Ten (Easy) Things You Can do as a (Lazy) Writer to Help Improve the World

Posted by Drew and Rod:

I think as a whole, we writers are a pretty lazy bunch. At least for me, summoning the will to force myself into seclusion to write is a pretty big event, and especially after a wretched day at work, the fact that I get upstairs as all is indeed a feat. So, until Rod sprung the idea that Warrior Poet Group should take on some social issues to help better the world and support literature at the same time, admittedly, I wasn't the most eco-conscious. Sure, I was doing some things to help improve the environment, but I wasn't really looking for ways to improve my contribution until now-ishly.

Recently, my wife (having just watched a documentary on how Exxon lobbyists [and other oil companies] are spinning anti-science to shut down the scientists decrying the global warming crisis), and I sat down and had a discussion about what we could do to help bolster our efforts in cleaning up the environment. We came up with a lot of ideas--some more easily implemented than others. So without further ado, here are ten things you can do to save the world without having to get up out of your writing chair too much:

1. Change your desklamp (and all the bulbs in your house to CFL bulbs). CFLs not only last longer, but they save you on average $42 per bulb for the life of the bulb. We swapped out our whole house, and I saw a $15-$20 drop in my electric bill. If you want extra credit, go with lower wattage CFLs, because honestly, if you want to be in brightness equivalent to the sun, go outside.


2. Turn off your computer when you're not using it. This is my big sin. I leave that beast running 24/7, when really, if lucky, I get 2-3 hours a day on it. These days most PCs have at least 450watt power supplies--that's chewing up a lot of energy for no benefit. You can also download freeware programs like CO2 Saver that ensure your computer shuts off after a set idle time. For extra credit, turn off your printers, and your computers at work when you go home at night.


3. Don't leave lights on if you're not using them. Mythbusters proved that you don't save energy by leaving a light on if you're leaving the room for just a second. Besides, developing good dark vision will help you escape the vampires, cannibals, and Republicans that may be lurking and going bump in the night. Try writing by the monitor's glow, or by candlelight--I find both to be very conductive to my creativity.


4. Cut your paper usage. As writers, we all do a lot of printing: editing, submitting, reading, and trading with friends. Try to limit your print jobs. Many literary journals are (finally) starting to switch over to email/online submission practices; cater to those magazines over traditional snail mail...you'll save on postage too. Also, try to do as much editing on your computer as possible; if the screen is giving you a hard time with finding errors; read your manuscript out loud. When commenting on friend's work, make use of the "Track Changes" feature common in every office suite. That way you can still mark things up, but it'll be color coded, and easily emailed back to boot.


5. When you do have to print, try to make sure it's on recycled paper. Most stationary stores have at least one recycled alternative. Look for "100% Post-Consumer Content" for the best ecological impact. Be sure to recycle the paper you use. Here are some brands to look for at your favorite office supply store (courtesy of newdream.org)







In Office Depot look for:
Office Depot’s EnviroCopy paper—35 % PCW
Office Depot’s Eco-Friendly Binders—made of 100% recyclable materials.
Tops Second Nature Writing Pads/Notebooks---100% recycled, 40% PCW
3M Post-It Recycled Notes—100% recycled, 30% PCW
In Office Max look for:
NatureSaver Recycled Steno notebooks—60% recycled paper, 30% PCW
OfficeMax MaxBrite Laser/Inkjet/Multipurpose paper—30% PCW
In Staples look for:
Ampad Recycled Notebooks—50% recycled content, 20% PCW
Staples Recycled copy paper—30% PCW
Earthwise Recycled Composition Book—100% recycled.
Southworth 25% Cotton Recycled Paper



6. Offset the paper you do use by switching your billing statements to paperless. Most credit cards, phone companies, and even utilities offer this option, where you receive your bill in your email account as opposed to the mail. Some companies even offer an incentive for making the switch (e.g., Progressive Insurance plants a tree in a National Forest for every policy switched to paperless). If you want to go a step further, you can take yourself off the junkmail lists. Much like the federal do-not-call list, there are several organizations that will help you remove your name from junk mail lists. Here are a few to try:

   https://www.optoutprescreen.com/ or 1-888-5-OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688).
   http://opt-out.cdt.org/
   http://www.fightidentitytheft.com/junkmail.html
   http://www.dmachoice.org//index.php



7. Buy used books. Half.com and the Amazon Marketplace offer nearly any book you can think of for drastic reductions in cost. Many books on half.com are as cheap as $0.75. Buying used books saves paper, and gives you a little bit of added color to your book's copy.


8. Fix that leaking faucet. I (Drew) am, by far, the least handy person around, and I recently replaced both bathroom sink faucets in our house because they were so leaky and corroded. In most cases though, you should be able to get away with just replacing the gaskets. This will save you from wasting thousands of gallons of water a year, and even with replacing both faucets, I only spent around $60. I'm sure gaskets are just a couple of bucks.


9. Buy canvas bags, or re-use your plastic bags when grocery shopping. Most places these days are starting to offer canvas grocery bags for about a dollar; you can find fancier ones online for a little more, and places like Aldi's have been doing the recycling thing for a long time. In addition to being reusable, most canvas bags hold 2-3 times as much as a traditional plastic bag.


10. Finally, use those writerly talents to raise eco-awareness. Write an informative short story or poem. Post a blog. Write emails to friends and politicians. Do what you have to in order to get the word out.