10 Ways to Conserve Resources and fight Global Warming
1. Use Less Hot Water
It takes lots and lots of energy to heat water. Make your showers shorter - even a few minutes can save a lot. You can also get wet, then shut the water off while you shampoo, and put the water back on to rinse off. Ask parents to install a low-flow shower head. Wash full loads of laundry or full loads of dishes instead of just washing a few dirty things.
2. Recycle More!
Think before you throw away newspapers, juice bottles or tin cans. They can all be recycled. Everything you put in the trash ends up in a landfill! Don't forget that things like vegetable and fruit scraps can be composted. (There are lots of kitchen compost pails available at stores and on the internet.) The compost is great for you garden or outdoor potted plants. Be sure to take things like computers and cell phones and hazardous wastes to special recycling centers.
3. Don't Use the Car As Much
Walk, bike or carpool with friends when you can. If you have public transportation like buses or trains, use it often. Try to string all your errands together in a day so that you make one continuous trip instead of lots of short trips back and forth between your house. Have your parents consider a hybrid car or alternative fuel car. Also, keep your tires properly inflated. It can improve gas mileage by 3%.
4. Replace Light Bulbs
Take out the regular bulbs and put in a longer lasting and more energy efficient compact flourescent bulb. They cost a little more at the store, but they last longer and will save electricity.
5. Don't Buy Products with Lots of Packaging
When you're shopping, buy products that are packaged with recycled material or are in the least amount of packaging needed. Also remember to buy products that are good for the environment like organic milk and other products which are made without pesticides. Try to always support local farmers' markets and buy things in season.
6. Adjust Your Thermostat
In the winter, move the temperature on the thermostat down about 2 degrees. It will be a little chillier, but you can put on a warm sweater or sweatshirt. In the summer, move the thermostat for your air conditioner higher by 2 degrees. It will be a little warmer, but still feel cooler than the outside. Doing this can save a lot of energy, especially if everyone does it. Also consider switching to power made by natural means. (Ex: Solar heaters for a backyard pool or solar-powered outdoor lights.)
7. Turn Off Electronic Devices
By just turning off your TV, DVD player, stereo, unplugging your IPod and cell phone charger when not in use, you will save thousands of pounds of CO2 from being put in the air!
8. Plant a Tree
It will be spring soon and a good time to find a native tree to plant in your yard. One single tree can absorb one ton of Carbon Dioxide over its lifetime!
9. Go Green
Work to make these changes in your daily life so that it becomes second nature to you and your family. Start by choosing one thing that you can do this week, and try to change your habits a week or month at a time.
10. Spread the Word!
Tell other people! Teach them what you've learned, and show them how easy it is to make their home and life energy efficient!