think green

image from www.foresthilluc.org/

it’s no secret – our planet is slowly deteriorating. although environmental degradation can also be caused by natural events, man’s activities are creating a much bigger damage.

but we can do something to help. every little bit helps. today would be the best day to start. after all, its earth’s day.

first, some tips from earth day network

http://www.earthday.net/resources/2006materials/Top10.aspx

1. change your light bulbs to compact flourescent light bulbs “that last for years, use a third of the energy of regular light bulbs, and actually produce more light”

2. tame the refrigerator monster. the fridge is the biggest energy consumer in most households. older refrigerators as a rule uses more energy than newer ones. but if you cant buy a new one (yet), there are still somethings you can do.

Don’t set the thermostat too high. Lowering the temperature even 1 degree will make a big difference.

If your refrigerator is near a heating vent, or always in the sun, then change the location, cover up the heating vent near it or cover the window.

Clean the condenser coil. This one, very simple thing can improve the efficiency of your refrigerator reducing your annual energy costs by $20.

Make sure the doors seal properly, and keep the cool in

3. buy recycled and recylables. of course, it should stop there. RECYCLE!

4. be a minimalist. use and buy less. here are some specific ways to do this.

Buy in bulk. In short, bulk items use less packaging, which translates into less energy.

Buy one of something, not 21 of something. You don’t need 21 pairs of shoes, if one pair works just as well.

Go through your closet. Donate or recycle what you really don’t need, then make a pledge not to replace everything you just got rid of.

Buy quality products that will last longer. Over time, you’ll obviously buy fewer products that way.

Be creative in what you use for work, play and leisure. You don’t always have to buy new products for activities. Re-use in creative ways.

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more tips from kaboose

http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/earth-day-guide.html

1. reduce electricity. dont just turn it off. unplug the appliance.

2. take small steps.

• Shut off the water when they brush their teeth
• Walk, ride a bike or take the bus instead of traveling by car
• Take faster showers or baths in just a small amount of water
• Help hang clothes on the line instead of putting them in the dryer
• Choose products that are not over packaged

3. Compost. turn your food scraps and garden waste and turn it into healthy compost for your own yard.

4. Reusing is when you find a use for an existing item – like decorating a bag and using it as a gift bag instead of buying wrapping paper; putting leftovers into a clean container from some other food; turning a used box into storage; decorating a can to hold pencils; saving packing peanuts and boxes and using them the next time you need to ship something or give a gift.

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need more tips? click here for the environmental video series of earthdaynetwork.

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lets make every day earth day!