What can a 15 1/2 -year-old do to help the environment?

Question

I really want to do something to help the environment, but all the 'How to be Eco friendly' tips online are for adults, it seems. What can I do?

Also, one thing that I'm going to do is plant a tree. Is there a specific type of tree that will absorb more carbon than other types of trees? Thanks.

Answer 1

Becoming a hunter will do more to protect and conserve wildlife habitat more than anything. Hunting is one of the only things keeping urban sprawl to a minimum. Also the fees from hunting licenses are Used by the State Environmental Agency to protect wildlife and conserve habitate and create more habitat by purchasing land from the public and restoring it for outdoor recreation. Also when you buy a duck stamp for waterfowl hunting the money from the stamp goes to protecting wetlands, and creating them. Finally i believe that when you buy sporting goods, such as ammo, some of the tax money goes to conservation. In addition you can start writing or local congressmen, governor, senators, Department of Environmental conservation, and so on to ask them to get more involved in helping the environment.

Answer 2

Recycle.

Buy less plastic stuff.

Grow herbs.

Answer 3

There are so many things you can do. To name a few:

-Recycle - including print cartridges, paper

-Turn off the water when you brush your teeth

-Use canvas shopping bags

-Use cloth napkins

-Use a toaster oven to reheat rather than a conventional oven

There's a list of 50 things you can do to be more green here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

Save money and the environment by making your own foam soap:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...

Answer 4

1. Stop breathing.

2. Don't use your computer or any electricity for that matter.

3. Buy extra plastic bags, so you always have them handy when you go out to do your help!

4. Use as much paper as you can because if you don't, you would be wasting the poor tree's life.

5. Leave your lights on as long as possible to help heat your room instead

6. If you can drive, practice for an extra 10 minutes or drive an extra 15 minutes out of your way.

7. Instead of green and following the media, go purple for a change.

Answer 5

go around and pick up litter or just recycle or do carpuls it saves gas and money or plant trees  

Answer 6

Don't think of those tips as adult only. You have a lot of influence over how your parents spend their money. Perfect example, do you really think an adult said, I just don't think my kids watch enough TV lets put one in the car, that was a youth driven change.

You can educate your parents about their choices. Most parents want their children to have everything they didn't have when they were young. Instead of getting a shirt from the trendy store you can ask them to get you natural and organic fibers instead. There are many links at www.biggreenpurse.com to clothing shops that sell eco friendly clothes. Do some of the research yourself, find a local organic farmers market and ask them to take you to shop there. Once you have a tomatoe that was picked ripe it is hard to go back to the tasteless things they sell in a grocery store. If you have a yard ask for a 4'x4' square to plant vegetables in. Say you want a pet and start a worm farm for compost. Adjust the thermostat and see if they even notice. Next time you are out of windex ask your mom to give vinegar and water a try.

I'll put my standard go green answer and see how many items you may be able to do on your own or ask your parents to give a try. Since most of them save money they should be willing.

Going green is easy, there are so many great resources about the subject. My personal favorite is "The Green Book" which has parts of its book online as well at www.readthegreenbook.com.

As I have been striving to "Go Green" I realize it is like stepping back in time without getting rid of my modern conveniences. I'm doing many things I learned as a child, like line drying my clothes, sweeping instead of vacuuming, opening the windows in the morning to catch the cool breeze, only buying what I need instead of everything that looks cool, growing some of my own food, and canning what I can't eat now.

To me "going Green" is a frame of mind. Do what fits your lifestyle and do the easy things first, it is a process and like dieting if you go to radical to soon, you are more likely to go back to bad habits. I also believe there are good, better, best choices in most things. If you aren't ready to start a home garden, then try finding a farmers market, until you locate one look for produce grown as close to home as possible and go organic when available.

Many people think "going green" is expensive, I disagree. Some changes may take an initial investment, but they usually have a short payoff time. Things like weatherstiping and insulation cost, but the energy savings will add up quickly. You may need to purchase reusable bags, but most stores give you a 5 or 10 cent credit, so you are paid back within a few months.

My top tips are make your home more energy efficient, that also means using natural light, cooling and heating.

Reduce your packaging, if you eat more fresh food you will generally reduce packaging, it's the same thing they tell dieters, shop the perimiter, that is where all the meat, dairy and produce are located. Only buy what you will use, many Americans throw away a lot of unused food. Buy in bulk, that doesn't just mean large packages, but that area with the bins that you buy only what you plan on using.

Replace disposable items with durable items, if you eat outside often and use disposable paper or plastic plates, it is a wise investment to purchase a set of reusable plastic plates. Replace disposable razors, diapers and cleaning products like swiffer. Avoid bottled water, get a home filter like Pur or Brita.

