What can I do to help the enviroment further?

Question

Here is what I do already:
I recycle all newpapers, papers, plastic and cardboard;
I don't use more water then I need;
I turn off appliances and lights when not in use;
and I walk everywhere or take public transportation.

What are your tips?
Are there any websites or books you can recommend?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I realize some of these thinbgs we may not be able to or might not want to do but it can't hurt to have more!

Also if u want any more information or clarification please email me!

I might have repeated some of the things that you do...but...

1) Plant a lot of trees

2) use your foods like cooking oil, corn, soybean, municipal waste, switchgrass for fuel for either yourself you seel/donate it to those who will use it.

3)change your light bulbs to more efficient ones like LEDs or Fluorescent lightbulbs

4) Try to get your area to light up public areas with LEDs

5) live in smaller houses not larger

6) Use a clothesline to dry things

7)recycle your clothing to patagonia (patagonia.com/recycle)

8)Use a geothermal heating system

9) create a green roof,aka cover your roof with plants

10 plant more trees

11) if you are an employer, let your employees work close to their home.

12) ride the bus or carpool

13) live in the city

14) pay bills online, minimize shipping

15) open your windows instead of using the AC

16) ask an expert for an energy audit of your home to find out where in your home you are using energy and what you can do to help reduce it

17) invest in green companies and green technology

18) ask your energy company to use renewable energy for your house, and if they don't provide find one that does at eere.energy.gov/greenpower

19) wrap your water heater with an insulated blanket

20) becoming vegetarian or eating less meat (international meat industry generates about 18% of green house gases emissions)

21) use paper not plastic, or even better continuesaly reuse or paper bags or get a reusable cloth bag

22) support politicians that want to copy California when it comes to fighting global warming

23) buy from your local farmer, (less transportation) go to localharvest.org to find a local farmer

24) plant a bamboo fence

25)when you do have to fly (minimize flying) try to fly on planes that have more direct routes

26)plant more trees

27) invest in those sci-fi methods of stopping global warming like putting giant mirrors into space or injecting sulfur into out stratosphere

28)rake your leaves not leaf blow them

29) buy more recycled paper

30) try using lighter packaging, and if possible more bio-degradable or recyclable materials.

31) check your tires and keep them properly inflated

32) get a fuel efficient car

33) support green developments

34) plant more trees

35) if you have to burn coal try using a co-generating coal plant

36) try getting wind mills for your house or bussiness

37) try using solar power for your house

38) use a solar water heating system

39) install fixtures in the cieling that magnify the light from the sun into your house to provide light instead of using electricity for light.

40) Use TX Active Cement, this cement literally eats Co2 and even stays cleaner than normal cement

41) consume less and share more live simply

Almost forgot.. Plant more trees!



When i say plant trees u have to be careful, because in some areas trees actually create more CO2 than they take in, supposedly if you plant trees in the tropics you should be alright.



For reading read Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth and every now and then Time magazine has articles

I am sure if u do a Y! search u can find even more advice

please email me if u want to know even more or if u want clarification on some of the things i said.

Answer 2

Composting is a great way to reduce landfill bulk, and yes, you can even if you're in a city or apartment. The cheapest, least smelly way is just to make a compost bin out of a big rubbermaid container. I don't water mine, it takes longer to make compost but that's ok. Even if you don't garden, any gardener you know will probably be happy to use the compost. "If it came from the garden, it goes back to the garden." Also hair clippings are ok, just don't put meat in there or you will develop a bug problem, and you want to avoid grass clippings as they can have herbicides in them that stay in the compost.



You can get more nitpicky, unplug older appliances if they're not in use to avoid that power drain.



I assume you've already got CFL light bulbs & use rechargeable batteries. Crank (or shake) LED flashlights are awesome, not just for environmental reasons but because they are always ready in case of emergency.



Most stores are just fine with mesh bags for your purchases, even in the unenlightened areas like where I live. Nice side effect is no more broken plastic bags full of canned goods in your trunk. :) Sturdy handles...aaahh....which speaking of shopping, anytime you can go sustainable, recycled, or local, do it.



