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Photo by: Darryl Leniuk
1. unplug everything
In the average home, 40 percent of electricity used is actually powering electronics that are turned off! This equals the total power generated by 17 power plants each year — we’re polluting the atmosphere for no reason. So unplug the chargers on your iPod, cell phone, portable DVD player, and other electronics when you’re not using them!
2. tote it
Hundreds of thousands of turtles, whales, and other creatures die each year from eating plastic bags floating in the water, which they mistake for food. So from now on, bring groceries home in your own tote bag instead of plastic. That’s a fashion statement!
3. reduce hot water use
Yes, long, hot showers feel great. But it takes a lot of energy to heat water, and that’s not only costly, but air-polluting too. Plus, the average shower uses three to five gallons of water per minute! You can easily use less hot water by buying a low-flow showerhead (starting at two for $7.50 at Home Depot). You’ll prevent 350 pounds of dangerous carbon dioxide from being released per year.
4. brighten up
Compact fluorescent bulbs last 10 times longer and use a quarter of the energy of regular bulbs (try GE’s Energy Star bulbs, three for $8 at WalMart). Switching just one bulb will keep 150 pounds of carbon dioxide from being needlessly emitted, plus it will save you $30!
5. adjust your thermostat
Moving your thermostat just two degrees down in winter and two degrees up in summer could prevent 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the environment per year.
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