Contribution by Stevie Kirby
I should probably care more about the environment, I know. I really am one of those people who takes one-hour long shower and leaves the lights on in every room and you know I couldn’t care less about using gas in my Range Rover! But when I moved in with my boyfriend last year he literally started complaining that the electricity bills had doubled (seriously, he went to www.electriccompaniesindallas.com to look into switching companies because he was so frustrated.)
I knew it was because of me since I’m at home all day – I’m a writer – and that I constantly had at least two TVs going and the washing machine on and usually an iron or my straightener and at least three rooms all lit up that I wasn’t even in. Anyway, I’ve tried to teach myself to be a bit more energy-conscious…I really don’t want to be the one who kills our planet just because I’m selfishly hogging all the energy! I’ve been buying less aerosol products and I’ve become really, really conscious of how much electricity I’m using during the day. I mean, we live in Texas so it’s not like it’s not bright enough already in this apartment at noon without turning on any lights!
I know if I want my boyfriend to propose to me at some point I’m going to have to show him I’m mature and able to change. Not only does he care about the environment but I know he doesn’t want to keep spending hundreds of extra dollars a year in energy costs just because we live together. It’s important he knows I’m responsible with money as well as with the environment, and I understand that. Anyway, I’m going to keep learning what I can and trying where it’s easy to start. I think once I master my use of electricity I’m going to move on to trying to save water in my everyday life…that one’s going to be a challenge!