Просмотр содержимого документа
«7 ways to save the Earth»
1
Conserve water at home. Wasting water is one of the biggest ways individuals impact the health of the planet. Taking measures to use less water is something you can start doing right away. If you live in an area with a water shortage, this is even more important for the health of your region's environment. Try to check off as many items as possible from this list:
Check and fix any water leaks. A leaky faucet can waste a lot of water.
Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets. A low-flow showerhead could be a good start.
Don't wash dishes with the water running continuously. Use a method that requires less water to get the dishes clean.
Turn off washing machine's water supply to prevent leaks. It doesn't need to be on all the time.
Replace old toilets with new ones that use a lot less water.
Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and dishes. Doing a half-load wastes water.
Don't use too much water to water your lawn.
Don't leave the faucet running while you brush your teeth.
2
Use fewer chemicals. Chemicals used to wash our bodies, homes, cars and everything else get washed down the drain or absorbed in the grass, and eventually end up in the water supply. Since most people use heavy-duty chemicals for all sorts of things, chemicals are doing real damage to waterways and aquatic life. The chemicals aren't good for humans, either, so do your best to cut back on them. Here's how:
Learn about alternatives household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals. For example, using a solution of 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 water works as well as most commercial cleaners for basic cleaning jobs. Baking soda and salt are cheap, nontoxic cleansers, but should be used in moderation.
When no good alternatives to a toxic item exist, determine the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result and use a minimal amount each time you clean. Paying close attention to the requisite amount will help you reduce and also save money.
Instead of using chemical-laden shampoos and soaps, try making your own.
Instead of using pesticides and herbicides, find natural ways to get rid of weeds and pests.
3
Dispose of toxic waste the right way. Paint, motor oil, ammonia, and a host of other chemicals should not be poured down the drain or directly into the ecosystem. They'll soak into the earth and end up in the groundwater. Contact your local sanitation department to find out about best practice for disposing of hazardous waste and toxic chemicals.
4
Help identify large-scale water polluters.
Individuals can only do so much when it comes to keeping water clean. Businesses and industries are often the culprits when it comes to water pollution. In order to protect the earth's water, concerned citizens should speak up and find ways to stop pollution at its source. [2]
Join a local environmental group that works to clean up the water in your area, whether it's a river, lake or ocean.
Contact your local representative to speak up about your views on keeping water chemical-free.
Volunteer to help clean up beaches or riverbanks.
Help others get involved in efforts to clean up the water in your area.
Use less electricity. Coal and natural gas are the most common sources of energy that gets turned into electricity. The burning of these substances is a major factor in world air pollution. Reducing your reliance on electricity is a great way to play a part in saving the planet.[3] Here's what you can do:
Use solar power for home and water heating.
Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120.
Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods.
Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time.
Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 .
When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door.
Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy.
Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.
Plant trees to shade your home.
Replace old windows with energy efficient ones.
Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away.
Insulate your home as best as you can.
6
Become an air pollution activist. Identify local groups working to combat air pollution, and find a way to get involved. By educating yourself and others about the problem, you can have a greater impact than you'd have by simply making lifestyle changes.
Join a group that plants trees to help clean the air.
Become a bike activist. Work to have safe paths built in your city.
Contact your local representatives to speak up about issues particular to your region. If there's a factory spewing pollutants into the air, for example, get politically active to put a stop to it.
7
Plant trees and don't cut them. Trees protect land from getting eroded, and they're an integral part of the ecosystem. In saving trees you'll be protecting not only land, but water and air, too. If you have room in your yard, consider planting a few trees to invest in the future of your neighborhood.
8
Work to protect animal habitats.
Whether there's a particular type of animal you want to work to save, or you'd like to work for the health of all of the planet's endangered species, there's an animal rights group out there that could use your energy and time.
835
75 983 
