Dave Cornthwaite | The Creative Explorer

As I paddle along the Mississippi River this summer I’ll be joining forces with Below the Surface, a coast to coast exploration of America’s waterways dedicated to promoting water conservation and improving water quality in rivers and oceans. The 90 Plan is based on the time it takes water to flow naturally along the Mississippi from its source in Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and each day we’ll be sharing a bit of information to give you a better understanding of the situation along the river.

Day 39: July 28th 2011

If you have vacation plans for this summer, please TRAVEL SMART.

Challenge: Plan an Eco-Tourism vacation for your family. Create a brochure and travel guide. Try a

Stay-cation. Are you planning a cruise? If so, check this out:

http://oceana.org/north-america/what-we-do/stop-cruise-ship-pollution/. You may want to reconsider

because cruise ships dump raw sewage and heaps of trash into the ocean during every outing.

For More Information:

http://action.foe.org/content.jsp?content_KEY=3018&t=2007_Ships.dwt

http://www.greenhotels.com/

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3749518

As I paddle along the Mississippi River this summer I’ll be joining forces with Below the Surface, a coast to coast exploration of America’s waterways dedicated to promoting water conservation and improving water quality in rivers and oceans. The 90 Plan is based on the time it takes water to flow naturally along the Mississippi from its source in Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and each day we’ll be sharing a bit of information to give you a better understanding of the situation along the river.

Day 38: July 29th 2011

Keep you car(s) TUNED-UP. Properly maintaining vehicle will increase overall efficiently and lifespan.

Better mileage means fewer emissions and fewer emissions means a healthier planet.

Challenge: Using the link below, if you were to properly tune-up a car, how much could you increase

the fuel-economy of your vehicle(s)? What are the pros and cons of drilling for oil offshore?

For More Information:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml

As I paddle along the Mississippi River this summer I’ll be joining forces with Below the Surface, a coast to coast exploration of America’s waterways dedicated to promoting water conservation and improving water quality in rivers and oceans. The 90 Plan is based on the time it takes water to flow naturally along the Mississippi from its source in Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and each day we’ll be sharing a bit of information to give you a better understanding of the situation along the river.

Day 37: July 26th 2011

Ninety-Five percent of oil in our oceans comes from the land—USE the CARWASH instead of washing

vehicles in the driveway. Most commercial carwashes process or send rinse water containing grease,

oil, detergents, and other gunk to a treatment facility. Once in the water oil, gasoline, and other

hydrocarbons can sicken and kill marine life.

Challenge: Figure out a method to use the least amount of water and detergent to wash a car.

For More Information:

http://www.roadandtravel.com/carcare/wintercarwash.htm

As I paddle along the Mississippi River this summer I’ll be joining forces with Below the Surface, a coast to coast exploration of America’s waterways dedicated to promoting water conservation and improving water quality in rivers and oceans. The 90 Plan is based on the time it takes water to flow naturally along the Mississippi from its source in Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and each day we’ll be sharing a bit of information to give you a better understanding of the situation along the river.

Day 36: July 25th 2011

As you are planning to run errands, MAKE a LIST and CHECK it TWICE to save time and fuel instead

of going out multiple times.

Challenge: Tally the distance you travel to your regular stores and shops for one week. Can you

create a plan to reduce the total distance it takes to shop for the week?

For More Information:

http://sustainablechoices.stanford.edu/actions/on_the_road/shoplocally.html

http://maps.google.com/

As I paddle along the Mississippi River this summer I’ll be joining forces with Below the Surface, a coast to coast exploration of America’s waterways dedicated to promoting water conservation and improving water quality in rivers and oceans. The 90 Plan is based on the time it takes water to flow naturally along the Mississippi from its source in Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and each day we’ll be sharing a bit of information to give you a better understanding of the situation along the river.

Day 35: July 24th 2011

The clothes dryer is a major appliance and it accounts for a sizeable percentage of your home’s

energy bill. Find a way to HANG it on the LINE today. Dryers wear-out clothes more than the

washing machine, this step will also help to

Challenge: Make a list of items that would be easiest to hang on a clothesline and scout a place to

have one in your yard for rest of summer.

