Today, as I’m sure you’re already aware (unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock – which actually might be pretty environmentally friendly) is Earth Day. I was taking a peek around for ideas of how I might mark the day and thought I might take some inspiration from Earth Day Canada’s Top 10 Actions to Help the Environment. Here are The Scratchboard’s Top Ten Actions for Artists to Help the Environment:
1. Park It: Leave your car at home as you head off to a local gallery today or to the new show opening this weekend. It’s Spring, so walk or bicycle to the gallery. If it’s too far to walk then take the bus, or play chauffer for a group of your fellow artists and carpool.
2. Shut Down: Do you turn off all the lights, radio and your computer when you leave your studio? You should! Also, whenever possible you should purchase the most energy efficient appliances available and make use of any energy saving options that come with new equipment, for example your computer’s standby and auto power off functions. And when you decide to replace your old computer ask if your city or municipality has an electronics recycling/disposal program.
3. Use It: Is there a more environmentally friendly version of your chosen medium, support or art-related materials? Even switching to recycled paper sketch pads will have a positive impact on the environment.
4. Buy It: Whenever possible support your local art supplies shop. Chances are they’re ordering the same items you need for other artists and you won’t duplicate the shipping. Alternatively, get together with a group of artists to order your materials and reduce your shipping “footprint”. Also, if you have art supplies you’re not going to use, donate them to your local school art program or organise an art supplies exchange with a group of local artists.
5. Watch It: What do you do with the waste products from your studio? Contact your local city department or municipal office about collecting/recyling studio wastes like paint, turpentine, etc.
6. Don’t Be Idle: Any time your car is stopped for more than 10 seconds (except in traffic) put it in park and turn off your ignition. Even if you’re only going into your art supplies store “for just a minute” (yeah, like that’s ever happend!) turn off your car. Idling wastes fuel, creates more exhaust, and because your vehicle’s engine operates at less than peak when idling, you’re leaving behind damaging deposits and residues in your engine, which can decrease engine performance and damage parts (my brother’s a mechanic).
7. Keep Your Eye on the Temperature: Is your studio so warm in Winter you could toast marshmallows or so cold in Summer you could store fish? Try adjusting your thermostat: a degree or two below room temperature in the Winter and a degree or two above in the Summer will make a huge difference in the long run. Also consider replacing your old manual thermostat with a programmable one that will automatically adjust the temperature at night or at other times when you could scale back on your heating or cooling.
8. Bright Ideas: What kind of lighting do you use in your studio? Incandescent bulbs? The next time an incandescent bulb burns out replace it with a compact fluorescent lights (CFL): they use less energy and last longer, too. And when your CFL eventually does burn out, make sure you return it to your retailer for recyling.
9. Don’t Dump It – Blue Box It: Not sure what to do with that stack of reject sketches or old artist magazines? Bundle them up and, if your community doesn’t have curbside recyling, take them with you to the recyling depot the next time you head out for groceries – two trips for the price of one!
10. Tell Someone: Go forth, spread the word and encourage other artists to go green!
Well, go on… this post is done now… get going and be green!
