How to GO GREEN and SAVE GREEN at home and at work
How can we live lightly on the Earth and save money at the same time? Staff members at the Worldwatch Institute, a global environmental organization, share ideas on how to GO GREEN and SAVE GREEN at home and at work.
Climate change is in the news. It seems like everyone’s “going green.” We’re glad you want to take action, too. Luckily, many of the steps we can take to stop climate change can make our lives better. Our grandchildren-and their children-will thank us for living more sustainably. Let’s start now.
We’ve partnered with the Million Car Carbon Campaign to help you find ways to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. This campaign is uniting conscious consumers around the world to prevent the emissions-equivalent of 1 million cars from entering the atmosphere each year.
Keep reading for 10 simple things you can do today to help reduce your environmental impact, save money, and live a happier, healthier life.
1. Save energy to save money.
State of the World 2009:
Into a Warming World
o Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
o Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
o Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Or, use a “smart” power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts “phantom” or “vampire” energy use.
o Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
o Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
2. Save water to save money.
o Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
o Install a low-flow showerhead. They don’t cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
o Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
o Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.
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