For More Information:

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/laundry.html

http://www.laundrylist.org/

As I paddle along the Mississippi River this summer I’ll be joining forces with Below the Surface, a coast to coast exploration of America’s waterways dedicated to promoting water conversation and improving water quality in rivers and oceans. The 90 Plan is based on the time it takes water to flow naturally along the Mississippi from its source in Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and each day we’ll be sharing a bit of information to give you a better understanding of the situation along the river.

Day 34: July 23rd 2011

Another way to save energy while using the washing machine is to WASH with COLD WATER. Most

detergents are formulated to work with cold water. Even switching the water temperature from hot

to warm will cut energy use by about half.

Challenge: How can the use of non-chlorine bleach lead to cleaner water?

For More Information:

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/laundry.html

As I paddle along the Mississippi River this summer I’ll be joining forces with Below the Surface, a coast to coast exploration of America’s waterways dedicated to promoting water conversation and improving water quality in rivers and oceans. The 90 Plan is based on the time it takes water to flow naturally along the Mississippi from its source in Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and each day we’ll be sharing a bit of information to give you a better understanding of the situation along the river.

Day 33: July 22nd 2011

Washing machines and dishwashers are great devices; just make sure to run them FULLY LOADED.

These appliances use a lot of energy and water; dishwashers use between 20-30 gallons per wash

and washing machines use between 40-55 gallons.

Challenge: Why is it a good idea to hold off using these appliances during or shortly after a storm?

For More Information:

http://www.epa.gov/watersense/index.htm

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/laundry.html

As I paddle along the Mississippi River this summer I’ll be joining forces with Below the Surface, a coast to coast exploration of America’s waterways dedicated to promoting water conversation and improving water quality in rivers and oceans. The 90 Plan is based on the time it takes water to flow naturally along the Mississippi from its source in Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and each day we’ll be sharing a bit of information to give you a better understanding of the situation along the river.

Day 32: July 21st 2011

Recent studies indicate that traces of medicine, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products are

showing up in our drinking water. PROPERLY DISPOSE of UNUSED PILLS and do not flush them down

the toilet. This is an activity that requires adult supervision.

Challenge: How do medicines harm aquaculture? Are other people’s prescriptions good for you?

Where might concentrations be the highest? Unfortunately drinking bottled water may not solve

this problem. See for yourself, this has the potential for a great deal of concern.

For More Information:

http://www.epa.state.il.us/medication‐disposal/facts.html

http://www.aidforaids.org/

As I paddle along the Mississippi River this summer I’ll be joining forces with Below the Surface, a coast to coast exploration of America’s waterways dedicated to promoting water conversation and improving water quality in rivers and oceans. The 90 Plan is based on the time it takes water to flow naturally along the Mississippi from its source in Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and each day we’ll be sharing a bit of information to give you a better understanding of the situation along the river.

Day 31: July 20th 2011

Every year, households in America tend to generate about 100 pounds of Hazardous Household

Waste (HHW). KNOW WHAT is in YOUR HOME! HHW ranges from: paints and drain cleaners to

fluorescent bulbs and used motor oil. Go through your home to investigate and tally HHW sources.

By checking under sinks, in cabinets, the basement and garage you will find the majority of HHW.

Challenge: Choose three standard cleaning products that are considered HHW and find a way to

replace them with a safer alternative. Example: a plunger is an alternative to harsh chemicals used

to un-clog drains.

For More Information:

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/hhw.htm

http://www.scjohnson.com/environment/growing_1.asp

As I paddle along the Mississippi River this summer I’ll be joining forces with Below the Surface, a coast to coast exploration of America’s waterways dedicated to promoting water conversation and improving water quality in rivers and oceans. The 90 Plan is based on the time it takes water to flow naturally along the Mississippi from its source in Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, and each day we’ll be sharing a bit of information to give you a better understanding of the situation along the river.

Day 30: July 19th 2011

The more we use the AC, the more we may need it. Air conditioners account for about 5% of

America’s energy consumption; this summer, cut costs by finding alternative ways to BEAT the HEAT.

Challenge: Five-percent of this nation’s energy is a lot of juice. Calculate how much power America

uses and how much power a typical station produces. How many power plants are needed to create

5% of America’s energy?

For More Information:

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/pdfs/energy_savers.pdf

www.acee.org