Taking care of the environment is something we all have a duty to do. Every day we hear some new story about how the world’s population are harming their own planet, so it’s up to us all to do something about it. The interesting thing is, it doesn’t take much to help; you can change a few things that you do at home and make a big difference – if we all did it, it would help immensely. Here’s how to get started.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
If your home is more energy efficient you will be helping the environment because you won’t have to burn so much fuel to heat or cool it. As a bonus, you’ll also save money. There are many things that can be done to make a property more energy efficient including installing weather stripping (this keeps the internal temperature higher so you don’t have to use as much heating), adding insulation, not having your HVAC running the whole time, and installing more efficient windows. You might even consider trying solar panels on your roof.
Don’t Litter
Dropping your litter on the ground isn’t just rude and anti-social; it’s bad for the environment too. When trash is put into the correct receptacles, it can be taken away to either be recycled or disposed of safely. When it is left on the street, it will just stay there, sometimes for years. Don’t drop your trash, which includes cigarette butts – a better option would be vaping, where companies like Mt Baker Vape can offer starter packs to get your started.
Compost
Even better than throwing your waste in the trash is using it to make compost. This cuts down on the amount that is taken to the landfill and will give your yard some great fertilizer so you can even grow your own fruit and vegetables (and if not at least your plants and lawn will look lush and healthy). By eating your own produce, you’re also limiting your carbon footprint.
Buy Local
Food production places a massive strain on the environment; shipping all over the world and even from state to state increases pollution levels and uses a lot of fuel. Where possible, buy local produce. Not only will you be helping the planet, but you’ll be helping the local economy too, and in the end that helps everyone because the taxes paid by local companies will go towards fixing roads and keeping schools stocked with enough textbooks and much more too. On top of this, a thriving local community with independent stores selling local products is great for house prices.
Save Water
Water is a commodity we tend to take for granted, leaving faucets running when we don’t need to, letting far too much precious water go down the drain. Small things add up over time, so when you have a leaky tap, you should fix it as soon as you can, and turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth will also help.