10 Simple ways to Save Our Earth

Keep reading for 10 simple things you can do today to
help reduce your environmental impact, save money,
and live a happier, healthier life. For more advice,
purchase
Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability, a report
from 60 renowned researchers and practitioners on
how to reorient cultures toward sustainability.
1. Save energy to save money.
Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the
winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to
save on heating and cooling costs.
Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when
your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or,
use a
"smart" power strip that senses when
appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire"
energy use.
Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As
much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-
wash clothes goes to heating the water.
Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy
otherwise used during machine drying.
2. Save water to save money.
Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will
lower your water and heating bills too.
Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much,
and the water and energy savings can quickly pay
back your investment.
Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet.
These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and
water, while keeping water pressure high.
Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden.
Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which
occur naturally in your area.
3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).
Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking
costs while improving your cardiovascular health and
reducing your risk of obesity.
Consider telecommuting if you live far from your
work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more
rent, it could save you money in the long term.
Lobby your local government to increase spending on
sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these
improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering
your health and reducing traffic.
4. Eat smart.
If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week.
Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more
expensive when you consider the related
environmental and health costs.
Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs,
and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local
farmers
keeps money in the local economy.
Watch videos about why local food and sustainable
seafood are so great.
Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain [pdf].
This is especially true for seafood.
5. Skip the bottled water.
Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of
buying
bottled water. Not only is bottled water
expensive, but it generates large amounts of container
waste.
Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum
rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at
work.
Check out this short article for the latest on bottled
water trends.
6. Think before you buy.
Go online to find new or gently used secondhand
products. Whether you've just moved or are looking
to redecorate, consider a service like
craigslist or
FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and
other items cheaply or for free.
Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment
shops for clothing and other everyday items.
When making purchases, make sure you know what's
"
Good Stuff" and what isn't.
Watch a video about what happens when you buy
things. Your purchases have a real impact, for better
or worse.
7. Borrow instead of buying.
Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books
and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink
and paper that goes into printing new books.
Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know
your neighbors while cutting down on the number of
things cluttering your closet or garage.
8. Buy smart.
Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save
money and packaging.
Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This
saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might
pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't
have to replace items as frequently (and this means
less waste!).
9. Keep electronics out of the trash.
Keep your cell phones, computers, and other
electronics as long as possible.
Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time
comes.
E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and
is a growing environmental problem.
Recycle your cell phone.
Ask your local government to set up an electronics
recycling and hazardous waste collection event.
10. Make your own cleaning supplies.
The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic
cleaning products whenever you need them. All you
need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda,
vinegar, lemon, and soap.
Making your own cleaning products saves money,
time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air
quality.