Don't set your fridge and freezer temperatures lower than necessary. The United States Department of Energy recommends around 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit for the fresh food compartment and 0 degrees for freezers.
And unplug that old fridge in the garage when you don't need it to chill anything. Choose renewables. If you live in a state where you can choose your energy supplier, pick one that runs on renewables. Replace old fridges. This certification means a product has met energy efficiency standards for the United States. How to Recycle Americans generate about roughly million tons of trash a year , million tons of which ends up in landfills and incinerators, according to a report from the E.
Here are some tips to make sure your waste ends up in the right place: Look for a number inside a triangle on the bottom of plastic containers. Empty and rinse food containers before putting them in the recycling bin. A dirty container can spoil a whole batch of recyclables.
Recycle paper. Recycle paper and steel and tin cans. Before throwing away, ask: Can I re-use or repair this? Donate working electronics. Recycle broken electronics. Many local electronics stores offer free recycling programs for old goods. Collect dry cell batteries. You should be able to recycle them through your local municipality.
Contact your local car dealer or municipality to recycle car batteries. Make Your Home Energy Efficient Small changes to the insulation and design of your home — from do-it-yourself hacks to building changes — can help you reduce your carbon footprint at home. Seal your home well. Trouble spots can include the attic, windows and doors, where heat and cool can escape. Insulate your home. This helps keep the temperature stable. There are a range of materials you can use.
This guide can help you to choose the right one. Some insulation does degrade — for example, prior to the s, sawdust and newspaper were used for insulation. Install a cool roof.
This is made of a reflective material which redirects light away from your house, keeping it cool. Plant shrubs and trees around your home. This is an easy, and pretty, insulation fix, especially for older homes.
Check the energy-efficiency rating for your windows, doors and skylights. Look into incentives. These may include tax credits and rebates. Make Me Greener, Please June 10, What You Buy Buying less is the first step. How to Dress Sustainably According to the World Resources Institute, 20 items of clothing are manufactured per person, per year. Here are some tips to minimize your impact when you purchase clothing: Look for a fairtrade, or similar logo. This indicates your clothes were made sustainably.
Take a look at this transparency index from the organization Fashion Revolution. Shop vintage. Ask yourself: How many times will I wear this? Consider the fabric.
Think wool over synthetics. Donate old clothes. Better yet, use those too old to be donated for other purposes, like sewing projects or cleaning rags. Some animal shelters will take old sheets and towels for bedding material as well. Here are some tips: Take a reusable bag to the store.
Skip the packaging. Invest in quality products that last. Buy carbon offsets. Remember to be cautious in choosing your offsets , to make sure they are authentic. Fig Leaves Are Out. What to Wear to Be Kind to the Planet? May 24, Buying Into the Green Movement July 1, How to Have a Green Vacation March 1, What You Do In addition to changing your day-to-day habits, exercising your rights as a citizen is one of the most significant things you can do to help the planet.
Here are some other tips: Know your facts. Understanding the science of climate change will help you talk to your family, friends and local representatives with about the issue with confidence. Find local climate action groups or meetups in your area. Attending these meetings will help to keep you abreast of way you can help in your community. Speak to your local representative.
Suggest things your city or town can do to reduce its carbon footprint, like developing a town action plan, improving recycling, and adopting green energy policies. Vote on policies that protect the environment. These bold moves suggest an end to fossil fuel use well before That is within 31 years— within many of our lifetimes.
This confirms the need to rapidly end emitting carbon from fossil fuel, while also scaling up sequestration. The final agreement requires countries to return every five years with new emission reduction targets. Whether this essential requirement will be sufficient to catalyze more action remains to be seen. The agreement itself implies that committing to the 2-degree limit will involve far more than just a transition to clean energy; managing land to support many competing needs also will be part of the solution.
If we truly move out of fossil fuel fast and furiously, demand for substitutes—for instance forests as a fuel source—could place tremendous new pressures on our planet if not managed well.
The combination of all these forces—consumption, deforestation, agriculture and food, emissions—underscores more than ever the value of a comprehensive measure like the Ecological Footprint that takes into account all competing demands on the biosphere, including CO2 emissions and the capacity of our forests and oceans to absorb carbon.
Still, transitioning to renewable energy is one of the most powerful ways for a country to reduce its Ecological Footprint. Many countries still have a long way to go on that front. Jump to the Content. Cookie Settings I'm happy. Manage consent. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.
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