Easy Ways to be an Everyday Environmentalist

Think climate change is too big of a problem to solve? Think again and Think Green. Small changes everyday makes a huge difference. We can all lower carbon emissions by following these energy saving tips.

RECYCLE & REUSE:

Recycle excess food, fruit peels and coffee grounds etc. in the compost for the garden. Always recycle paper, magazines, newspaper, plastic, aluminum, batteries and toner cartridges. Products made from recycled paper, glass, metal and plastic reduce carbon emissions because they use less energy to manufacture than products made from completely new materials. Recycling paper also saves trees and lets them continue to reduce climate change naturally as they remain in the forest, where they remove carbon from the atmosphere.

BUY ORGANIC PRODUCE MADE WITHIN YOUR COUNTRY                                                           If you shop at a supermarket, the food you buy may have traveled in a plane from the other side of the world, burning fossil fuels the entire trip. Shop at a local farmers markets or organic food store and you will find fresh, organic and healthy food, and help save our climate.

BUY RENEWABLE ENERGY                                                                                                                 Most utilities generate electricity from renewable energy sources with solar panels, windmills and other technologies. If your utility offers renewable energy, buy it. If not, enquire about using clean energy or switch to a provider that does.

USE ORGANIC, BIODEGRADABLE DOMESTIC CLEANING PRODUCTS                                    Use cleaning products that are organic, biodegradable or a natural alternative. It’s better for the environment and better for your health, For example, you don’t want nasty chemical residues of dishwashing liquids or dishwasher powders on your dishes that you eat off everyday. By using Bi-Carb and Vinegar to clean with it’s a lot cheaper. Using organic, biodegradable detergents ensure a more gentle wash on your clothes and reduces chemical waste in our water.

 PLANT NATIVE TREES                                                                                                            According to nature.org Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use it as their energy source, producing oxygen for us to breathe. A tree in the temperate zone found between the tropics and the polar circles can remove and store 700 to 7,000 pounds of carbon over its lifetime. A tree that shades a house can reduce the energy required to run the air conditioner and save an additional 200 to 2,000 pounds of carbon over its lifetime.

 TURN DOWN THE HEAT                                                                                                             Heating and air conditioning draw more than half of the energy that a home uses. Turn down the heat or air conditioning when you leave the house or go to bed. Install a programmable thermostat that can save up money and carbon.

 KEEP YOUR TIRES INFLATED                                                        

Your car get better petrol mileage when the tires are fully inflated because it will burn less petrol and emit less carbon. Check your car monthly to ensure that the tires are fully inflated.

 LIMIT MEAT IN YOUR DIET – IT’S THE GREENER OPTION

According to the FAO newsroom in their 2006 Report from The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization found that the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all the planes, trains and automobiles on the planet.

The methane emissions from cows have 21 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide. But that's not the only problem.

More and more forests are being cleared for pastures to feed all these animals. The Earth’s natural method of storing carbon disappears as the trees disappear

And the problem is getting worse. According to the FAO, annual per capita meat consumption in developing countries has doubled from 31 pounds in 1980 to 62 pounds in 2002. The FAO predicts that meat production will double by 2050.

We can stop this by cutting out red meats and reducing other meats from our diets. Literally Greening your diet is a simple way to make a big difference in your health and the environment.

  USE COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS.                            

These energy-efficient bulbs help fight climate change because they reduce the amount of fossil fuels that utilities burn. You will save 100 pounds of carbon for each incandescent bulb that you replace with a compact fluorescent, over the life of the bulb.

 TELECONFERENCE INSTEAD OF FLYING                                                

For office meetings, if you can telephone or videoconference, you will save time, money, and carbon emissions. Airplanes pump carbon emissions high into the atmosphere.

 NO WASTE PACKAGING                                                                   

            Seek out no-waste packaging. Look for products with recyclable packaging and avoid tetrapak, styrofoam and unnecessary bags.  Don't buy products in clamshell packing unless you absolutely have to.

 USE REUSABLE OR BIODEGRADABLE BAGS                                                                      
            Keep at least 3 reusable bags in the boot. That way, it won't matter if you forget to bring bags out with you . When shopping refuse plastic bags and at home use biodegradable garbage bags.