Despite
all of our wonderful technological advances, our smog-covered
cities, polluted waterways, devastated forests and chemical dumps
remind us that our material gains have come at a steep price.
Not only is the beauty of our natural environment gradually being
destroyed, but its capacity to sustain life is seriously threatened. We
are a throwaway society: Americans alone throw out 150,000 tons
of packaging each day, or 120 miles of tractor-trailers end-to-end. This
is 195 million tons of garbage every year! And
unfortunately, we are all-too-quick to throw out last year's
or last-month's
style in favor of the latest trendy item. A great way
that we and our children can act thoughtfully is to become
aware
of the many opportunities
we each have everyday to "help our earth."
Remember
the source, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: 1
ton of paper equals 17 trees plus the energy used to process.
Making
recycled paper takes less energy; making aluminum from
used cans takes
only 5% of the energy to make new cans. Looking after the
environment helps everyone. When we "RRR," we save the
earth's precious natural resources. We also cut down on
pollution, thus creating
a safer and healthier place for people to live. Making
new products from recycled materials can lower energy costs.
Slowing
the growth of the garbage pile can also reduce the headache
of finding new places to store our waste!
Here's
What We Can Do
*
At The Market:
-Take
your grocery bags back to the store for reuse, or use a permanent
bag.
-Some
food is sold wrapped in 3 or 4 layers of packaging...try to buy
brands with minimum packaging.
-Try
not to use throw away cameras, flashlights or shaving razors.
-Buy
packaged goods in bulk.
-Buy
used goods (junk yards, thrift stores, garage/yard sales).
-Buy
products in recyclable and/or recycled containers.
-Avoid
plastics and disposable plates, cups and utensils.
-Buy/use
cloth diapers instead of disposable.
*At
Home:
-Try
to stop junk mail or get off as many junk mail lists as possible.
- Recycle
used motor oil.
-Compost
food wastes and yard debris.
-Mend
and repair rather than discard and replace.
-Separate
aluminum, glass, newspaper, cardboard, white paper and colored
paper before recycling.
-Use
rags instead of paper towels.
-Use
a coffee mug instead of disposable cups.
-Use
both sides of paper sheets.
*
Home Energy Use:
-Insulate,
caulk and weather strip your home. Insulate floors with carpeting.
Install double-paned windows.
-Install
a timer on your thermostat.
-Wear
a sweater rather than turn up the thermostat.
-Install
a solar water heater.
-Insulate
you water heater and storage tank.
-Keep
your water heater at 120 degrees.
-Use
energy-efficient appliances.
-Use
fluorescent in place of incandescent light.
-Turn
off lights and appliances when not in use.
-Plant
trees to shade your house in summer.
-Hang
your clothes in the sun to dry.
-Keep
lint screen and outside exhaust on dryer clean.
*
Getting Around:
-Use
public transportation, carpool, bike or walk.
-Drive
a fuel-efficient car.
-Keep
your car well-tuned.
-Live
close to your place of work.
-Call
ahead before you shop and consolidate errands.
*
Trees:
-Plant
trees in your community.
-Plant
fruit & nut trees in your backyard.
-Don't
buy products made from tropical hardwoods.
*
Water Conservation:
-Install
a water-saving showerhead.
-Take
showers rather than baths.
-Install
a space-occupier in your toilet.
-Install
sink faucet aerators.
-Turn
off the water between rinses when shaving and brushing teeth.
-Use
a broom rather than hose to clean walkways.
-Don't
let the hose run when you wash your car.
-Wash
your car with a bucket of soapy water.
-Water
plants and lawn in the morning to minimize evaporation.
-Install
a drip-irrigation water system.
-Plant
drought-tolerant plants.
*
Pesticides/Eating Habits:
-Eat
lower on the food chain.
-Buy
organic foods to discourage pesticide use.
-Grow
your own food using alternatives to pesticides.
-Buy
foods without additives and preservatives.
-Avoid
highly processed foods.
-Support
food co-ops and farmer's markets.
-Buy
foods grown or produced locally.
-Be
creative with leftover food.
*
Hazardous Products:
-Use
biodegradable soaps and detergents.
-Use
alternatives to toxic household products.
-Dispose
of household hazardous wastes properly.
-Use
rechargeable batteries.
-Purchase
appliances with alternatives to ozone-damaging chlorofluorocarbons.
-Think
about purchasing a car without air conditioning to avoid using
CFC's.
-Purchase
a halon-free fire extinguisher.
*
Activism:
-Educate
yourself and others on environmental issues.
-Purchase
from environmentally responsible businesses.
-Know
the voting records of your elected officials; write letters to
your representatives supporting environmental action.
-Get
involved in local politics to influence local environmental policy
decisions.
*source
taken fron different internet sources
