Become
"Carbon Neutral" http://www.terrapass.com/buy-carbon-offsetsGo Vegetarian! -
Did you
know that animals raised for meat and dairy products are the source of 34% of
Greenhouse gasses? That's more than all the cars and trucks in the
world put together!Go Solar! - Stop
producing greenhouse gasses Buy
Green! Look for recycled, recyclable, reusable,
biodegradable, sustainable, organic, energy efficient products.
Quick and Easy One Click Activism
Just Click on the Banners Below
Grill corn in its husk ~ Instead of stripping off the green leaves, soak the ear whole, then place it right on the barbecue - no aluminum foil required.
Use Alternative Energy Sources- Bio-diesel (only from discarded restaurant oil), ethanol (only if crops are not specifically grown to create it), wind, solar, passive solar building. You can buy your electricity from "green energy" companies, even if you don't have your own solar or wind power generator.Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or even better non-toxic LED lights ~ CFLs cost a bit more than regular bulbs, but you'll lower your electric bill and pay less in the long run. CFLs last up to ten times longer than traditional ones. (Worried that fluorescents will fill your house with a greenish glow? That's no longer a problem. When we compared a regular bulb with a GE Energy Star Qualified CFL, testers couldn't tell the difference.) You can buy CFLs at most hardware and home stores. Remember to dispose of them as toxic waste. They contain mercury which should not be added to the landfill.
Save on lighting ~ Use timers, indoors and out.
Drive a hybrid or fuel-efficient car, or take public transportation, walk, or ride a bike - Obviously to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.Plant Natives ~ Plant flowers and shrubs that are well suited to your climate (the staff at your local nursery can help). The benefit: use less water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
Adjust fridge and freezer temps ~ Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the household. Maximize efficiency by keeping the fridge at 37°F. and the freezer at 0°F.
Use a laptop ~ It uses considerably less power than a desktop computer, with the added advantage of being portable.
Print on Two Sides ~ Configure your printer so that it prints on both sides of the page. You know those extra pages you get when printing out one simple e-mail? Turn them over and put them back in the printer for reuse.
Support local farms ~ At eatwellguide.org, you can plug in your zip code and find suppliers of organic and sustainably produced vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, eggs, and more. If you buy locally, you won't have to rely on farms that ship food nationwide, which helps to decrease our dependence on oil and cut back on gas emissions.
Tote your own grocery bag ~ (cathkidston.com) or the ACME Workhorse Style 1500 (reusablebags.com), which crunches into a tiny pouch that fits in your purse.
Water-efficient showerheads ~ With low-flow models, a family of four can cut water usage by as much as 280 gallons a month-and yet not feel much difference in water pressure. Two good choices: Kohler's Master Shower Eco (kohler.com) and Niagara Conservation's Earth Massage (niagaraconservation.com).
Recycle rechargeables ~ Cell phones, digital cameras, and camcorders have made these batteries more popular than ever. Wherever you live, you can find a nearby store that will recycle them for you; just go to rbrc.org and type in your zip code. Do not dispose of these items in the land fill. They contain toxins.
Recycle Everything ~ When you want to dispose of an old item, don't make the dump your first stop. Two sites with alternatives: freecycle.org and earth911.org. The Freecycle Network describes itself as "a place to give or receive what you have and don't need or what you need and don't have -[to keep] stuff out of landfills." The http://earth911.org Web site offers community-specific resources, with a focus on recycling. Check out the home page to find out where you can recycle your computer, your cell phone-even used motor oil. http://www.goodwill.org also does and excellent job of recycling everything from old televisions and computers, to rags.
Picnics and Parties ~ At your next outdoor party, ask people to write their names on disposable cups so they'll use only one (to make it easy, put out markers). If you use disposable dinnerware, buy the kind that won't clog landfills or kill trees. To try: EarthShell plates and bowls (www.earthshell.com). They're made from corn, potatoes, and limestone-and cost less than 6 cents per plate.
Paint ~ Most paint emits VOCs (volatile organic compounds), the same kind of chemicals found in gasoline and nail polish. But manufacturers like Sherwin-Williams have developed water-based products that perform well but give off virtually no VOCs. Krylon's H20 paint is the first low-VOC latex spray paint that can be cleaned up with soap and water. Made from 99 percent food-grade ingredients, Anna Sova's Healthy Wall Finish (annasova.com) leaves your rooms smelling vaguely like vanilla. To be at least minimally organic, use a water-based latex paint, not an oil-based alkyd paint-and remember, exterior paints should never be used indoors.
