm on the tree was treated to a cold rain and even some snow! The current weather is sure to make the newest guest to the plaza feel right at home and staying green.

Posted by Jeff Ranieri at 05:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bill Karins, Meteorologist

Every major city has curbside recycling except Detroit. I say bring in the Feds

My mission started with a check of the 20 largest cities in the country. I wanted to know who doesn’t enforce or have curbside recycling. The results were encouraging with the exception of the city with arguable the “dirtiest” reputation... Detroit. Fair or unfair, when your nickname forces visualizations of greasy car engines, I’m not exactly going to associate cleanliness with the Motor City.

Curbside recycling is not offered or required in the City of Detroit. A recent article in the Real Detroit Weekly had a quote from the top recycling official saying that the city of Detroit is 30 years behind in their recycling efforts.

Like many other small towns that don’t offer curbside recycling, Detroit’s problem is money. Recycling may be great for the world, good for the conscience, but it’s horrible for the wallet. The business of collecting and selling recyclables is not profitable. The cost of hauling, collecting and sorting outweighs the selling price of the used paper, plastics and metals. Thankfully, many cities have voted to cover the differential with taxes or other allocated funds. Recently because of a growing financial deficit, the city of Baltimore considered doing away with their curbside recycling to save money. In the end, Baltimore decided that taking a step back during the green revolution was a bad idea.

So, if Baltimore and Detroit are struggling to finance curbside recycling how can we expect thousands of smaller cities to do it? The only answer I have is to make recycling state or federally regulated. If our environment is as sensitive to our waste as we now believe, then we have to do something about it. The tax and cost would be our tax for living the privileged lives we have here in this great country. No one wants new taxes but can you think of any better reason for a tax increase? Who knows, with better technology maybe a state or federal recycling program could become profitable.

When it comes to our conscience, going green makes you feel good. It’s been proven that when people have an easy option like curbside recycling, people participate. Let’s make this a bigger discussion than Detroit or Baltimore, let’s make it a state or country issue.

*Update: To Detroit’s credit, they are heading in the right direction, in the last few months they have added many drop off locations for recyclables throughout the city but still no curbside recycling.

Posted by Bill Karins at 04:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Meteorologist Todd Santos

Even while patches of orange, yellow, and brown are replacing much of the green found in the trees across the country, we are continuing the strong push to “go green” right into late fall.

Regardless of whether you feel that human impacts are hurting the planet, why not go green?

Of course just because you recycle, the landfills will not disappear and driving a hybrid may not save the polar bears... though with our collective efforts a positive impact is inevitable. Change is rarely viewed as easy, however in this case, it is the only responsible thing to do for the place we all call home.

If you prefer to keep the ecology out of your daily plans why not at least factor in the economic benefits to your own bank account. In almost every case the long term payout from solar panels, energy conserving appliances, high grade insulation, and even basic conservation add up to huge savings.

It does however take a bit of a shift in our thinking…I have already acknowledged that this is not always easy, though if we begin looking beyond our shortsighted goals, future generations will see the benefits as opposed to grave potential consequences.

Posted by Todd Santos at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Meteorologist Jeff Ranieri

This week and beyond NBC Universal is “Going Green”. Through programming and advertising the network is spreading the word on how you can help the environment. As part of this initiative, NBC Weather Plus was sent into the field to talk about our planet.

While we would head to a few locations, the biggest impact for me were the live shots at the Top of the Rock. Here’s a slice of the journey.

As we climbed to the top in a high speed elevator it’s hard to miss the overwhelming population of visitors from all over. In one elevator ride I could hear German, French and Chinese. The elevator quickly launched us to the top, it was time to work.

I searched for my crew and started getting prepared to go live on MSNBC. A flurry of people were already wondering what was going to be on television. After I explained our mission to “Go Green”
the crowd was ready to speak.

Before I went live I reviewed a few facts from the research I did the night before. Here are a few of my reporter notes:

• The average person goes through 5-7 pounds of paper per week.


• 30 million trees are used to print news and then thrown away.


• Making materials from recycled material can reduce air pollution by 74% and 35% in water pollution.


• Recycling 6 feet of newspapers could save a 35 foot tree.


