help save the environment

Help Save the Environment

You can do your part to help save the environment just by changing your daily habits.
41. Eat less meat and dairy
Meat and dairy production is highly resource intensive and inefficient. Attempting vegetarianism or veganism is definitely one of the best things you can do for the environment and also for your health.
Meatless Monday is a national non profit public health campaign that encourages people to give up meat one day a week. Visit the site for some meatless recipes.
42. Dont drink coffee from K cups
K cups, or the mini pods of ground coffee for Keurig coffee makers, are single use and typically thrown out (although they can be recycled if users disassemble them into paper, plastic, and metal). Billions of mini cups of ground coffee were sold in 2014, and the number of cups that ended up in landfills could circle the earth 12 times.Brew coffee in a regular coffee pot or French press instead.Use a mug or other reusable cup for your coffee instead of a disposable cup.If you love the convenience of single serve coffee and have already invested in a Keurig machine, look for a washable, refillable cup. Youll still save money and resources, compared to purchasing the individual cups.
43. Buy local food
Transporting food from far off locations takes a toll on the environment, as it must be shipped in trucks, by rail or by ship, all of which produce pollutants. Buying food that is sourced locally will help eliminate or reduce transportation impacts.
Visit farmers markets to find local vegetables and fruits or use a CSA (community supported agriculture) service to get fresh produce on a regular basis.
44. Avoid excess packaging
Oftentimes, food companies expend just as much energy creating the packaging for food products as is expended in producing the actual food. Try not to buy food that is individually wrapped or buy in bulk.
45. Dont waste food
Plan your meals so that you don
46. Use reusable bottles for water
Most tap water in developed countries is safe to drink, which means that buying bottled water is unnecessary. Buy a glass or metal bottle and fill it with water.Request a water quality report from your city if you are concerned about the quality of the water.A water filter is generally unnecessary, but even a simple one can improve the taste. Remember, however, that water softeners and reverse osmosis systems waste a lot more water than they deliver.Fill a pitcher with tap water and chill it in your refrigerator.If your tap water has a whitish, cloudy appearance when first poured, it may just be air bubbles. Try pouring some into a glass or bottle, and look again in a minute or two, to see if they rise out.
47. Switch to compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs
Compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs do cost more, but they also last longer than conventional light bulbs. They also use only one quarter of the energy.Start with the lights you leave on the most.
48. Install insulation in your attic and exterior walls
A good layer of insulation can be a relatively low cost way to improve both the comfort and efficiency of your home.
49. Check for leaks
If your faucets drip, get them fixed, or, if you cant fix it right away, at least put a container under the dripping faucet and use the water elsewhere, such as in your garden to water plants.To check your toilets, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank, not the bowl. Wait about ten minutes without flushing. If you see the dye in the toilet bowl, repair your toilet.
50. Install window treatments that maximize energy conservation
Choose curtains or blinds that keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter. For example, heavy curtains in a colder climate will help keep warm air in at night.If you are in a hot climate, such as the southwestern U.S., consider tinting your windows or installing a reflective coating. This will redirect heat away from your house. Talk with local contractors to find out what options make sense for your situation. Tinting the windows which receive direct sun will also protect your fabric colors from fading so quickly.