| Making an effort to reduce the carbon footprint | | | | incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs. |
| of your home would make a difference in | | | | Compact bulbs use 75 percent less energy than |
| preserving the environment. In today's economic | | | | normal bulbs and lasts longer too. |
| downturn, you can reduce your power | | | | 5. Use native plants to landscape your home. |
| consumption and help lessen emissions. Your own | | | | These plants will grow better in a familiar |
| little ways could safeguard our nature and | | | | environment and may travel a shorter distance |
| preserve it for the next generations. You can find | | | | since you can buy them in your local nursery. Use |
| some simple tips to help reduce your home's | | | | organic soil since it is made using eco-friendly |
| carbon footprint in this article. | | | | methods and uses fewer resources. Green plants |
| Not everybody can afford a new hybrid car or | | | | offset carbon, so plant something, anything to |
| solar panels. However, there are constructive, | | | | help the environment. |
| simple ways in reducing the carbon footprint | | | | 6. Before you shop, try window-shopping first. |
| without the excessive cost. Your everyday | | | | This helps you to buy things that you really need |
| choices and actions could make a big difference. | | | | or want and avoid impulse buying. Remember, |
| 1. Buy organic or local food. There is a bigger | | | | every item in a store has a footprint, if |
| chance that the food was grown in an | | | | consumers are environmentally conscious, this |
| eco-friendly method, and since it is locally grown, it | | | | helps reduce carbon footprint on the nation as a |
| did not travel very far. Practice dining at | | | | whole. |
| restaurants serving seasonal or locally produced | | | | 7. When away from home, switch water heaters |
| foods. | | | | to vacation mode. Most heaters have a vacation |
| 2. In shopping, find a store or a cooperative that | | | | setting when you are away for an extended time. |
| keeps packaging to a minimum. It is preferable to | | | | Although the away mode still keeps the water |
| buy loose tomatoes rather than those wrapped in | | | | warm, it will not use much energy to keep a full |
| plastic or boxed. Take along a reusable bag to the | | | | tank of piping-hot water. |
| grocery with you. Resource-wise, plastic is better | | | | 8. Unplug all appliances that you do not frequently |
| than paper, but a reusable cloth tote bag is better | | | | use. Most electronics have a standby mode that |
| still. | | | | draws off energy when unused. Laptops, |
| 3. Bottled water creates a huge carbon footprint. | | | | chargers, stereos, televisions, and a lot more, |
| Try using a reusable canteen or water bottle for | | | | should be unplugged when not in use. Try a |
| your water. Many restaurants are making the | | | | power strip for groups of electronic items. |
| move to using in-house filtration systems that | | | | 9. Use cold water in your washer. Try using it in |
| makes tap water a preferable choice. Remember | | | | your laundering things that do not require it to be |
| that while most water bottles are recycled, many | | | | cleaned in warm or hot water. Heating water |
| are not, thus creating a bigger footprint in the | | | | takes up a lot of energy. |
| environment. | | | | 10. Practice the three R's: Reuse, Reduce and |
| 4. Try to energy-proof your home. No need for | | | | Recycle. Sometimes we lose sight on how much |
| major upgrades, you can do simpler things such | | | | we buy. Practice buying less and fixing or reusing |
| as closing your windows properly and make sure | | | | things if possible, instead of buying a new one. |
| that the attic is insulated properly. This saves | | | | Recycling is easy when you set your mind to it. |
| your bucks on your utility bill. Keep your cooling | | | | Start the day right! Try applying these helpful tips |
| and heating systems properly maintained and if | | | | not only to help save the environment but also to |
| possible, switch to reusable filters. Replace | | | | cut your monthly bills as well. |