Green Energy

I have always been a bit of a tree-hugger. When we would go camping, I loved to just walk through the woods. Hemlock Gorge was always where I felt "at home" and would spend the majority of my time there. I haven't been there in a couple years and the last time I did go, it was after they had found and destroyed an infestation in the trees. I think it was the Emerald Ash Borer that had infested the trees, but the infested trees had to be removed so they didn't harm the healthy trees. Sadly, many trees had to be taken out. What was once my refuge had become open and odd to me. It was no longer home, but a strange place that hardly looked familiar.

Growing up, we also had recycling bins on the porch, and all we had to do was put the recycling out with the trash every week. It would be picked up in a separate truck and I was happy to be doing a little to help the environment.

Since I have moved out of my parents' house seven years ago, I haven't been recycling because I don't just put it to the curb for pickup. But since I've started my new job, the little voice in my head pushing for recycling is getting louder. At work I see a lot of paper and plastic waste.

I have been trying to print on the backside of old paper and refill my plastic bottle instead of getting a new one. When I'm done with the bottle I try to take it to my boyfriend's parents' house because they recycle.

Since I went to MIAT, I have been paying more attention to green energy and alternative energy. It is continuing to gain momentum and I'm excited about this. I have been thinking about getting a house for a while now, and I would love to use some form of alternative energy. I was thinking about solar panels, but they are pretty costly. Since a main focus of the training of the Power Tech Institute is wind energy, I have started thinking about that. A windmill in the backyard could be fun and a great learning experience.

I guess this is just my ramblings of wanting to do more and feeling pretty helpless about it.
Any suggestions?