It’s no longer debatable that climate change and carbon pollution is having a bad affect on our planet. While most people can’t stop an iceberg from melting, individuals can take steps to contribute to a cleaner planet.
- Unplug. Power off your devices and chargers. A charger plugged in, even without a phone attached, uses electricity. Put your computer into sleep mode overnight. You’ll not only save on electricity, you’ll extend the life of your device.
- Buy a water filter or pitcher. Fill a reusable water bottle from your filter rather than buying all those plastic water bottles that go directly into a landfill. You are adding to your carbon footprint with the shipping required to truck it to your local store.
- Switch out your light bulbs. Use compact fluorescent, halogen or LEDs, all of which use much less electricity and have a longer lifespan. Less bulbs will be on that truck, shipping to your local store, adding to the carbon footprint.
- Whether you read in print or online, think about how you read the news. Print newspapers cause roughly their weight in carbon emissions. Online reading uses electricity. Try reading on a device that doesn’t use electricity, like a tablet or e-reader.
- Buy local. Farmers markets are just about everywhere. Buying direct from the farmer is healthier, fresher and tastier and wasn’t shipped across the country—or the world.
- Invest in curtains or energy-saving blinds. Keep them open in the winter to let in the sun, close them at night to keep in the heat. In summer, close them during the day to block the hot sun and cut down on your air conditioning use.
- Use energy-efficient appliances. A microwave saves not only time, but energy. If you must use the traditional, us the upper shelf since heat rises.
Incorporating these seven tips will not only help your pocket, but the planet. Think of ways to save during the holidays when you may use more electricity. The tree lights are on, the stove is baking more goodies and the games are plugged in longer.
Let’s all pitch in to save our planet.