How to be green ?

Question

It's not that my electric/gas bills are flying out the roof, but what can i do in everyday life to lower my carbon-footprint ?

Answer 1

be conscious of your comsumption

Answer 2

It really does amuse me to see all these ineffectual replies about “green” living, which look at the final link in the chain and then try to remedy the whole problem.

When will people realise that the root cause of most environmental issues is to be found in the whole DESIGN of consumer-goods, and in the perpetual greed of people who want the latest things and the latest fashions?

How many people have, in the space of just ten years, have had a video tape recorder,  a DVD player, a DVD analogue recorder and now the new generation of digital recorder?

How many people have had the same washing-machine for ten years, or run a car for eight years?

Multiply this by all the consumer things in the home: kettles, cookers, washers, dryers, kitchen-units, can openers, TV’s, light-bulbs, etc etc.

The fact is, manufacturers have a vested interest in planned obsolescence, and want YOU, the consumer, to get bored with old things, or feel inadequate if you do not have the latest items.

Yes, I know that re-cycling and re-using plastic bags is important, but in comparison to the disposable nature of major household items, it is nothing.

Every time you buy a piece of household equipment or furniture, the carbon footprint is enormous, due to manufacture, distribution and packaging; not to mention disposal of the old.

If manufacturers were obliged to make things to last, with cosmetic updates being allowed using base-frame construction methods, this could potentially make a massive difference to the way we buy, use and dispose of things.

The solution to carbon footprint is not going to come from the grass roots of concern, but from a combined political and engineering initiative, AND IT IS PERFECTLY FEASIBLE AND WORKABLE.

Answer 3

http://www.bp.com/extendedsectiongeneric...

You can go here and calculate it.  there are plenty of things you can do and this test will make you more aware of them.

Answer 4

Get rid of your PC and internet access.

Answer 5

Use canvas bags when you go to the store.

Always remember to turn off the light when you leave a room.

use a reuseable water bottle instead of buying plastic ones.

Answer 6

follow this link

easy to understand ideas that you probably have not thought of

http://www.gomestic.com/Personal-Finance...

Answer 7

You can use green electricity if your provider have. It reduces carbon emission in environment.

Some ideas..

http://livegreenideas.blogspot.com/

Answer 8

I took the unusual step many years ago of doubling my supply of underwear, thus diminishing by half my use of the washing machine.

Answer 9

insulate.

Answer 10

There are many simple and cost effective ways to reduce your waste:

1) use energy efficient electronics and lights

2) buy reusable rather than single use

            a ) 1 reusable water bottle that you fill from home instead of buying flats of bottled water.

             b) use cloth to clean instead of paper towel it can be washed instead of disposed

3) Consider composting - even in an apartment you can compost there are many small odorless systems -then use the soil for house plants.

4) House plants clean the air in your home

5) buy recycled products

6) buy organic - you can do so cheaply at the local farmers market

7) use rechargeable batteries

8) Recycle - there are so many ways to recycle from donating clothing to taking your oil, paint and electronics to responsible facilities for appropriate disposition. - you can check your local EPA for approved and registered services.

Good Luck!

Answer 11

REcycle  and recycle, look for a caring shed in your area where people can donate unwanted items for others to use.

check out this website if your interested in all the toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis. http://www.ahealthcafe.com/letsgob1