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Sustainability
101
I could write a list of a million little things you can do in your house to be kinder to the environment, but really it all comes down to these pretty simple rules of thumb:
- Think about what you throw away.
Why? Because there is no "away." All of your trash has to go somewhere, so try to reduce the amount of stuff you throw away by consuming less, composting(link), reusing, buying smart (see below), and recycling!- Think about what you buy.
The things you buy have a big social and environmental impact. Vote with your dollar, buy stuff that is going to last a while, avoid sweatshops, choose stuff that contains less packaging, and support your local economy.- Think about the food you eat.
The fresher food is, the better it is for you! Buy local, organic, and vegan when you can! (See the 4th issue of GreenLight for a whole lot more on food.) Compost scraps and what you can't finish.- Think about the electricity you use.
In Ohio, 86% of our electricity comes from coal. Not only does coal emit a ton of carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming, but mining coal is a really dirty process and sometimes involves blowing the tops off mountains to get to the coal (http://www.ilovemountains.org/). So turn appliances off and unplug them when you're not using them! Take a look at your electricity bill every month and try to keep it as low as possible! When you need a new computer or dishwasher, try to find one that is rated Energy Star, which means that it uses less energy.- Think about how you get around. Transporation accounts for 1/3 of the carbon footprint of the United States. Walk, bike, carpool, and take public transporation when you can! If you are able, drive a fuel-efficient car and combine trips. Check out this link to learn how to save gas by driving efficiently.
