Be good to nature. Conserve energy; preserve the forests, water, and natural resources. By doing so, you can slow down global warming, enjoy a good healthy life and make significant savings in the bargain.
Here are some ideas to show you how you can spend less and help the environment too:
• Buy products that are free of preservatives, additives, or coloring as they are the least processed and the most natural.
• Buy food products and household consumables in bulk as it is more economical. It also means that you discard less packaging material in your garbage.
• Plan your meals so that you use oven space effectively by baking two or three dishes at the same time. Include raw salads in every meal. Steam food rather than frying it. Thaw frozen food before cooking it.
• Avoid Styrofoam containers and plates. Instead go for biodegradable and recyclable tableware and cutlery.
• Get stainless steel water bottles that are recyclable and reusable.
• Cool water in reusable bottles in the fridge.
• Do not overstock the fridge.
• Take shorter showers.
• Fix aerated showerheads in your bathrooms.
• Use long lasting scentless detergent concentrates in the wash.
• Ensure that there is plenty of natural light and fresh air circulation at home so that you use the air conditioning only when it is necessary. Plant trees in your garden so that the house is in the shade during the hottest part of the day.
• Install energy efficient fluorescent (CFL) bulbs.
• Replace old power guzzling appliances with new energy efficient ones.
• Switch off and unplug appliances when not in use.
• Fix leaking toilet tanks and faucets immediately.
• Buy recycled wood furniture to save trees from being cut down.
• Recycle kitchen and organic household waste in a compost pile in your garden.
• Have local plants in your garden as native flora flourish with little effort and minimal inputs.
• Conserve water by harvesting rainwater.
• Get a water efficient drip irrigation system laid in your garden. Avoid using a hose to save water and to prevent top soil erosion.
• Buy recycled stationery; use both sides of paper for printing and writing.
• Carry reusable shopping bags; leave some in the car so that they are readily available when you need to shop.
• Recycle electronics like computers and accessories, old clothes, books, cans, bottles, and toys.
• Buy recycled materials.
• Walk to work, a great and inexpensive way to stay healthy. Ride a bicycle when you need to go to the local convenience store or the ATM.
• Use a carpool or public transport to work. It saves on gas and reduces air pollution and traffic congestion.
• Install and use alternative sources of energy like solar panels on the roof for lighting, running appliances, and heating water.
• Plant trees. They give us shade, fruits, wood for fuel, and prevent soil erosion in the garden. They help keep the house cool in summer and act as a barrier from cold winds in winter. The absorption of carbon dioxide by trees reduces global warming. Trees are the lungs of our world.
