In the kitchen keep you refrigerator away from all heat sources. This includes dishwashers, ovens and radiators.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Don't leave computers, televisions or other appliances on standby mode. This wastes electricity as they use almost as much electricity in their standby mode as when they are fully functioning. All lights on appliances should be turned off when not in use.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Leave a a few inches space behind your refrigerator to ensure that the air circulates properly around the condenser coils and vacuum coils at least once a year.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Open your fridge door as little as possible to reduce heat loss.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Don't keep you fridge too cold. This wastes energy.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Keep you fridge and freezer full.  This helps to retain the cold. If your fridge is not full, store a bottle full of water to keep in the cold box.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Run your dishwaster only when it is full.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

When using your dishwasher, choose the air-dry option instead of the heat-dry option. If your machine doesn't have an air-dry option, simply open the door when the final rinse cycle is finished.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

In your washing machine use cold water for washing and rinsing clothes. This can reduce electricity use by up to 80%.  Better for your pocket and better for the environment.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

When using your washing machine, wash full loads of laundry as much as possible.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Use your washing machine's high-speed spin to extract most of the moisture from the clothes.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

If possible dry your clothes in the open air. This is better for your clothes and for the environment.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

If you have to use a clothes dryer, separate heavier items from lighter ones.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Where possible, dry multiple loads of laundry in a row. Each subsequent load will use the residual heat from the previous load.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

If you do not have a garden of your own, check out whether there is an allotment programme in your area and start growing some vegetables there next week.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Do not take your food for granted. Be grateful to God, the Earth and those who have grown and prepared your food.  Make a resolution to say a prayer of grace for the food that you eat, and, as you end the meal, say a word of thanks.   Remember your life and well-being involves consuming other
forms of life.  If you are thoughtful about what you eat and how you eat it, meals can be sacraments.   If not, they can be a desecration.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Did you see the sun dance this morning?

For interesting ideas of what can be done ecologically in your parish and/or community, have a look at these websites: 
www.christian-ecology.org.uk/stbenedicts.htm 
www.christian-ecology.org.uk/minster-abbey.htm

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Make sure that the hotpress in your house is well lagged to minimise heat loss.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Never, ever waste water.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Limit watering lawns, especially when water is scarce.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Revive water harvesting techniques and protect watershed areas by encouragng forestry programmes.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Think of ways to conserve water at home, at school or workplace. Fix faulty faucets.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Find out who really owns the bottled water companies in your area. Make sure that the data on the bottle is accurate.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .  

Challenge recommendations to take water responsibility away from local and national governments and hand them over to powerful transnational corporations.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Become an advocate and defender of water for all as a Basic Human Right.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Learn to develop a reverential attitude towards water. It is a vital liquid.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Water is essential for all life. Respect it. 6,000 children die each day because of waterborne diseases.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Every time you see water, remember it is a gift of God. Yet, over 1.3 billion people do not have access to clean, drinkable water.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Get back to cooking your main meal each day during Lent. Let the Sunday lunch be an extension of the Eucharist you received at Mass.  The slow-food movement is gaining ground all over the world, even in Ireland. See www.slowfood.com

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Why not grow some of your own food this year.   After Lent you might begin planting lettuce, cabbage, carrots and potatoes.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

There might be a gardening club in your area. This would help you learn how to grow things from the experience and expertise of others.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Never, ever waste food.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Unless you grow them yourself never say it with flowers.  Much excellent land in Third World countries, such as Kenya and the Philippines, is devoted to producing flowers.  Vast quantities of chemicals are used and the flowers are disposed after a few short days.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .  

Avoid Fast Food.  It is bad for you. In young people, it causes obesity. In older people, it causes many other diseases, especially heart disease.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .  

Be aware of "food miles". This means being conscious of the distance your food has travelled from where it is produced to your table.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .  

Luxury crops such as pineapple are grown on lands in Third World countries.  This land ought to be growing food for local people. Eat what is in season in your area and enjoy it.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .  

Much of our conventional food is flown from halfway around the world. If there is a farmers' market in your area, support it buy buying your food there.  This supports local farmers and is good for the planet.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .  

When you have a choice, buy organic fruit, vegetables, meat, root crops, potatoes, dairy products and meat.  Organic food is more nutritious and is free from all pesticides, herbicides and other harmful chemicals.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .  

Christian Ecology Link, composed of Christians from many churches, is an invaluable resource in developing a Christian ecological consciousness. Visit its website at www.christian-ecology.org.uk

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .  

When you are making tea or coffee, boil only as much water as you need.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Avoid using electric lights when there is a good source of natural light. Use energy-saving bulbs where possible. These bulbs use only one quarter of the energy used by standard bulbs. At present energy saving bulbs are more expensive than conventional ones but the reduced running costs will mean that it will be possible to recoup your initial outlay in a short period.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Ensure that your attic is well insulated. If the insulation in your attic is less than 250mm you are advised to add further layers. There is a variety of suitable material, from sheep's wool to polystyrene, cellulose fibre and multilayered foil.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Good insulation reduces both the heating bill and carbon dioxide. Double-glazing is an ideal way to reduce heat loss. While the initial capital costs are high, the return in terms of reduced heating bills is significant. In addition, always close the curtains in your house when the heating system is on. It is important to insulate your roof properly. Hot air rises and a considerable amount can escape through the roof if it is not properly insulated.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Make sure that the cylinder in your hot press is lagged to minimise the loss of heat.

In the kitchen. When buying electrical appliances like fridges, freezers, dishwasher or ovens always look at their energy efficiency. Remember that pressure cookers and microwave ovens use less energy than conventional ones.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .

Very often when we turn on the hot tap, scalding water flows out within 30 seconds. Many people will find that a setting of around 60 degrees Celsius will be quite adequate for their needs. In your bathroom why not install a spray tap? This delivers as little as a cup of water for every half bucket from an ordinary tap.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh . 

Turn down the thermostat in your home by 1 degree Celsius. This can save over 10% on your fuel bill and also pump less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you feel a little cold then wear extra clothes.

Daily Eco Deeds from books by Seán Mc Donagh .