One thing that I've noticed about Europe is that it seems to be more energy efficient and concerned about the environment. I've always had some kind of care for the environment (and that's one reason I tend to lean more towards the left politically). To call me an "environmentalist" would be a far stretch and I tend to agree with the musician Jack Johnson (who happens to be a spokesperson for Patagonia) with his response to the question if he considered himself a environmentalist. Jack Johnson basically explained that he considered someone an environmentalist as one who puts as much effort into saving the environment as he did with his music. My previous concerns for the environment had somewhat selfish motives. My job as a researching graduated student deals with developing sensors to prevent harmful pollutants being emitted into our atmosphere. Then one of my hobbies is going to the beach. Nobody (in their right mind) who likes going to the beach wants the beach to be trashed. Anyhow, I've learned in general how to be more efficient with resources here in Europe. Here are some of my favorite practices.
- Drying Laundry Without Dryers - To sum it up, Europeans don't use dryers for laundry. Oh and they use washing machines that take a long time to do a single load, but run more efficiently. As far as the drying situation, people simply hang clothes and let mother nature and time do their thing. This is probably one practice I'll continue to do in Florida. Even though it takes some time, it really doesn't take that much time to dry. Besides that, even when there is a dryer I tend to not even take my clothes out of the dryer for a few days (pure laziness...I know).
- Grocery Bags - Here you have to pay for plastic bags at the grocery store at 5 euro cents a bag. Even though it's a small charge, it does make you think about whether or not you need a bag. For example, if I'm on my way home from school and stop by the grocery store, I'll usually pack stuff into my backpack instead of buying a bag. Charging for bags also encourages people to reuse bags. IKEA even sells this huge durable reusable plastic bag (similar to an Old Navy Shopping Bag) for 50 cents. This is also another practice I'll probably extend to Florida.
- Public Transport - I've been quite the expert on taking buses around Rome. I think this might be the perfect opportunity to get accustomed to using the bus system in Gainesville to get to campus instead of driving (as I have the past 2 years). This practice would have it's financial benefits also: Save on gas and don't have to purchase expensive UF parking decal.
- Fee On Products with Recyclable Packaging - I've only seen this in Germany, but if you buy let's say a coke in a plastic bottle or a beer in an aluminum can you get charged an extra 25 cents on top of the cost of the product. You get the 25 cents back when you return the empty container. I'd gladly accept this practice in the States, but doubt it would ever happen.
- Lighting - Most people here use those miniature fluorescent bulbs, which are a lot more energy efficient than your typical Edison style filament bulb. I know a lot of people complain that they emit a funky tint of yellow, but just slip on a dope IKEA lamp shade and you're good to go.
- Efficient Showers - Well water heaters in most places in Italy are used on a need basis and using the temperature reading you can heat it to the minimum temperature you need to have a comfortable shower. My bathroom has a "shower" where you have to hold the shower head in your head. It makes it impossible to take a continuous shower. Even though I miss my continuous showers (it's one practice I'll be returning to), I like the idea that I've saved a ton of water this past year.
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