Our carbon footprint is how many greenhouse gases you release in your daily activities. Be remembered by your good deeds, not your carbon emissions.
To complete this How-To.
You will need: Deep concern for the future Sense of personal responsibility
You will need: Deep concern for the future Sense of personal responsibility
Step 1: Turn thermostat up/down
Turn your thermostat up in the summer or down in the winter by just two degrees, and you'll prevent hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide from being released each year. Tip: Close doors to rooms that you are not using to maximize heating and air conditioning. Insulate windows and doors to save even more heating costs.
Turn your thermostat up in the summer or down in the winter by just two degrees, and you'll prevent hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide from being released each year. Tip: Close doors to rooms that you are not using to maximize heating and air conditioning. Insulate windows and doors to save even more heating costs.
Step 2: Unplug electronics
Turn off and unplug your computer, TV, and other electronics when you're not using them. Even electronics in sleep mode draw power. Tip: Leaving your TV cable box on 24 hours a day uses about 65% as much energy as a standard refrigerator.
Turn off and unplug your computer, TV, and other electronics when you're not using them. Even electronics in sleep mode draw power. Tip: Leaving your TV cable box on 24 hours a day uses about 65% as much energy as a standard refrigerator.
Step 3: Change bulbs
Change all the incandescent bulbs in your home to compact fluorescent bulbs, which use about 75% less energy.
Change all the incandescent bulbs in your home to compact fluorescent bulbs, which use about 75% less energy.
Step 4: Do full loads of laundry/dishwashing
Do your laundry or run a dishwasher only when you have a full load. It saves water and it's an excuse not to clean.
Do your laundry or run a dishwasher only when you have a full load. It saves water and it's an excuse not to clean.
Step 5: Eat local
Eat local: An organic out-of-season vegetable from the other side of the world may sound delicious, but it had to make that trip on a huge container ship. Tip: Take a canvas tote with you shopping, so you have a ready -- and better -- answer to the question "paper or plastic?"
Eat local: An organic out-of-season vegetable from the other side of the world may sound delicious, but it had to make that trip on a huge container ship. Tip: Take a canvas tote with you shopping, so you have a ready -- and better -- answer to the question "paper or plastic?"
Step 6: Bring own coffee cup/mug
Bring your own cup or mug when you buy coffee and stop tossing an average of 20 pounds of disposable cups a year.
Bring your own cup or mug when you buy coffee and stop tossing an average of 20 pounds of disposable cups a year.
Step 7: Cut back on bottled water
Cut back on bottled water. Most tap water is perfectly safe to drink, and making the plastic and transporting the bottles uses huge quantities of fossil fuels.
Cut back on bottled water. Most tap water is perfectly safe to drink, and making the plastic and transporting the bottles uses huge quantities of fossil fuels.
Step 8: Plant a tree
Plant a tree. Trees help reduce greenhouse gases, and every one counts. Consider it a peace offering to the Earth.
Plant a tree. Trees help reduce greenhouse gases, and every one counts. Consider it a peace offering to the Earth.
Step 9: Consolidate car trips
Don't jump in your car every time you feel the urge to run an errand. Plan and consolidate your trips to cut down on gas.
Don't jump in your car every time you feel the urge to run an errand. Plan and consolidate your trips to cut down on gas.
Step 10: Carpool, public transportation, bike, or walk
When you can, carpool, use public transportation, or ride your bicycle. Or walk, proud to be treading lightly.
When you can, carpool, use public transportation, or ride your bicycle. Or walk, proud to be treading lightly.
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