It sounds like your area has an awesome recycling program, but mine only takes "milk & soda bottles" for plastic. So i've had to become very creative about reusing other plastic packaging - not just paint trays & whatnot, I've made a mail holder, soap mold,mini-greenhouses, etcetera from clear plastic "shell" packages. Some of them good for the odds & ends that always collect.



Keep searching around, there are lots of good sources for tips, some of them might work for you others might not. Kudos for everything you're already doing!

Answer 3

My tips:



- Avoid buying things for the sake of it. That is, reduce your consumption of goods. By avoiding buying stuff that you don't really NEED you avoid all impacts associated with manufacture, delivery and disposal.



- Install water-saving appliances and a reduce-flow showerhead.

- Make sure you turn off appliances AT THE POWER POINT when not in use. Even when 'off' appliances use loads of electricity.

- Make the switch to green power

- Use less hot water (when washing clothes etc)

- Use less chemicals (e.g. for household cleaning) - these chemicals just end up in stormwater...and then bay.

- Educate others about how they can help (you are doing a great job).

- Offset emissions that you can't avoid (company's plant trees or invest in renewable energy projects/research)

- At work there are lots of things you can do (e.g. print double sided, turn off computer when not in use) etc.







Hope I've helped. Good on you for living more sustainably!

Answer 4

You've gotten a really good start on helping reduce your impact on the environment.



Here's something things I did not see mentioned before:



Be aware of the toxicity of the things in your home. Countertops, flooring, mattresses, heaters, insulation and paint all give off toxic fumes slowly while they are in your home.



When it is time to repaint, look for organic paint instead of latex and petroleum based paints.



Time to replace the carpet - opt for a natural fiber carpet instead of acrylic fiber carpet. A well made wool or cotton berber carpet will wear very well, also find out if there is a natural fiber based carpet padding. Perhaps a bamboo flooring(sustainable growth) with natural fiber throw rugs instead of carpet?



Countertops - most countertops have plastic and/or polyurethane in them. These will give off toxins for years. Look for a countertop that is mostly natural stone.



Mattresses - Temperpedic(tm) is foam rubber, which translates to petroleum product. Sleep Number(tm) is air filled plastic pockets. Water beds are plastic. Try to find a comfortable cotton fiber mattress and augment it with a featherbed if you want additional softness.



Insulation - Most insulation is fiberglass - bad to breathe and it never decomposes. If you own your home, consider using rammed earth, water walls and other insulation materials. You are probably looking at a major remodel to really incorporate these kinds of insulation, but an add on can be designed with special insulation from the beginning.



Heaters - look for heaters that use low levels of watts to operate. Oil filled heaters provide a pretty good heat and can be set for various levels. Better yet, use sweaters, socks, lap quilts and excercise to keep warm. When you sleep, put on a nightcap or put a pillow up against your head to keep from losing heat. Most of the heat lost from the body is from the feet and the head. Keep both well covered and you'll get warmer faster and stay warmer longer.



Choosing things for your home that are less toxic will keep you and the planet healthier. Many people live with mysterious pains and illness due to the toxic levels of emmissions from their home furnishings. Plus, when we do throw things away, there are fewer toxic and plastic things to fill up the landfills.

Answer 5

Go Solar! Lots of people think that you need a total home energy system that costs thousands of dollar to start using solar heating and solar electricity. However, you can begin to go solar with smaller scale systems - consider a solar water heater for household or swimming pool use. The energy savings will pay for the system quickly, plus the US government gives you tax credits!



You can also purchase affordable solar battery charges for almost any gadget you can think of - laptops, cellphones, IPODS, etc.



And though many solar systems seem expensive, the cost is dropping as products become more available. Go Solar!



Share your experiences:

www.FreeSolarCharge.com

Answer 6

make sure you buy energy efficient light bulbs, purchase a fuel efficient car and also fuel efficient appliances. and if youre really ambitious i would suggest you check into solar power. there are many resources you can use even on the internet such as yahoo to search for what you yourself can do to help limit the effects of pollution and economic development on the earth. good luck.

