Here are some EcoTips to minimize our ecological foot print. Beginning to make a positive difference in a small way would change our attitude, and this attitude will become a habit through repetition.
In general, think before you buy any product - do you really need it? How did the production of this product impact the environment and what further impacts will there be with the disposal of the product (and associated packaging materials)? When you are thinking about buying something, try the 30-Day Rule -- wait 30 days after the first time you decide you want a product to really make your decision. This will eliminate impulse buying.
For ideas on how to reduce junk mail, access:
Reduce Personal and Business Junk Mail
Do-it-yourself: Stop junk mail, email and phone calls
How to Get Rid of Junk Mail, Spam, and Telemarketers
Junkbusters
Opt-Out
Use both sides of each piece of paper -- for note taking or printing documents from your computer (at home or work). Create note pads by stapling together once-used paper.
Purchase rechargeable batteries and a battery recharger (some battery rechargers will also recharge regular alkaline batteries).
Switching to a vegetarian diet is a powerful way to help protect our environment. The United Nations recently released Livestock’s Long Shadow–Environmental Issues and Options, which concludes that the livestock sector (primarily cows, chickens, and pigs) emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to our most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global. It is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases - responsible for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalents. By comparison, all transportation emits 13.5% of the CO2. It produces 65% of human-related nitrous oxide (which has 296 times the global warming potential of CO2) and 37% of all human-induced methane (which is 23 times as warming as CO2). It also generates 64% of the ammonia, which contributes to acid rain and acidification of ecosystems. Buying organic, locally grown food also reduces global warming emissions.
Paint your home a light color if you live in a warm climate and a dark color if you live in a cold climate.
When turning on a water faucet, unless you need warm water choose the coolest water setting.
Each time you turn on a water faucet use the lowest pressure necessary. Keep the water turned on only while it is needed.
Always run full loads of laundry and dishes. Choose the short cycle at low water levels whenever possible.
Learn about the top plants for removing toxics from the air in your home in the article: Using Plants to Clean Indoor Air Pollutants.
Consider switching to online news. If you enjoy reading newspapers and/or magazines offline better, consider reading them at a local library. If they don't carry a newspaper or magazine you like, find out if you can buy a subscription for the library (this is a great way to introduce sustainable/environmental magazines to people in your community).
Offer/ask for gifts that don't involve buying anything. For example, time together, a back rub, babysitting, offer to teach something you know how to do (e.g., making candles), donation to charity, seeds from your garden, tickets to an event (musical, lecture series, play, concert, etc.), gift certificates for spas, music downloads, movie downloads, etc. For more ideas, read 25 Great, Consumer-Less Gift Ideas.
Never release balloons outdoors. They frequently find their way to open water (even from 100's of miles away) and can harm or kill turtles, whales, and other marine mammals.
Finally, an example of the spirit of conservation: Simplify your life as much as possible. Only keep belongings that you use/enjoy on a regular basis. By making the effort to reduce what you own, you will naturally purchase less/create less waste in the future. For information on voluntary simplicity, check outVoluntary Simplicity Web Resources. Learn more through books on voluntary simplicity.
In general, think before you buy any product - do you really need it? How did the production of this product impact the environment and what further impacts will there be with the disposal of the product (and associated packaging materials)? When you are thinking about buying something, try the 30-Day Rule -- wait 30 days after the first time you decide you want a product to really make your decision. This will eliminate impulse buying.
For ideas on how to reduce junk mail, access:
Reduce Personal and Business Junk Mail
Do-it-yourself: Stop junk mail, email and phone calls
How to Get Rid of Junk Mail, Spam, and Telemarketers
Junkbusters
Opt-Out
Use both sides of each piece of paper -- for note taking or printing documents from your computer (at home or work). Create note pads by stapling together once-used paper.
Purchase rechargeable batteries and a battery recharger (some battery rechargers will also recharge regular alkaline batteries).
Switching to a vegetarian diet is a powerful way to help protect our environment. The United Nations recently released Livestock’s Long Shadow–Environmental Issues and Options, which concludes that the livestock sector (primarily cows, chickens, and pigs) emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to our most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global. It is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases - responsible for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalents. By comparison, all transportation emits 13.5% of the CO2. It produces 65% of human-related nitrous oxide (which has 296 times the global warming potential of CO2) and 37% of all human-induced methane (which is 23 times as warming as CO2). It also generates 64% of the ammonia, which contributes to acid rain and acidification of ecosystems. Buying organic, locally grown food also reduces global warming emissions.
Paint your home a light color if you live in a warm climate and a dark color if you live in a cold climate.
When turning on a water faucet, unless you need warm water choose the coolest water setting.
Each time you turn on a water faucet use the lowest pressure necessary. Keep the water turned on only while it is needed.
Always run full loads of laundry and dishes. Choose the short cycle at low water levels whenever possible.
Learn about the top plants for removing toxics from the air in your home in the article: Using Plants to Clean Indoor Air Pollutants.
Consider switching to online news. If you enjoy reading newspapers and/or magazines offline better, consider reading them at a local library. If they don't carry a newspaper or magazine you like, find out if you can buy a subscription for the library (this is a great way to introduce sustainable/environmental magazines to people in your community).
Offer/ask for gifts that don't involve buying anything. For example, time together, a back rub, babysitting, offer to teach something you know how to do (e.g., making candles), donation to charity, seeds from your garden, tickets to an event (musical, lecture series, play, concert, etc.), gift certificates for spas, music downloads, movie downloads, etc. For more ideas, read 25 Great, Consumer-Less Gift Ideas.
Never release balloons outdoors. They frequently find their way to open water (even from 100's of miles away) and can harm or kill turtles, whales, and other marine mammals.
America's entry into
World War II prompted a ban on sliced bread starting in January 1943. The ban was intended to reduce wastage, possibly on the theory that sliced bread goes stale faster than unsliced. Alternatively, the ban may have been to conserve the metal parts needed to repair slicing machines for war use.
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