| These days, the environment is a hot-button | | | | an island of garbage that's twice the size of |
| topic. But no matter what your political stance is, | | | | Texas floating somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. |
| it is always a good idea to try to improve the | | | | Do your part to stop this pile from growing and |
| health of the planet and make it a more livable | | | | quit buying bottled water. Instead of opting for |
| place for future generations. In order to do that it | | | | that bottle of Dasani because "it tastes better", |
| is crucial that individuals make a conscious effort | | | | just get a reusable jug or thermos (like people |
| to reduce their carbon footprints. There are big | | | | have done for centuries). Fill it, carry it around |
| ways like installing a renewable energy system in | | | | with you, and fill it again when it's empty. At |
| your home or office, or eliminating bottled water | | | | home, invest in a filtration system and stop using |
| from your grocery list. Shrinking your carbon | | | | plastic cups. If you do end up using plastic bottles |
| footprint seems like quite a feat, but if you follow | | | | or jugs, as they're pretty much inevitable in the |
| this brief how-to guide you can rest assured that | | | | U.S., be sure to recycle them. |
| you're doing your part to make the earth a | | | | 4) Go native! Get some plants that are native to |
| better place. | | | | your area and plant a little garden in your yard |
| 1) Unplug! Unplug appliances you don't use or aren't | | | | using organic soil as it uses fewer resources and |
| currently using. Most electronics have a standby | | | | is produced with more eco-friendly methods. |
| mode that harbors energy they're not in use. Cell | | | | Plants that are native to your area are more likely |
| phone chargers, DVD players, stereos, and | | | | to grow better in a familiar climate. Green plants |
| laptops are all items that tend to get left in the | | | | are a great way to offset carbon, so planting |
| outlet. Take a few seconds and unplug them to | | | | anything helps. |
| save energy. | | | | 5) Use cold water! For showering, hot water is |
| 2) Install! Installing a renewable energy system in | | | | obviously a necessity. But if you're doing a load of |
| your home is one of the biggest ways you can | | | | laundry, switch the settings to cold water. It |
| reduce your carbon footprint. Today, there are | | | | takes a ton of energy to heat water, and if it's |
| quite a few companies that offer affordable PV | | | | not really necessary, you should most definitely |
| solar panels that can be customized to fit your | | | | cut back. If you can't part with your hot water, |
| home and business needs. Live off the grid and | | | | there are hot water heaters available that are |
| install PV solar panels or some kind of renewable | | | | powered by PV solar panels that can give you |
| energy system in your home. | | | | the heat you need, without the environmental |
| 3) No bottled water! If you haven't heard, there's | | | | impact. |