Make Life a Little Greener — Part III
Green Tips for Travel
Put foot to pedal
Choose to put foot to pedal and ride a bike
instead of taking the car. It saves energy and reduces pollution, and
it helps to reduce your carbon footprint. In addition, it has several
benefits: it is fun, it is exercise, and it is wonderful for self health.
It’s not the make and model… it’s
the MPG
When choosing a car, pick the most fuel-efficient
car on the market or better still, choose a hybrid or an electric car.
Luxury cars and SUV’s typically get less MPG than a small car.
Opt for a small car that consumes less fuel and is easier on the roadways.
To be cool or not to be… the woeful air conditioner
The vast majority of modern cars share a common
standard option: air conditioning. Please use it wisely. At high speeds,
such as those traveled on the interstate, open windows create drag
and lower your mileage. When traveling in the fast pace of the interstate,
roll the windows up and use the air with the re-circulation setting.
For those trips around town, roll down your windows and catch a cool
breeze.
Planes, trains, and automobiles
Take the train instead of a plane when practical,
especially on vacations. Avoid driving cars over long distances. Trains
are safer, more fun, and are the greenest long-distance transportation
mode.
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Green Tips for Construction
Construction goes Green
If you are planning to buy or build a house,
look for the greenest options: eco-friendly construction materials.
Insulate
Proper insulation includes making sure that
ducts, attics, crawlspaces, exterior walls, and garages are properly
insulated and that weather-stripping around windows and doors is
properly installed for a better seal. Proper insulation reduces energy
costs, maintains a comfortable temperature, and helps to lower the
demands on a heating and cooling system.
Consider a Solar Water Heater
When the time comes to replace your water heater,
consider installing a solar hot water heater. Currently the cost of
a solar water heater is about $8,500 for a family of four; however,
but (in the US) with federal and state tax credits you can cut that
cost almost in half. After about five years you are making hot water
for free. In addition, you are reducing your carbon foot print by choosing
a renewable energy source.
Power goes Green
Many utility companies are now offering renewable
energy products that can be purchased as a percent of total energy
use or in blocks of kilowatts. By purchasing renewable energy certificates
(often called “green tags”, “tradable renewable credits”, “TRCs” or “RECs”)
you are essentially paying to put more green electricity into the electrical
grid. The revenue from the RECs helps to promote further research and
development into green energy and helps to keep current green energy
sources available.
Buy Water Efficient Showerheads and Aerators
On the market today there are many low-flow
shower heads and faucet aerators that are built to conserve water.
They are inexpensive and simple to install, and can reduce your home
water consumption as much as 50%.
Disposing of Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste can be found in nearly every
household. Hazardous waste can range from old paint cans to used motor
oil, and from unused pesticides to weed killers. If these items are
not properly disposed they can end up polluting the water supply and
the land.
Call your city or county government to find
out the proper way to dispose of such trash in your area. Many areas
offer scheduled picks and special drop-off sites.
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Green Tips for a Greener Tomorrow
Have a green talk with your family and friends
We are all vested in the environment, so take
the opportunity to educate your family and friends about green ways —
there is a good chance that you know more about the environment than
they do. Don’t be afraid to share with them the information you've
learned through CCNH. If you share your concerns with them, they will
become concerned, too. 
Contribute To A Good Cause
Contributing to good cause does not need to
translate into money, it can translate into time. Look for a local “Green” group
(i.e. an organic farm, an environmental group…) and see how you
can get involved. Just volunteering for just a few hours can make a
worthwhile contribution to the environment.
Support Green Companies
Many companies are turning green and are now
advertising on TV and in print about the eco-friendly changes that
they are instituting. Some are changing the way they do business, their
products & packaging, and others are instituting internal eco-friendly
changes such as encouraging their employees to carpool or to recycle.
Still others are contributing to a green tomorrow through the support
of green eco-friendly organizations. These companies deserve all
of our support and business! Whenever you have a choice, choose green.
Join An Environmental Group
Look for an environmental group that focuses
on your interest and get involved. There are hundreds of good organizations
around the country that are doing great things, making a change for
a better greener tomorrow. Get involved and become part of the change.
Elect “Green” Candidates
Take an environmental interest in a political
candidate, find out about their position on the environment. Try to
find out about specific issues that relate to situations in your community,
i.e. do they support a mandatory recycling program or whether they
plan to get tough on polluting companies. If you can easily find out
their views on these issues, ask. Write letters, make phone calls… these
are the people shaping our government and our policies; take an active
interest in them and our environment.
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