What can I do to improve the way I live?

Question

I took two seperate online footprint calculators and they both said that I live as if we had 5 earths to sustain us. Here is what I do currently:

1. Recycle. I recycle paper, plastics # 1 and #2, coke cans, veggie cans, glass, newpaper.

2. I keep the lights off. I get home at 3:15 and stay home alone most days until 8:30. The only lights that are kept on is the one in my room and a lamp in the living room so the dog cans see how to get around and eat (she had a slipped disc and surgery and can't walk good.)

3. I drive a Ford Aspire. It currently gets 25 miles to a gallon, but some things need to be fixed on it so i should get more later.

4. We catch rainwater in 5 gallon buckets and a big barrel to give the dogs and animals water. We also use it to water the plants and garden in the summer.

5. In the summer we grow a garden and produce our own produce. Peppers, green beans, potatoes, caneloupe, eggplant, okra, squash.

How can I reduce my rather large footprint?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Buy from bulk bins and use your own containers to get them home instead of using the plastic bags.

Don't use plastic produce bags, you can just bring the produce home sans bag or you can purchase a reusable organic cotton bag.

Try biking or walking more.

Buy products with as little packaging as possible.

Use natural non-toxic cleaning products. white vinegar and baking soda will clean just about anything.

Buy recycled paper products like toilet paper, napkins, papertowels.

Even better don't buy paper napkins and papertowels instead use cloth.

Turn the heat down and AC up. Use blankets to keep you warm and fans to keep you cool.

N. & J.

http://badhuman.wordpress.com

Answer 3

Just keep doing what you are doing and grab yourself a compost its great and when the gardening season comes you can use the compost for fertilizer thats what I've been doing.

Answer 4

1. Excellent, but make sure to take plastic cap/lids (only metal caps/lids off and rinse it.

2. Agree with first person.

3. Switch your car to Hybrid.

4. Excellent.

5. If you have leftover, you could create compost bin and turn that into organic waste like "skin of apple, orange, banana, etc.

Answer 5

It's great that you garden and catch rainwater!

You might also remember that foodwise, vegetarianism and veganism produce a smaller footprint, as does buying local produce when you are not eating out of your garden.  Use public transit, carpool, and bike when you can.  Also literally unplug appliances when they are not in use (TV, computer, microwave).  This reduces the "phantom load" on your electric bill as these appliances usually consume energy waiting for you to turn them on.  

A smaller home in a high-density area reduces your footprint, of course, but you probably weren't looking for that kind of answer.

Answer 6

1. Switch all your light bulbs to the energy efficient one.

2. You probably love your car, but there are cars that are capable of giving you like 35 miles per hour, and one the major car companies just came out with a new fuel cell car. The one that works with hydrogen instead of gasoline, and it has 0 emissions.

3. You can also power your house with solar panels.

4. Depending where you live you can install a wind turbine to help power stuff.

5. Insulate your house.

6. Install energy efficient windows and doors.

7. Energy efficient big appliances, like refrigerator, stove and stuff like that.

8. Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees in winter and 75 in summer.

And there is many more but I can not remember them now, I am sorry. Good luck and Thank you.

Answer 7

Look at what you are doing now. Give yourself a break. Stop taking on line footprint calculators. You must understand that you will never, ever, do enough or give up enough to satisfy these people.

Answer 8

I would suggest you take 3-5 minute showers...

I do and my water bill is pretty LOW!!!!