Tag Archives: Earth

Earth Day 2013

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A Few Simple Tips for Earth Day…And Everyday!

 

celebrate-earth-daySwitch to non-toxic household cleaners

Indoor air is two to five times as polluted as the outdoors (per the EPA). Chemicals in household cleaners contribute to this and have been linked to asthma, allergies, cancer, and other health problems. Non-toxic alternatives are found at natural food stores and, increasingly, at regular supermarkets. Read the labels and be sure you understand the ingredients. Prices are now about the same or a little higher than conventional brands.

Use less gas and save money when driving

  • Use the air conditioner in your car as little as possible, because it uses a lot of gas. Roll down the windows and get some fresh air!
  • Using cruise control can save gas. If you drive on the open road often, staying at a constant speed will save fuel.
  • Try to drive while traffic is light. Plan to stop for meals at times when traffic is heavy.

Use and dispose of your electronics wisely

Donate rather than throw away a working computer and upgrade when possible rather than buying a new computer. Buy from companies that take life-cycle and environmental impacts into account when designing. Discard old, non-working electronic goods responsibly–take them back to the store or to a collective waste collection point like the Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling event of the Department of Public Works, Office of Recycling (dpw.dc.gov).

Living for today AND for tomorrow

Use your consumer buying power: Choose eco-designed products that consume less energy and support companies with acceptable environmental policies. Choose sturdy, quality products that can be repaired rather than replaced. Choose materials and products that are made locally or regionally. Always ask yourself if you need to purchase the item, bearing in mind that the urge to spend encourages companies to develop increasingly competitive means of production that take more out of the Earth’s natural resources.

Feed the world without starving the Earth

Use your consumer purchasing power to support small/local farmers that has traveled short distances and consider the environmental (and human health) impacts of meat consumption:  55-77 pounds of cereals and 26,400 gallons of water are needed to produce 1 kg of red meat. Buy produce in season, and when possible, buy organic products devoid of chemicals harmful to the environment and to you. When making purchases, choose products with minimal packaging.

Join a discussion group

Talking with our neighbors, friends or coworkers can have a tremendous impact on our desire and ability to take action. Support, accountability and enhanced community are all benefits of being in a discussion circle. Discussion guides on global warming, sustainability, raising healthy children, simple living and more are available. Borrowing copies of these publications make the discussion group low- or no-cost.

Encourage our youth

Children and youth have special opportunities to learn about their planet, and be the makers of tomorrow’s future. Refer them to UNEP’s online “Tunza” magazine, where ideas, initiatives and campaigns are shared with friends, teachers and family across the globe  Sponsor youth activities with an environmental theme in your community and in schools.

It’s Not Easy Being Green…Or Is It?

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Going Green

10 Ways We Can Help Make a Difference

Today is Earth Day, so it would seem to be a good time to think about what we can do in our day to day lives to help make a difference in the world around us. In January we make our New Year’s resolutions and look for ways to make a change in our lives, hoping for better health, a better job or less stress. Some resolutions are small, others are big life-changing challenges.

New Year’s resolutions are often broken, especially if they are hastily made without thinking through the logistics. Perhaps today would be a good day to make some resolutions for “going green” in the upcoming months. Earth Day is a great time to remember and appreciate nature, as well as learn ways to protect and care for our environment. Everyone can find a few small ways to help do their part.

Going green is a great way to start off the new year, but it’s such a broad term that the specifics of how you’ll go green could end up taking a back seat to daily life. Instead of making a broad generalization, choose a few specific ways to green your life in 2012.

Not Sure Where To Start? Here Are 10 Suggestions to Help You Get Started…

1. Banish paper and plastic bags from your life. Always carry at least one reusable bag with you and it will soon be as routine as grabbing your keys when you head out.2. Switch your monthly bills to e-billing. Even if you print them out at home, you’ll eliminate the postage carbon footprint and reduce paper use (no envelopes and annoying “special offer” inserts).3. Before you throw anything away, ask yourself if you can use it in a new way or if someone else could use it.

4. If you’re replacing appliances in 2012, pay a little more for the most efficient Energy Star models — they’ll save you money in the long run.

5. Walk more, particularly if your destination is less than 30 minutes on foot. It’s good for your health and the environment.

6. Take public transit. Students often have a transit pass included in their fees, and some cities even have free public transit, so use it!

7. In the market for a new car? Choose a green hybrid or electric.

8. Go vegetarian one day a week. The livestock industry is a huge greenhouse gas emitter.

9. Refuse to buy foods that are unnecessarily packaged, such as fruits and vegetables.

10. Buy a water filtration pitcher and refill your own bottles instead of buying bottled water.

These are just a few of the ways you can commit to going green in the new year. Just remember: It can be a challenge as you adjust to a new way of thinking, but it’s worth sticking with it.

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