I think it would be a great idea to create bracelets with How much did you save today? imprinted on them. Ya know, like WWJD (What would Jesus do?). This bracelet I envison would cause us to think about our choices that impact the environment throughout each day. Until then, I have framed this brown paper bag I saved from a trip to the grocery a while back as a reminder. How much electric power did I save today by hanging my laundry outside to dry, by opening up the windows in my house and car instead of turning on the air conditioning, by adding layers of clothing rather than turning the furnace setting up? How much space did I save in the landfill by recycling, by choosing to purchase recyclable packaging material or reduced packaging, by thinking of alternate uses for things that no longer serve their original purpose, by repairing items rather than throwing them away and buying new, by bringing my own silverware to fast food restaurants rather than using plastic throw away utensils? How many trees did I save by declining paper napkins when ordering at a fast food drive-thru, by choosing the option of e-newsletters vs. a paper copy, by printing on both sides of the paper? How much fuel did I save by growing a vegetable garden, buying products that are locally produced, buying produce that is in-season so it's not being transported from halfway around the world? You get the drift...
I also liked the bag's statement, "Check your savings on your receipt." The receipt is our carbon footprint. The savings is what we choose to do to make a difference in our own little piece of the puzzle. Happy Earth Day!