Top 10 Environmentally Friendly Tips

The environment is an issue that is on everyone’s minds these days. Global warming, climate change, the Kyoto agreement, renewable energy and the list goes on. The issues just seem so big; it’s too much for one little person. Yet, protecting our environment starts with each person. If each person made just one small change, it would add up quickly. So, what are some of the things you can do? Here’s a list of 10 simple things to help you get started.

1) Buy energy efficient appliances

Buy energy efficient appliances because they save electricity, which reduces greenhouse gases. What you save in electricity or water costs will more than pay for the difference in cost between a regular appliance and an energy efficient appliance. Also, replace any appliance that is over 15 years old. Newer appliances are built to be more energy efficient.

 

2) Buy energy efficient light bulbs

The price of energy efficient light bulbs has come down dramatically the past few years. According to Energy Star, “If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.” And that’s just from one light bulb. Think about it, how many light bulbs are there in your house?

 

3) Reduce fuel consumption

Buy fuel efficient cars and reduce how much you use your car. Walk to nearby stores or take transit where possible. Sign petitions asking your local government to increase the funding for transit.

Reduce the fuel you use in gardening by using hand-powered tools and machines where possible. For example, use a rake or broom instead of a leaf blower. Use a manual push mower instead of an electric or gas lawn mower. Not only will you help save the environment, but with rising gas and energy prices, your wallet will thank you. For all your tools and machines, whether they are powered by hand, electricity or gas, keep them well maintained. The tools and machines will last longer and perform more efficiently.

 

4) Plant trees

Plant more trees in your yard, as trees remove carbon dioxide from the air. For smaller yards, shrubs and bushes are a great alternative to large trees. Shrubs in the front yard are a great alternative to fences and may be more appealing to look at than a fence. Large trees do increase real estate values; even one large tree on your property will increase real estate values. If the windows in your house face north, evergreen trees will help to protect from cold winter winds. For windows facing south, deciduous trees will provide shelter from the strong, hot sun during the summer. Fruit trees provide delicious fruits, for either your family or the local wildlife.

 

5) Buy locally

Buy locally grown produce when possible. Not only will it be fresher and tastier, but it will have required less fuel to transport it.

 

6) Reduce water consumption

Many cities and towns now have water restrictions and limit how much water can be used to water your lawn and garden. Use rain water to water your garden instead of tap water. To help catch rain water, place buckets or barrels underneath water spouts and eavesdrops. Also look at the type of plants in your garden. Certain plants are more drought resistant than others.

 

7) Recycle and Compost

Don’t throw out your old newspaper, cardboard or glass bottles. Recycle them! Along with recycling programs, most cities are introducing composting programs. They work the same way as recycling, where you place food scraps in a container and the city collects the scraps once every week or two. Most importantly, recycling and composting reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfills.

 

8) Plug air leaks

Plug air leaks around doors and windows with proper caulking and weather stripping. In the winter, this means less heat will escape your house and will help to lower your heating costs. Plus, proper sealing around windows means less moisture build up. Excessive moisture around the windows can lead to mold growth, which is bad for your health.

 

9) Turn your furnace fan on

Turn your furnace fan on and let it run all day. It will help to circulate the air in your house and allow for more even heat distribution. During the summer, the fan will bring up the cool air in the basement to the upper levels in the house and reduce the use of your air conditioner.

 

10) Buy a programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats are great! They allow you to set a schedule so that the temperature in your house will change automatically for different times of the day. Most allow you to program two schedules, one for the week and one for weekends. In the winter, set your thermostat one degree lower when you go to sleep at night or when you are away at work during the day. During the summer, set the thermostat so that it will run less when you are not at home. Even a difference of one degree can save you a lot of money.

 

I hope you found these tips useful. By the way, did you notice how most of the tips will help you to save money? If you have any useful tips that you would like to share, please e-mail me, Joanne, at garden@thegardenersescape.com  and I’ll post them on my website. If you would like, let me know what your first name is and where you are from, so that I can include that too.

 

 

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