Answer 7

Here's another tip that will make a HUGE impact on the energy efficiency of your home:



Plant annual trees (trees that lose their leaves in winter) SOUTH of your house. This will give you shade when you most need it and reduce your AC consumption.



Plant perennial trees (pines, etc.) NORTH of your house. This will stop the freezing arctic wind from getting to your house directly, thus reducing your winter's energy consumption as well.

Answer 8

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The best we can do as individuals is be more responsible ,in our own neck of the woods



Organise well publicized clean up parties ,talk on the radio

Have citizan meetings

Get the shools involved to plant trees and listen to environmental awareness talks,



If you do any cleaning up leave signs behind saying who cleaned,why and ask people not to start dumping rubbish again ,leave a hole or bins ,in case people come with trash ,



We have done a lot of comunity cleaning and if you dont leave alternatives or try to work on peoples guilt feelings (some people actually have those ,but not many)

than your efforts are a waste of time.



That is what we do in Mexico



POSITIVE ACTIONS

Print Tshirts with slogans ,hang posters all over the place (with recycled paper if possible)



Classify trash take out all the organic waste and make compost with it ,the worst you can do is throw it with the trash



70% of contamination is due to organic waste that is mixed in with the garbage .

And it is just as bad in the sewer where it helps to breed rats and in the landfill it poisons the ground



And it is the easiest to take care of

o first of all we have to clasify trash at least keep the organic to one side ,like in a plasic bin with a lid



If you got a few meters of ground ,you only need 1 or 2 square meters in a shallow hole ,in the shade ,that you can wet now and again ,where you dump everything that is organic ,from toilet paper,bones vegetable cuttings ,eggshells,,dead bodies ,excrement ,and cover regularly with leaves to keep humid and to hide any smell

the worms will come and decompose the wastes truning it into beautifull blck soil for the garden of flower pots .



If you are in a apartment ,if you have a balcony get a big plastic bin drill some holes in the side and lid ,



Add a few buckets of sand now and again to put over the trash ,you should realt stir or move the stuff at times to airate it and ensure that the decomposition is overall ,keep moist



This rubbish does not get big very fast and the thing works for a long time with out getting full

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global warming cannot be stopped but we can stop helping it becoming faster,and being friendlier to out Environment cannot be bad



these are Al gores sites

http://events.stepitup2007.org/............

http://www.stepitup2007.org/



http://events.stepitup2007.org/............





If you want to help the planet ,plant a tree every week ,if everyone on the planet did we we would be able to slowdown the destructive processes



Reduce carbon emisions,and they are already working on that by alternative forms of energy and regulations on carbon producing materials,aerosol cans,burning rubbish,industrial chimneys,powerplants etc.



The capture of carbon and the production of water and assist the aquiferous manta.



The world bank pays large subsidies for reforrestation to capture carbon and the best tree for this is the Pawlonia



Waterharvesting projects ,such as millions of small dams.to redirect over ground waterflows from the rains into the ground to supply subteranian water supplies.



The protection of existing forrests.



Stop building more highways,urban planning to include vegetation stop building cities encourage people to return to the land to conduct their business from there which now has become possible thanks to the internet.



Education to motivate people to auto sufficiency by building more home food gardens.



Education on environmental awareness

education on family planning to curb over´population



Agricultural education and improvements to follow the principals or sustainability and soil management.



More environmental or land ,design to prevent bush fires,such as--fire breaks



More dams.regulations and control for public behaviour



Alternative effeciant public transport to discourage the use of the internal conbustion engine



Recicling wastes,limit water use



Here are a 100 more ways



http://www.eco-gaia.net/forum-pt/index.p...

Answer 9

you are in the right path pass the word to you friend neighbors family show them how you can change and further the environment by preserving and recycling check out thee movie

11th hour so you can get a better picture

Answer 10

Uhm on top of what others say, wash laundry in cold water and hang to dry, compost, plant some trees, get your local city government involved.



