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11 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Helping the environment may be easier than you think. In fact, most of these tips will not only ease the stress on Mother Earth, but will probably help save a few dollars. Here are 5 easy tips to lowering your electricity use:

  1. Unplug electronic devices when not in use: Most electronics are still using energy even when they are off, but are still plugged in. Unplugging them when not in use can lower your energy use (and bill!) by 10% per month.

  2. Replace any incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL) or Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs): Initially, fluorescent light bulbs are more expensive, but they last 8 to 15 times longer than an incandescent bulb, saving money over its lifespan.

  3. Washing and Drying Clothes: Washing your clothes with cold water will not only lower your electricity use, but even keeps your colored clothing lasting longer. Drying your clothes on a line will do the same, but if you are still using a dryer, clean the lint trap every load. Not only does this make the dryer more efficient, but you can avoid a potential fire hazard.

  4. Use a Dishwasher Rather than Cleaning Dishes by Hand: Washing dishes by hand will actually use more hot water than a contemporary dishwasher in the long run. Turning off the heated drying cycle will also help you keep a little more pocket change.

  5. Turn off Your Computer When Not in Use: Computers are one of the devices most frequently left on when not in use. If this is simply not an option for you, your computer contains settings that can lower its power use when idle.

Coupled with electricity, lowering your water use can be just as easy, good for the environment and financially rewarding. Here are some easy ways:

  1. Fix leaky faucets: Getting around to fixing those leaky pipes may seem like a hassle, but you will see immediate results on your water bill.

  2. Keep your shower to 5 minutes or under: This may seem short, but is all the time you really need. You might even get out the door a little quicker each morning.

  3. Do your Laundry in Full Loads Only: If you can wait another day or two so your washing machine is full each time, you'll save water. It will probably save time too.

  4. Reduce how often you water your lawn: Often times, lawns are over-watered. Try cutting back by a few days a week, especially around seasons of heavy rainfall. It is especially important not to water your lawn during drought conditions. A healthy watershed is more important than an emerald green lawn.

  5. Reduce or eliminate fertilizer use: Prevent toxic runoff from getting into storm drains, which will lead to our precious rivers.

  6. When using a faucet, keep the flow of water as minimal as possible: Simple things like the dishes require a much less stream of water than we actually use. It is not always necessary to have it on full blast. Don't forget to turn the water off when brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your face as well. It's very simple to do, but sometimes slips our minds.

These are merely examples of what you can do. There are hundreds of others, and you may even invent some of your own. The key concept to remember when deciding how to conserve is:

"Is this really necessary?"