earth day activity kit: WaterWall
One of the great things about the timing of Earth Day is that by the time it rolls around each year we have said good-bye to winter and are well into spring. Now, even though our winter woes over heating costs are over, the summertime cooling cost blues are just around the corner. If you’re the type of green pragmatist who refuses to switch on the AC and would rather just open window or turn on a ceiling fan then you’ll definitely appreciate having a WaterWall in your home.
By lining west facing windows with glass bottles filled with water you can drastically reduce heat gain within your home and cut your need for energy eating artificial cooling systems. The water inside the bottles acts as thermal mass, absorbing and storing incoming heat and then releasing it after the sun has set when you can actually use the warming effect. You can use almost any type of bottle you have around the house, from water bottles to mason jars to really great looking decorative bottles, as long as they’re glass and as long as you like them!
This project is not only practical but also lovely: the sunbeams reflecting and refracting through the water will dance across your walls in shimmering light that will brighten your home and your mood. You can add all sorts of decorative elements to customize your WaterWall and make it all the more attractive. Download the WaterWall DIY Guide to learn how to create this practical, beautiful green addition to your home just in time for the warmer weather.
You can choose to leave your bottles empty or fill them with flowers, grasses, or food coloring.
Make take-out nights a waste-free event by asking restaurants to hold the plastic utensils and condiment packets...
