Ten Tips for Greener Living

Please join me and my family in doing what we can to limit our impact on the environment. The county in which I live and work, Marin County, California, has one of the highest ecological footprints per capita in the entire world.  Indeed, there are things we can do without making drastic changes, to help keep our planet healthy.  

Here are 10 things you can do:

Change a Light

Replacing one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.  How many light bulbs in your house?

Drive Less

Walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation.  Buy a hybrid car if you can.

Recycle More

You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide per year by recycling just 1/2 of your household's waste.  Almost everything can be recycled or donated.

Check Your Tires

Keeping your tires inflated can improve your mileage by 3%.  That's like paying 10 cents less per gallon of gasoline.

Use Less Hot Water

It takes lots of energy to heat water.  Install low-flow showerheads & wash clothes in warm or cold water.  Turn down the heat on your water heater.

Avoid Products with Lots of Packaging

Cuts down your garbage and saves 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

Adjust Your Thermostat

Moving your thermostat down 2 degrees in the Winter and up 2 degrees in Summer saves 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide.

Plant a Tree

A tree will absorb tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

Turn Off Electronics When Not Using Them

Cutting the power to your TV, computer, DVD player, etc., will save you money and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by thousands of pounds per year.

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The above tips and information were derived from www.ClimateCrisis.net.  Spread the word!  If recycling is not enough for you, look into "The Compact"-Google it-to learn about people who have committed themselves to resisting consumerism for designated periods of time.  Happy New Year!