If you want to decrease the amount of carbon in the atmosphere that leads to climate change, you should decrease the amount of carbon you use every day. This means less fossil fuel burning. If you want to make a difference, use less fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas).
REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT:
FACING DILEMMAS:
Where I live, there isn't decent public transportation and it’s difficult to cut back on driving. If I want to go practically anywhere, it a 30-minute drive. Next time I buy a car, I will consider a more efficient vehicle. Using less gas will make my commutes a little more energy efficient without sacrificing my lifestyle! You too can assess your life and make a similar change!
HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL GREEN TIPS:
WHEN YOU ARE AT THE HOME APPLIANCE STORE
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Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs.
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Purchase Energy Star appliances.
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Buy a programmable thermostat.
WHEN YOU ARE IN YOUR HOME
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Consider getting a home energy audit. Many power and gas companies will do this very cheaply. For instance, PSNC Energy will do an entire home audit for $25, and they will give you a list of inexpensive changes you can make to save money on your heating and gas bills.
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Turn you house thermostat down to 68 in the winter and up to 78 in the summer.
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Do you recycle? It’s hard to know what is accepted by the recycling facility in your town, and what isn’t. You can google your location and see what can be recycled.
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Go around your house and unplug every appliance you are not using. Hook up all of your television and computer equipment onto power strips, and turn them off when not in use, especially at night.
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Buy items made from recycled products.
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Consider buying green credits. If you live in NC, visit NC Greenpower. For as little as $4 a month (tax deductible), you can offset some of your electricity usage, or carbon footprint, with green energy.
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Replace your outdated toilet with a low-flow toilet.
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Use vinegar and baking soda to clean your house, instead of chemicals.
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Start a compost pile. If you live in Wake County, North Carolina, Compost Now is a great segue into composting. They bring you a bin once a week, and throughout the week you fill it up with compostable waste materials, everything from broccoli scraps to coffee grounds to apple cores. Once a week they come and pick it up. Then they turn your garbage into soil. You have have the option of getting free soil back, if you'd like.
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Wash your laundry in cold water.
WAYS TO SAVE PAPER
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Go to Catalog Choice to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive. I signed up for this years ago, and I barely receive any mail, anymore! You can also register with the Direct Marketing Association (DMA).
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Before you throw anything out, determine if it can be recycled.
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Pay your bills online.
WAYS TO SAVE WATER
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Take shorter showers and turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
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Wash only full loads of laundry or dishes.
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Fill your garden with native plants, which use less water and resources than non-native plants.
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Figure out a way to avoid watering your lawn.
WHEN YOU'RE OUT AND ABOUT
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Walk to the grocery store instead of driving.
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Walk or carpool to restaurants for meals.
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Go for a walk outside instead of driving to the gym.
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Visit the Farmer's Market and buy local produce.
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Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
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Consider the environment when voting.
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On vacation, use public transportation instead of renting a car.
WHEN YOU'RE AT WORK
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Put a plant in your office.
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Pack your lunch in reusable containers.
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Encourage your place of employment to recycle.