Environment - Easy ways to make a difference

So the first thing to know about the basics is that the whole environmental movement revolves around the 3Rs, reduce, reuse, and recycle, in that order.

The first and most important thing (by far) that we want to do is to reduce. That means in energy, in waste, in water, in whatever. Reducing is the easiest way to make a positive environmental impact. This is because no resources ever went into making the thing you never used in the first place. In other words, if you don't use something, you prevent it from being made.

The second most important thing to do is to reuse the things you produced. This includes using a refillable water bottle, using glass cups and ceramic plates rather than disposable ones, reusing plastic or paper bags at the grocery store, and well, you get the idea.

Finally, once you can't reduce or reuse something, you resort to recycling as a last ditch effort. Recycling is good, but not nearly as good as the other two R's because there is a certain amount of energy and environmental degradation associated with the object before it got to the point of being recycled. I'll send you some recycling facts later so you can see how much recycling helps save energy and resources (but remember, the most effective way of saving energy and resources is to reduce!). Instead of throwing out your newspaper, recycle it. Instead of throwing out your yard waste and table scraps, compost it. (Composting is a lesson I'll save for another day).


So here's a list of things that you can do to reduce your environmental impact:

Reduce - Turn off the lights when you're not in the room.
Take shorter showers
Carpool, or bike to work.
Use energy efficient appliances like compact fluorescent bulbs
Insulate your house
Eat less meat - its the number one energy consumer in the US. I'll explain in full later if you want me to.
Lower your thermostat in the winter, and raise it in the summer.
Use a fuel efficient car.
Plant trees - make a positive impact rather than a smaller one.

Reuse - Get a refillable water bottle rather than drinking bottled water.
Use a reusable bag when you go to the grocery store, or reuse your plastic bags that you have.
Use reusable dishware, or rewash the disposable ones. There's no reason you can't use them multiple times.

Recycle - Well, recycle all the trash you can rather than throwing it out.
Compost


Its important to focus on the things that have the largest impact. If you're trying to save water, limit your shower time, not your drinking water. So in this list, I've given you some of the larger ways to make a difference.

Here's a great 20 minute movie that you should watch about where we get all of our "stuff" from and the impact it has on us and the world: storyofstuff.com

I hope this helps!


A Few Things You Can Do To Easily Effect The Environment

· Use compact fluorescent light bulbs - they only take a fraction of the energy to use (and also can save you hundreds of dollars a year in electric costs).
· Use low-flow showerheads (another great way to save money).
· Wash clothes in cold water – 90% of the energy used to wash clothes is spent heating the water.
· Don’t overdry your laundry.
· Use ceiling fans – They operate for a fraction of the cost of an air conditioner.
· Replace AC filters – Your air conditioner will run much more efficiently if you clean or replace its filter every other week during heaviest use.
· Purchase Energy Star products – These appliances are approved for meeting energy efficiency standards.
· Seal the air leaks in your home – This can save you 5-30% on your heating and cooling bills.
· Use proper insulation and ventilation.
· Use set-back thermostats to automatically turn off the heat or AC while you are out of the house, and automatically turn it back on just before you get home.
· Replace your old refrigerator – Current Energy Star models are about 40% more efficient than conventional models built before 2001 and 50% more efficient than those made before 1993.
· Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
· Take shorter showers.
· Recycle
· Compost.
· Vote responsibly.
· Reuse Paper.
· Put your computer in Power Save Mode instead of using a screen saver.
· Reuse.
· Print double-sided paper (duplex).
· Carpool.
· Walk or bike instead of driving.
· Buy green energy credits.
· Reduce .
· Join grassroots environmental societies that promote sustainability support.
· Read The Lorax (Dr. Suess).
· Regular car maintenance (tire pressure, emissions…).
· Write songs about the environment.
· Spread the word about the importance.
· Conserve Water.
· Don’t flush when you can get away with it.
· Plant trees.