Have a Smaller Ecological Footprint

Do you want to have a smaller impact on the environment? Or save money on electric bills? There are many ways to reduce your impact on Earth, and some of them are provided here to get you thinking about even more ways that fit with your own lifestyle.

Steps

Saving energy

  1. Turn off the lights and electronics in a room when you aren't using them. Try plugging them into a surge protector and switching it off before you leave for school or work for the day.
  2. Use natural light instead of electric light when possible.
  3. Use your electronics only when necessary.
  4. Lower your thermostat. Wear warmer clothes.
  5. Hang your clothes out on a drying rack rather than using an automatic dryer.
  6. Use solar panels for power.

Food

  1. Buy products that are locally grown. Local products travel a shorter distance to get to your plate, so they will be fresher by the time you eat them. Also, they use less fuel and handling to get from the farm to your plate.
  2. Eat more meatless meals. Meat production uses tremendous amounts of water, so do your part by lessening the demand for meat. Meatless Monday is a national non-profit public health campaign working with the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health that encourages people to give up meat one day a week to lower their risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer.

Shopping

  1. Take your cloth tote bags to the store instead of using paper or plastic bags. These are reusable and often stronger. If you can't use reusable bags, pick paper over plastic and be sure to either reuse or recycle them.
  2. Buy recycled products, from local shops and markets. Help local craftspeople make a living by buying their handmade and locally produced wares.
  3. Do multiple errands with one car outing. This reduces the need to take the car out more frequently. It also means more efficient use of your time, so you have more free time for more exciting things, like spending time with your family or on your hobbies.

Gardening

  1. Mow your lawn only when you have to. Use a push mower if possible.
  2. Water your plants and lawn only when needed.
  3. Start your own garden to grow your own foods.

Reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse

  1. Don't forget to recycle your cardboard, plastic, paper, newspapers, and glass. Check with your local recycling center to see what materials they recycle.
  2. Subscribe to online newspapers and eBooks.

Tips

  • Consider having fewer children, or adopting a child.
  • Just look around your home to find ways to save
  • Have fewer pets. They consume less food.

Warnings

  • Organic products have not been shown to be healthier or safer than conventionally grown food.
  • Organic products may be expensive.

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Sources and Citations

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