Most importantly, vote.

Answer 11

Educate.

Answer 12

reduce your footprint from consumption:

buy products with as much recycled content as possible

buy "green" products (CFLs, low toxicity cleaners)

buy locally grown products that will decrease impacts from transportation and support your local farm

Reduce, reuse, recycle whenever possible.

compost organic waste instead of putting it in your trash

plant some trees

volunteer at your local env. organization (and they can also probably help you reduce your impacts)

Answer 13

i have no tips 4 u because u already done every thing i can think of... btw, its so nyc of u to do this 4 the enviroment... keep up the good work... =)

Answer 14

Help by signing this petition to stop the government from oulawing wind energy http://www.petitiononline.com/rme4319/

Answer 15

here is something you can do that makes a huge impact on global warming

Over 80% of the dry tropical forests from northern Costa Rica to Mexico have been cut down. Areas of this size and larger have been cut down throughout the world including the Amazon, Indonesia, the Congo and other rain forests. The temperature after removing the rain forest has risen dramatically in these large tracts of land. The weather pattern also changes from this deforestation in each locality and they become drier. When these huge

areas have their trees removed, erosion dumps millions of tons of sediment into the rivers that flow into the oceans. This sediment slowly suffocates the polyps of the precious coral reefs in the tropics. What is the main reason for cutting these rain forests down? The main reason is to make room to raise cattle, not logging as many people think. With logging they generally cut down large hardwoods. To raise cow meat they cut down everything. In Central America

much of the beef is exported to the United States. The cattle industry, over all, causes more global warming than car emissions do. What can the average person do? eat soy, legumes and nuts as a protein source. This is a better way to practice sustainability. If the beef is grown in the United States sorry that isn't sustainable either. A person who eats cow meat (beef) as their main protein source requires about 20 acres of land each year and over 2000 gallons of precious water to raise that steer for protein. That is not sustainability. A person eating soy for their main source of protein only requires one acre of land and about 40 gallons of water each year to grow it. Also, soy doesn't add millions of tons of methane gas each year to our atmosphere. it actually absorbs co2. cows do produce over 100 million tons of this global warming methane gas in the U.S. alone. Cattle excrement also is adding to major pollution problems in our water systems today. Stop eating beef! Or if you absolutely can't stop eating beef, cut back to once a week or once a month. if you must eat a meat chicken is much less destructive to the environment than beef, here in the tropics. Besides, refraining from eating beef is healthier in the long run.

Here is another important environmental disaster, 90% percent of the shrimp served in the U.S. and in other countries comes from the tropics. It is harvested in non-sustainable ways. I have witnessed in one month over 190 sea turtles wash up on shore with their fins cut off, dead from drowning by shrimpers in the osa penninsula. Along with that, for every pound of shrimp harvested, about ten pounds of other creatures are killed and thrown overboard. Yes, much shrimp is farmed. The farms are generally constructed where mangrove swamps, another very important and fragile ecosystem, have been cut down for this purpose and ponds are made to raise the shrimp. After the shrimp are harvested from these ponds the water in them is released into the mangroves. Unfortunately the nitrate level is so high that many of the mangrove fish and other underwater creatures die. So eating shrimp is not sustainable either for our planet. If you want to take responsibility in helping save our planet from global warming, deforestation of the rain forests, dying coral reefs there are many other eating alternatives. please, eat to live, don't live to eat.

For our children's sake and the sake of the rain forests, coral reefs and the entire planet we need to step up and do something other than practice over indulgence. Cavemen had to hunt to get their protein and that was ok. Then we started raising animals to get our protein and that was needed. Now we know how to get all of the protein we need from plants. So it is time to evolve another step and stop the senseless cruelty to raising animals for food and also help control global warming and its effects at the same time.

henry

jungle guide and conservationist .

Answer 16

good doings but maybe plant plants in your garden and also try try http//www.stopglobalwarming.org hope that helped thats org not or