1. Is Reducing Energy Consumption one of the 7 Best Ways to Reduce your Environmental Impact?
You Bet!
Use energy efficient strategies around your home. Consider installing solar panels, using energy efficient light bulbs, replacing old inefficient appliances, and ensure that your home is properly insulated.
2. Fuel Efficiency
Choose fuel efficient, electric or hybrid vehicles, carpool with others, or better yet, reduce your transportation usage, and ride your bike or walk!
3. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Consider packaging when you purchase items – packaging takes energy to produce and then gets landfilled. Reduce purchases when possible, reuse items (or buy used items – thrifting is fun!) and recycle items as much as possible. Purchase recycled products! A great example is buying recycled toilet paper and printer paper that are made from recycled materials, to protect forests.
4. Consider your Diet!
Not only is reducing meat consumption a healthy choice for your body, it’s also good for the planet! (Farm animals produce a lot of methane.) If a family who normally eats meat daily ate vegetarian one day per week, this is the rough carbon equivalent of that same family reducing their use of a vehicle by one third! Also, minimizing food waste and buying foods locally in season is another great way to help.
5. Consider your Buying Options
Buy sustainably produced, durable items when possible. Investigate companies that you support – do they share your values? If not, contact them and ask them to change their ways!
6. Spread the Word
Stay informed, educate others, and contact elected officials and others about your concerns. Participate in local environmental organizations, and community events.
7. Plant Trees!
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, a mature tree can absorb about 48 pounds of carbon dioxide annually, while releasing oxygen in return—that is the equivalent to absorbing the emissions from burning 4 gallons of gas and that is the best of 7 best ways to reduce your environmental impact!
