This is simply a list of 30 things that you can do to reduce your carbon footprint, develop a sustainable lifestyle and help stop global warming. We all know that we should do something to help preserve the future of the earth but we sometimes lose sight of the small (check your thermostat) and even the larger things (install double paned glass) that we can do to take a step in the right direction. While it is not likely that you will go out and check off each item on this list over the next 30 days as you overhaul your lifestyle, but it would be nice if you read through it and picked at least 3 things that you can and will do.
· Use More Recycled Paper Make sure your printer paper is 100% post consumer recycled paper. Save 5 lbs. of carbon dioxide per ream of paper.
· Check Your Thermostat Move your heater thermostat down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in the summer. Save 2000 lbs of carbon dioxide and $98 per year.
· Check Your Water Heater Make sure your water heater thermostat is no higher than 120°F. Save 550 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $30 per year.
· Change the Filter on your Air Conditioner Clean or replace dirty air conditioner filters as recommended. Save 350 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $150 per year.
· Take a Shorter Shower Showers account for 2/3 of all water heating costs. Save 350 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $99 per year.
· Install a Low-Flow Showerhead Using less water in the shower means less energy to heat the water. Save 350 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $150.
· Switch your Light Bulbs Replace 3 frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Save 300 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $60 per year.
· Turn off Your Computer By turning off your computer when you are not using it can save 200 lbs of C02. Conserve energy by using your computer’s “sleep mode” instead of a screen saver.
· Buy Products Locally Buy locally and reduce the amount of energy it takes to transport the products to your local store.
· Buy Goods with Minimal Packaging Less packaging means less waste and could reduce your garbage by about 10%. Save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide and $1,000 per year.
· Inflate Your Tires Properly Keep the tires on your car adequately inflated. Check them monthly. Save 250 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $840 per year.
· Change Your Dirty Air Filter Keep your cars air filter clean. Save 800 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $130 per year.
· Drive a Fuel Efficient Car Just a few extra miles per gallon makes a big difference. Save thousands of lbs. of CO2 and a lot of money per year.
· Carpool When You Can Setting up a carpool with friends and co-workers saves fuel. You can save 790 lbs. of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.
· Don’t Idle in Your Car Idling wastes gas, money, and generates pollution and global warming causing emissions. When not in traffic, turn your engine off if you must wait for more than 30 seconds.
· Fill the Dishwasher Before Running Run your dishwasher only with a full load. Save 100 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $40 per year.
· Reduce Garbage Recycle paper, plastic and glass and buy products with less packaging. Save 1,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide per year.
· Plant a Tree Trees draw in carbon dioxide and, in turn produce clean air for us to breathe. Save 2,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide per year.
· Insulate Your Water Heater By keeping your water heater insulated you could save 1,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $40 per year.
· Replace Old Appliances Older inefficient appliances waste energy. Save hundreds of lbs. of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.
· Weatherize Your Home By caulking and weather stripping your doorways and windows you could save 1,700 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $274 per year.
· Use a Push Mower Reduce noise pollution and air pollution as well as getting some exercise. Save 80 lbs of carbon dioxide per year.
· Unplug Un-Used Electronics Electronic devices use energy ever when they are turned off. The only way to reduce their use is to unplug them. Save over 1,000 lbs of carbon dioxide and $256 per year.
· Wear a Sweater Dress warmer around the house instead of cranking up the heater. Save 1,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $250 per year.
· Insulate Your Home Be sure to insulate all walls and ceilings with environmentally sustainable, non-toxic insulation. Save 2,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $245 per year.
· Air Dry Your Clothes Instead of using the dryer try line drying your clothes when the weather permits. Save 700 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $75 per year.
· Get a Tankless Water Heater Instead of keeping a tank of hot water perpetually hot, your water will be heated on an “as needed” basis. Save 300 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $390 per year.
· Install Double Pane Windows Double pane windows offer more insulation to keep more heat inside your home which uses less energy. Save 10,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $436 per year.
· Buy Organic Food Most of the worlds pesticides are used on food. These chemicals pollute the water supply, and require energy to produce.
· Bring Cloth Bags to the Market Paper and plastic bags require a lot of energy to produce and take a very long time to decompose. Using cloth takes no additional energy. If you still use plastic or paper, be sure to recycle them.
