10
Things You Can Do to Help Save the Earth
Going green is
easier than you think. There are little things you can do every day to help
reduce greenhouse gases and make a less harmful impact on the environment.
Taking care of the Earth is not just a responsibility -- it's a privilege. In
that spirit, How Stuff Works came up with 10 things you can do to help save the
Earth.
1.
Pay attention to how you use water.
The little things can make a big difference. Every time you turn off the water
while you're brushing your teeth, you're doing something good. Got a leaky toilet?
You might be wasting 200 gallons of water a day.Try drinking tap water instead
of bottled water,
so you aren't wasting all that packaging as well. Wash your clothes in cold
water when you can.
2. Leave
your car at home. If you can stay off the road just two days a week, you'll
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year. Combine
your errands -- hit the post office, grocery store and shoe repair place in one
trip. It will save you gas and time.
3. Walk
or ride your bike to
work, school and anywhere you can. You can reduce greenhouse gases while burning some
calories and improving your health.
4. Recycle.
You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin.
If you're trying to choose between two products, pick the one with the least
packaging.
5. Compost.
Think about how much trash you make in a year. Reducing the amount of solid
waste you produce in a year means taking up less space in landfills,
so your tax dollars can work somewhere else.
6. Change
your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer
than a standard bulband
use at least two-thirds less energy. If you're shopping for new appliances or
even home electronic.
7. Make
your home more energy
efficient (and save money). Clean your air filters so your
system doesn't have to work overtime. Get a programmable thermostat so
you aren't wasting energy when you aren't home..
8. Maintain
your car. Underinflated tires decrease
fuel economy by up to three percent and lead to increased pollution and higher
greenhouse gas emissions.
9. Drive
smarter. Slow down -- driving 60 miles per hour instead of 70 mph on the
highway will save you up 4 miles per gallon.
10.Turn
off lights when you're not in the room and unplug appliances when you're not
using them. It only takes a second to be environmentally conscious.