Recycle, www.earth911.org will help you locate the nearest recycle center. I try to only purchase plastics that are #1 or #2, they are more easily recycled. I also buy recycled products when available, that includes paper towels, napkings, toilet paper, tissue, school/office supplies and clothing.

Detox your cleaning, vinegar and baking soda clean almost anything, they can even losen a hair clog. Seventh Generation and Method are a couple mainstream brands that are very earth friendly.

Just start small and build from there, don't get overwhelmed.

Answer 7

Don't let your age get in the way!!! You can get involved in community activities or even go to the park and pick up trash around it. Every little bit helps, just remember that this is what we will leave our children and i know i will want the very best for them!!!

Answer 8

-Recycle

-Ask for recycled products in your school supplies

-Use more eco-friendly hygiene/beauty products

-Shop at 2nd hand stores

-Donate/sell things you are done with (clothes, old toys, books, etc.)

-Reduce electronics turnover - use cell phones, computers, gaming systems, etc. a little while longer before replacing

-Take your own bag when you do go shopping

-Re-use items - organize your room with food containers instead of new products. You can decorate these with old wrapping paper or clothing to make them all yours.

-When food is your choice avoid fast food and packaged junk food - go for fruits, fresh veggies, and local foods instead

-Turn off lights, TVs, etc.  Unplug electronics and chargers when not in use.

-Reduce water consumption - shorter shower, turn faucet off when brushing teeth, etc.

Tip for planting trees - go with a local native. It will be best suited for water, climate, and soil in your area and won't create an invasive species problem.

Answer 9

You can inspire other people. Check this link to se how

Answer 10

Turn off lights TV etc.

Pick up bottles and cans and return them to the store. Make some $$$.

Walk.

Don't waste your time planting a tree. Someone will cut it down some day  because it is in the way.

Answer 11

Just because of your age doesnt mean you cant be supportive. Be pro- life and preach about others what you believe in. Planting any tree is a good idea, Convince your parents also to walk instead of drive sometimes. Dont litter, recycle, Join some eco friendly organisations perhaps. Your doing a good thing being so open minded at the age of 15. Well done, hope this helps. God bless you <3

Answer 12

There are many things that you can do to go green, and some are very inexpensive and easy too:

~Of course, recycle everything you can! (Ex: cans, bottles, plastics, paper, ect.)

~Buy energy saving light bulbs

~Buy things like clothes, paper, ect that are made from recycled materials

~Use reusable batteries or recycle dead batteries properly

~Use reusable shopping bags

~If you have plastic shopping bags, use them instead of just tossing them. They can be used to pick up dog poo, line small trash cans, ect.

~Try not to use paper napkins or paper towel as much as possible. Instead use cloth napkins that can be washed.

~Try to use fewer paper plates and more washable ones.

~Take shorter showers

~Turn off lights whenever possible

~Try to buy more organic foods and local foods (for example, at a farmer's market)

~Use regular silverware, not plastic

~Use eco friendly products in replace of regular dish washing liquids, house cleaners, ect. (Greenworks)

~Use cold water to wash clothes (Tide Cold water works great)

~On a nice day, turn off the air/heat and open some windows. You save on the cost, get a nice fresh breeze, and help the environment.

~Plant trees around your house to shade and save on using more air conditioning

~Buy one stainless steel, reusable, water bottle instead of using regular plastic ones and then getting rid of them. This one you can clean and use over and over again!

~Change the setting on your sprinklers to use less water

~Buy eco friendly fertilizers (I think they have them at Home Depot)

~If painting, they have eco friendly paint at Home Depot

~Walk or ride a bike wherever possible

That is all I can think of, but you can also get some tips at www.gogreen.com

Answer 13

were the same age, & some of the things i do are

; Plant a garden (with ground soil & household compost)

; Try to buy organic as much as possible

; buy recycled school notebooks ( or ones made of organic hemp, etc.)

; Recycle

; Buy green books ( they are wonderful if you want to know about ways to improve the enviorment) My favorite The Green Book by Elizebeth Rogers.

; Buying organic makeup ( such as Physcians formula's organic collection)

; Use a reusable bag at the grocery store

; Use a stainless steel water bottle (instead of plastic ones which take up landfill space & release chemicals from the plastic into the water)

* Those are just a few of the things you can do, thier are alot of simple things you can do to contribute. Such as keeping the lights of as much as possible, turning the water of when you brush your teeth, picking up litter and so on. (:

Answer 14

well ciggerete butts are gross and ppl throw them around , uhm stop freinds from littering , and stuff to that effect , there is a punk band im my band plays wiht that is all about eco frendly stuff

myspace.com/majorpotenital1 i think

and my band is myspace.com/runjohnnyrun1