Roofing ~ Replace old shingles with a Classic Metal Roofing System (classicroof.com). It's made from recycled aluminum cans but resembles traditional shakes or tiles. Installing this type of material can qualify you for a $500 tax credit.
Energy-efficient appliances ~ Look for the Energy Star label, awarded to fridges, washers, and other products that exceed government efficiency standards by using less water or electricity. For Energy Star appliances that have been tested by GHI, visit goodhousekeeping.com.
Eco-chic clothing ~ Lara Miller's Melissa tunic is 100 percent bamboo, yet it's as soft as silk. (For stores, go to laramiller.net.) Linda Loudermilk, an eco-couture designer, uses fabric made from sasawashi (a Japanese leaf), along with bamboo, soya, and other exotic self-sustaining plants (lindaloudermilk.com).
Organic Undies ~ Wearing 100 percent organic-cotton panties reduces your exposure to chemical pesticides in a sensitive area. Try Blue Canoe brand (goodhumans.com).
Natural Make up ~ Aveda's All-Sensitive Body Formula moisturizing body oil uses organic jojoba. What's more, most of Aveda's packaging is made from recycled material. A makeup line that's entirely organic: Nvey Eco (econveybeauty.com). And bareescentuals.com offers pure mineral powder make up.
Patagonia's PCR fleece vest ~ ($70) is made from recycled soda bottles patagonia.com.
Organic Cleaning Supplies ~ Pangea Organics soaps, which are made with organic and often Fair Trade Certified ingredients, are scented with oils like lavender and lemongrass. They come in a biodegradable carton that will start disintegrating within 48 hours if you plant it in your garden. Available at Whole Foods Markets. pangeaorganics.com
Composting ~ Instead of trashing food scraps, toss them into Gardener's Supply Company Kitchen Compost Crock, a ceramic countertop composter that's perfect for first-timers (gardeners.com).
Bamboo Products ~ This plant is a far more sustainable natural resource than wood because it grows very quickly. Try the stylish bamboo bowls and cutting boards from TimberGrass (lamsonsharp.com).
Get
off junk mail lists ~
Register with the Direct Marketing
Association's Mail Preference Service (dmaconsumers.org)
and you'll see a significant reduction in mail after three months.
Conscious Investing
~ Environmentally conscious mutual funds are increasingly
available through 401(k) plans, especially if employees express
interest. To learn more, log on to socialinvest.org;
then talk to your benefits administrator.
Organic Baby Clothes ~ Hanna Andersson makes her children's clothing from 100 percent organic cotton (hannaandersson.com). Every fabric, button, thread, and zipper is tested for over 100 potentially harmful substances.
Solar energy ~ Get a taste of the technology by using solar-powered lighting in your yard or on your patio, like Malibu's Solar Floodlight (intermatic.com).
Driving Efficiently ~ 2006 saw climate change take center stage as one of the biggest potential challenges facing the modern world. Automobiles are one of the biggest contributors. bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/
Driving More Efficiently - Keeping Your Car In Shape
Planning And Combining Trips - Choosing A More Efficient Vehicle
Read the Labels - Know what they mean:
USDA Organic ~ Seen on: Food products - Food is produced without antibiotics, genetic engineering, or most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Be AWARE - the USDA is allowing more and more non-organic products under the "organic" label. Check to find out if all ingredients are really organically grown!
Rainforest Alliance Certified ~ Seen on: Coffee, chocolate, bananas - What it means: Companies harvesting the food practice soil and water conservation; they also reduce the use of pesticides.
Green Seal ~ Seen on: Napkins, toilet paper, paper towels - What it means: they must meet recycling and bleaching standards.
Fair Trade Certified ~ Seen on: Coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit, rice, sugar - What it means: Food is grown on small farms; farmers receive a fair price.
Certified Humane ~ Seen on: Eggs, meat - What it means: Animals raised for dairy, meat, and poultry products are treated humanely. Growth hormones are prohibited, and animals are raised on a diet without antibiotics.