One of my goals for this new year is to be more environmentally friendly. In the past, I know that there is so much more that I could have done and wanted to do for the environment. It is a known fact that humans are harming the Earth with pollution, waste, etc. This year, if everyone started doing small things to help the environment, they will add up over time. We can make the harm we are creating less impactful. Small acts can make a big difference.

1. Recycle!

2. Don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth.

Saving 2 to 3 minutes without the sink on can save 2 to 3 gallons of water each day!

3. Turn your refrigerator down.

Refrigerators account for about 20% of Household electricity use.

4. Use a reusable water bottle to use less plastic.

5. Plant your own tree.

This is both good for the environment and supplies your home with shade which cuts down your air conditioner usage to save energy.

6. Remember to turn off the lights when you leave the room to conserve energy.

7. Donate unwanted items to limit waste production.

8. Use e-tickets to conserve paper.

9. Have a vegetarian day.

Going vegetarian for a day out of the week conserves water! Did you know that It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef?

10. Use energy efficient light bulbs.

If every American household replaced one of its standard light bulbs with an energy efficient compact fluorescent bulb, we would save the same amount of energy as a large nuclear power plant produces in one year.

11. Avoid using plastic bags.

Plastic bags are not biodegradable. When going to their correct destination after use, a landfill, they may take 1,000 years or more to break down into ever smaller particles that pollute the soil and water.

12. Take showers over baths and conserve water.

13. Use a professional car wash.

Using a professional car wash is actually eco-friendlier than washing your car yourself because they use the exact amount of water needed to wash a car.

14. Buy locally grown food and locally made products to limit pollution from transportation

15. Recycle your Christmas tree.

16. Don’t waste napkins!

Only take the amount of napkins you know you’re going to use and don’t throw away clean ones! If everyone in the USA used one less napkin a day, current figures show that it could save a billion pounds of space in landfills.

17. Write to your local legislators about issues in your community or state and get your voice heard.

Get informed!

Sources:

http://www.glencanyon.org/glen_canyon/water-conservation

http://www.50waystohelp.com/

http://powerscorecard.org/reduce_energy.cfm

http://environment.about.com/od/reducingwaste/a/no_plastic_bags.htm