• Relate - Recycling - Weather - Pollution

While no one knows for sure what we are in store for 20 years from now, we do know that small steps make a difference when it comes to pollution. Going green is more than just a saying, it’s an action.

For more on ways you can “Go Green,” visit the Our Green Earth section on WeatherPlus.com.

Jeff Ranieri - Meteorologist

Posted by Jeff Ranieri at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Dell Alann, Assignment Producer, NBC WeatherPlus

Ok, in case you haven’t noticed, it is fall. This is one of my most favorite times of the year. I can turn off the air conditioner. It’s a time when an open window won’t make me sneeze and the frequency of constant perspiration drops off considerably. And I’ll let you in on a little secret. The best thing about fall, other than the spectacular foliage show, is getting that hour of sleep back. The drawback to autumn is the need to rake leaves.

With the fall comes the leaves.

The painstaking task of raking your yard before the limited daylight leaves you in the dark can be a bit much. You hate doing it. I did. When my parents used to make me clear the yard of the leaves after school I would go cold as ice. Every year, I would look at the 20 trees across our yard stomp my feet and throw pine cones. Unfortunately, we weren’t as earth friendly 15 to 20 years ago as we are now. After structuring what I deemed were well-crafted towers of maple, oak, elm and pine straw, I would set fire to them until they were just flatten heaps of ash. Please forgive me earth…

Last year I worked on a fall gardening story and learned about joys of composting. That piece to date is the most mind-opening earth story I’ve had the pleasure of working on. The idea of cramming leaves, scraps from the kitchen, and plant clippings into a container and then using the organic waste, as nourishment for gardens and plant beds made me wish for those wooden giants in my parent’s yard. Ok, not really.

A good compost can go a long way.

Creating a compost pile is relatively easy. Here’s a perfect way to dispose of those fallen leaves. It’s better to compost them than to have them carted off to the county landfill, or worse, up in smoke.

You can do this in the corner of your backyard or in a large bin. You want to pile material in a cone to capture rain. Moisture is a key ingredient in the decomposition process. How else would you encourage the worms, good bacteria, and fungi to get to work and make your compost pile the rich, earth nutritious mass it can be? Work the dry material toward the center where it can break down in a conducive center core.

Must Adds:

• Grass clippings: Degrade rapidly


• Kitchen scraps: Rinds, orange and banana peels, tea bags are delicious elements for compost piles


• Coffee grinds: Worms love this stuff

Don’ts:

• Meat and fish scraps: Attracts scavengers and creates disgusting odors


• Animal droppings: May contain disease organisms


• Bones and grease: Encourages rodents and you don’t want them


• Ashes: Taken from or patio chimney…suppresses composting

Once you have the nutrient-rich heap you want, add some to your potted plants, gardens and flowering beds as natural fertilizer. Compost is a viable option to chemically produced substances that have no place being exposed to our drinking water or environment at all.

Posted by Keith Davis at 02:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Meteorologist Jackie Meretsky

What's at least 65 feet tall (but usually much taller), travels to New York with a police escort and is part of a 79 year old tradition?

The worlds oldest and tallest criminal?
An antique crane rumored to be worth millions?
The Eiffel tower's first trip abroad?

Think Green!

Of course I'm talking about one of the most famous trees in the world: the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree! On November 28, 2007, millions of tourists and native New Yorkers will come to Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan to witness an extravaganza of height, beauty and light. It is literally a crowd stopper. The tree lighting ceremony is synonymous with the start of the holiday season and it shines brightly until after the new year.

SLIDESHOW: Rockefeller Tree En Route!

This year's tree is cut and on it's way to Rockefeller Center

The history of the tree is almost as long as the 5 miles of lights (roughly 30,000 individual bulbs) that adorn it. The first tree was erected during the Great Depression in 1931 when Rockefeller Center was still a construction site. In 1933, 700 lights were added to the tree and in 1941 the Bronx Zoo donated two live reindeer to take part in the lighting ceremony. By 1964, the ceremony became a major televised event broadcast each year with a celebrity host.

MORE: WNBC's Tree Lighting Coverage

During the 1970s, the environment took center stage and became a national issue garnering major media attention. As the environmental message spread across the country, the winds of change ushered in a new fate for the tree and since 1971, it has been recycled into mulch. In fact, approximately 3 tons of mulch are donated each year to the Boy Scouts of America and other horticultural causes. The largest portion of the trunk is donated to the U.S. Equestrian team to use as an obstacle jump.

