Climate change is something that affects us all. As a simple example, homes and transport are responsible for about 40% of carbon emissions in the United Kingdom and this is even higher in the USA. Taking the steps towards an eco-friendly lifestyle that reduces your "footprint" on the earth can be a difficult thing to understand in our highly interconnected world. What may at first appear to be energy efficient may have an ecological cost somewhere else. However, there are simple things that with a little awareness of our daily activities where we can make a difference. If you throw in some DIY Eco Projects and Recycling [http://www.diyecoenergy.com], you can be well on the way to making a positive impact.
If you are interested in a more eco-friendly way of living, here are some tips to get you started.
Fit energy-efficient light bulbs and save $US15 a year per
bulb
When buying new appliances choose the most energy efficient
Switch to an electricity provider that produces all or some
power from renewable sources
Remember to turn off your appliances when not in use,
average savings $US60 a year
Insulate your home for a warmer, cheaper winter. Double glaze windows, and consider cavity-wall insulation. Use draft excluders, put silver foil behind radiators, cover up keyholes and close doors
Turn your heating down (one degree saves ten per cent on
your bill) and use the timer
Save money and provide up to half your total water
consumption by installing a simple rainwater tank. It not only saves water but also the energy to store & pump it to your home
Remember to turn the tap off when brushing your teeth and
have a shower instead of a bath (showering uses less heating energy)
Save food miles and aeroplane emissions by buying locally
produced food when available
Plant your own fruit and veg, even if you have a balcony,
cherry tomatoes are perfect
Make the most of your kitchen waste by turning it into
compost
Try to by unpackaged and unprocessed foodstuffs, this cuts out the packaging you have find a way to recycle
Where possible, use public transport, bike or walk
Check out "eco-friendly" cars, you may be exempt from road
tax, some congestion charges and parking fees
If using your car, keep it properly tuned, correctly
inflate tires and drive slower
Combine car trips for multiple chores
Recycle, recycle, recycle! Landfill sites are a big
producer of methane – a greenhouse gas.
Rediscover the pleasures of local holidays or look into
responsible tourism
Have an eco-work holiday, help with a community or eco
project, plant trees, meet great people
Buy an eco-friendly Christmas presents
Buy Fair Trade gifts and in so doing help a community in the developing world to build a better, more sustainable future
By secondhand and recycled goods and cut out the extra
manufacturing energy cost.
When you look down the list, nothing here is really that difficult. If everyone were to cut back and go green, the difference in out ecological impact would be immense, even in our western busy lifestyles.
