The new year is a great time to think about personal goals. What are you going to do in 2009 to live green? Consider changing 3 more incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) or trying out a cool new LED light bulb. Simple things can be done every day.
We'll continue to bring you timely tips to help you fulfill your goals to live green, 365 days a year.
Wood Stoves: Proper use protects air quality
A warm fire in the cold of winter is quite cozy. I even enjoy the smell of wood smoke in the air. Despite my nostalgic sentiments, the reality of wood smoke is less appealing: it contains toxins and harmful microscopic particles, that present issues for personal health and air quality.
To reduce smoke emissions from wood-burning appliances, follow these best practices:
Burn less. If you do not depend on it for heat, burn less often. it is more economical and will reduce air pollution for you and your community.
Only burn clean, dry, seasoned, untreated wood. Burning other materials causes more hazardous air pollutants, and may damage your stove as well as your health.
Maintain your appliance. Make sure all flues, chimneys, and exhaust vent pipes are properly connected, in good condition, and remain unobstructed. Have all combustion appliances cleaned and inspected once a year.
Convert to a cleaner burning appliance. All woodstoves manufactured since 1988 must be EPA-certified, which means they use one-third less wood than older stoves to produce the same heat, while emitting 50% to 60% less air pollution. Natural gas fireplaces also reduce air pollution.
Learn more about wood smoke from the MPCA and the Minnesota Department of Health.
Slippery sidewalks? De-ice the green way
De-icing salts can damage the plants along your sidewalk and street. These salts also wash away with melted snow and flow into our lakes and rivers. What to do?
Preventing ice is the best way to reduce the impact of salts:
Shovel sidewalks as soon as possible after a snowfall.
Deposit snow in a location where it won't cause future problems during melting/refreezing.
Remove slush and soft snow on warm days.
Fix rain gutter leaks and direct downspouts away from sidewalks and driveways.
Choose a nicer de-icer. Even the best scrapers and chippers may face an ice problem. Use a de-icer to lower the freezing temperature of the water, causing the ice to break apart. Choices you'll see at the local hardware store:
Salts—sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride—are toxic to plants, trees, and waterways. One teaspoon of salt can contaminate 5 gallons of water forever, so use as little as you need to get the job done.
Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) and other acetate de-icers are salt-free, have a low toxicity, and are biodegradable. They do, however, contribute excess nutrients to our waterways and must be applied appropriately.
De-icers aren't for melting away every bit of snow and ice. Use enough to break the ice away from the pavement, then shovel away the remaining slush. See the MPCA's Sidewalk Maintenance Manual for further information.
Hire someone else to do your plowing? Private companies who apply road salt can voluntarily get trained and certified by the MPCA in road salt best practices. See if your contractor is certified; if not, share this free training with them.
Days of our green lives: Community events and resources
Join together with friends, neighbors, & family to expand your knowledge about all aspects of living sustainably at Back to Basics - Less is More, January 31, 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m., Pine River-Backus School.
Have you ever considered using renewable energy? The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society is offering a class called Introduction to Renewable Energy and Options, February 7, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Flannery Construction (St. Paul).
Connect with the Duluth-area green communuity at the 17th annual Living Green Conference, February 7, noon-4:30 p.m., Lake Superior College (Duluth).
Buy or sell a bike of any kind at the Twin Cities Bike Swap, February 8, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., National Sports Center (Blaine).
Look for more events on the SEEK and NextStep calendars.
Missed an issue? Read past newsletters in our online archive.
Wood Stoves: Proper use protects air quality
Slippery sidewalks? De-ice the green way 
