1. Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle
Do your part to reduce waste by choosing
reusable products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging
(including the economy size when that makes sense for you) will help to reduce waste.
And whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminum cans. If
there isn't a recycling program at your workplace, school, or in your community, ask
about starting one. By recycling half of your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds
of carbon dioxide annually.
2. Change a Light
Bulb
Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs
with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent
light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb. CFLs also last 10
times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70
percent less heat.
3. Drive Less and Drive
Smart
When you do drive, make sure your car
is running efficiently. For example, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve
your gas mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gas you save not only helps
your budget, it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the
atmosphere.
4. Buy Energy-Efficient
Products
When it's time to buy a new car,
choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of
energy-efficient models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more
natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light
bulbs.
5. Use the "Off"
Switch
Save electricity and reduce global warming by
turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. And
remember to turn off your television, video player, stereo and computer when you're not
using them.
6. Plant a
Tree
If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging.
During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.
They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but
there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by
automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb
approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its
lifetime.
7. Encourage Others to
Conserve
Share information about recycling
and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take
opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are
good for the environment.
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