Last year's tree was a sight to behold

RELATED: Remember To Recycle Your Tree!

If you are an arborist, or just happen to have an exceptionally tall tree in your front or back yard, you just might be scouted by the manager of Rockefeller Center gardens who drives across many back roads all across the Northeast looking for that one in a million tree. Its just one more branch in the Green is Universal phenomenon.

Posted by Jackie Meretsky at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Meteorologist Samantha Davies

I’m green, are you? I have been environmentally conscious my entire life, but I guess you could say I’ve been officially “going green” for about two years now. It seems that going green is trendy now; major fashion magazines, and glamorous celebrities are now endorsing the green lifestyle and even giving easy tips! Last spring I attended the “Stop Global Warming Tour” put on by Sheryl Crow and Laurie David. It was incredible to talk to Sheryl and Laurie and hear the passion in their voice about wanting everyone to “go green”. I must say I agree with them! All of the research I’ve read, pictures I’ve seen, and stories I’ve heard, really gives me no reason not to go green.

As I transitioned into a greener life style it didn’t put a damper on any of my everyday routines. Here’s what I do (and yes, I really do all of these things!):

I always wash my clothes in cold water.

I always unplug appliances that I’m not using… such as my toaster, cell phone charger, and microwave. I also saw a difference in my electric bill!

My groceries come home with me in my canvas, reusable bag. Now, sometimes I do bring the plastic bags home with me. If I do use them, I always reuse them. One of the stores that I shop at often offers customers a discount if they reuse their plastic bags.

Even here at Weather Plus+ I’m green! All of the paper I use I feed back into the printers so we can use the blank side of it. So all of my scripts, and weather info that I print is used again! All of the batteries used in my microphone get recycled.

These are just some of the things I do to reduce my carbon footprint. As I continue to come up with new green tips I incorporate them into my daily routine. It is an ongoing process for me.

Posted by Samantha Davies at 02:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Jessica Dymczyk, Producer

From as far back as I can remember, “going green” was a part of my life – but 15 years ago it wasn’t called “going green” – in my house it was just referred to as separating the bottles from the cans. But it wasn’t until almost three years ago when I began working at Weather Plus that I really started to notice how global warming has impacted our planet – and how the little green things can make a huge difference in our way of life.

To hybrid or not to hybrid...

After watching story upon story about the detrimental affects of global warming (along with the hike in gas prices after Hurricane Katrina), I decided to buy a hybrid car – and it was the best thing I’ve ever done.
The very first time I sat in rush hour traffic on the George Washington Bridge with my car shut off, I knew I was doing something good for the planet. I could see all the fumes coming out of people’s tailpipes surrounding me, yet my car wasn’t giving off one toxic fume. I can’t begin to explain what it felt like to realize that for the first time in my life I wasn’t contributing to global warming.

And the feeling has never died. In fact, it’s gotten stronger. I’ve since replaced all the incandescent light bulbs in my house with energy-efficient LED ones. Going to the grocery store, now means taking along my canvas shopping bags.

The hybrid logo.

And heading to the local farmers market tops my Sunday morning outings.

Now, I’m not saying I will always drive a hybrid car or that I will never use a plastic bag – I’d be lying. But my point is this… you don’t have to be a “treehugger” to help make the world a healthier place (though there’s nothing wrong with that)… you just have to have a heart, an open mind and know that it’s the little green things that count!

Jessica in her hybrid.

Posted by at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Going Green week has kicked off indeed, and with a bang I might add here at NBC Weather Plus. In fact, driven by the leadership of NBC Universal and GE, our mandate across the board has been and will be to enlighten and reinforce measures that can help save this fragile planet of ours in a meaningful, productive, and revitalizing way.

Wonderful!

The first thing that I have done over the last week is to step up my efforts to recycle. Now, I know that this is not a new concept however I have revisited the notion of taking care to not waste anything that can be salvaged. It’s amazing what you can get rid of once you take a really good look around your home, office or workplace.

It’s the little things that count! They do in fact make a difference.

I’ve also turned down the thermostat. I will be wearing an extra layer or two underneath the blankets, comforter… Save some green with your heating bill in mind. Save energy. Test drive a green-mobile – a hybrid car for example. I like Honda. The Civic hybrid is getting a look this winter for sure. More green in my wallet down the road (so to speak) saving money on fuel costs. I’ll be getting mine in black though if and when I do make the purchase.

Composting is another great idea too. Save on the chemical production of fertilizer – make it the natural way, it’s better for your garden and lawn.

Enjoy saving and preserving our green home!

Posted by Gary Archibald at 02:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

By Dell Alann, Assignment Producer, NBC WeatherPlus

Whether you believe in the whole global warming concept or not one thing is clear. We as a civilized nation could be doing more to live more earth friendly and environmentally sound lifestyles.

We all hear the plugs by Hollywood A-listers and lawmakers challenging us to be “greener”. As I look at the super-sized mansions and gas guzzling SUV’s many we aspire to live like own, I wonder do they really know what it means to be “earth friendly.” Recently, I was watching the domestic goddess (Martha) and she was telling a guest that she has a dark colored swimming pool. The idea is to trap heat eliminating the need for a heater, which in turns saves energy. That’s rather clever don’t you think.

During the premiere of “Ocean’s 13”, Brad Pitt arrived in his usual sleek style, stepping out of a state-of-the-art BMW Hydrogen 7. I have to admit, the car was hot and totally cool. In fact, the H7 doesn’t use fuel or electric motors, yet it is powered off of hydrogen. How genius! Most of us won’t be purchasing on of those puppies, but Brad certainly is trying to keep up his celebrity status without tanking the environment.

I recently went to one of my favorite natural food stores and purchased two cloth bags to begin carrying groceries home. I think some refer to that as “BYOB” – Bring Your Own Bag. That same day, I dropped off the two shopping bags full of plastic building in the pantry. Trust me, it was out of control and I couldn’t find my Cheerios in the morning. Why do we stockpile this stuff? I also went online last year to find a green dry cleaners. I can’t even imagine the toxicity non-green establishments might use on the clothes we wear daily.

So really, you don’t have to spend a fortune or disrupt your daily routine to exist on earth in an environmentally conscious manner. Just think of one thing you can begin doing this week to make a difference and encourage one friend to do the same and believe me…I think we’ll all be universally green before long.

Posted by at 01:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday November 5th marks the start of the NBC family having an entirely “Green” week dedicating programming to becoming more environmentally friendly and hopefully inspiring all of you to head over to the Greenside! Many people know that our planet has taken a hit from our unhealthy and polluting lifestyles but wonder, “how can I make a difference?” Well I’m here to let you know that “Going Green” is not only easy but it can save you money as well, here are some of the tips I have used to give my lifestyle a more greenish hue.

1. Unplug appliances that are not being used.
Now I know it sounds like a bother to run around your home unplugging your microwave, computer, television, lamp, and cell phone charger to just have to plug it in 1 hour later to use your appliance but here is a tip: use a power strip! By putting your appliances on a power strip you simply flip a switch and you are not only saving money on your power bill but you are “Going Green."

2. Replace your traditional light bulb with the new energy saving bulbs.
Some people think that the bulbs are too expensive but the amount of money you will save overtime on powering the lights around your home actually makes these new bulbs a more economical choice.

3. Drive a smaller more fuel-efficient car or a hybrid vehicle.
Okay, I know many people can’t afford to have a nice hybrid car to save the environment but you can drive a smaller car saving you money in the end not only on initial cost but also on gas. I drive a Toyota Yaris, which was very affordable up front, but it also gets up to 40 miles to the gallon!

4. Carpool when you can.
If you have a friend at work that lives near you suggest that you drive together. It might take a few minutes out of your day but it’s an easy way to help the environment and if you alternate driving you could take a nap on the way to work half of the time!

5. Put on a sweatshirt and grab an extra blanket before cranking up the heat.
Everyone I work with knows how cold I get and how much I hate to be cold but by grabbing an extra layer instead of putting on the heat you will save money and the planet. Plus nothing can make you feel more relaxed than cuddling under a blanket!

Now these are just five things that I do to be more environmentally friendly but there are many more out there so come on over to the Greenside!

Posted by Britta Merwin at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)