How to Celebrate Earth Day
Simples Tips to Make Your Home Green
The environment may be on the brink of catastrophe. It is time to make personal changes to reverse the damage and ensure that our world is safe for the future generation. Here are a few earth-friendly ideas that are easy to incorporate around the house.
Change the Light Bulbs
Phase out the old yellow incandescent light bulbs, which are highly inefficient. They cost more, have shorter lives and most importantly use more power to give less light than Compact Fluorescents Lightbulbs (CFLs). CFLs might be expensive to purchase, but are definitely cheaper in the long run. They don’t need to be replaced often and they help in reducing the light bill.
Switch Off at Power Source
- A lot of power can be saved by turning off lights on the way out. Switching off appliances from the board can reduce consumption by 20%.
- Use desktop virtualization software at home to turn a single PC into two units. This increases computing efficiency since a power is wasted while a computer sits idle. Sharing PCs can reduce carbon emission.
Use Green Cleaning Products
According to planetgreen.discovery.com the indoor air is a 100 times more polluted than the outdoor air because of the toxins in cleaning products used around the house. Replace these harmful synthetic chemicals with Green cleaning products. Many cleaning agents can be made using house hold items like vinegar, lemon, bicarbonate of soda and even common salt.
Ways to Recycle
Lessons in recycling have been taught for generations. Here are a few more ideas.
- One of the best ways to recycle old clothes and furniture is to donate to charity.
- In this hi-tech world we tend to dispose off our electronics very quickly. Instead of just tossing an old cell phone or other electronic items into the bin they can be sold online or bartered.
Say No to Plastic Bags
Carrying a cloth bag for groceries could help cut down on the millions of plastic bags used every day. Many neighborhoods, villages and towns are opting to become bag free. A first step would be to avoid using plastic bags around the house. Substitute with paper bags, small reusable containers or plates. Make bags from old newspapers, a simple craft project for the kids.
Plant a Garden
As any child knows, plants take in CO2 and release oxygen, thereby purifying the air. This simple process could save us from the dire effects of global warming. A few plants around the house of a billion people will make a difference.
- Plants don’t have to consume a lot of money or time. Some hardy shrubs such as Mophead Hydrangea and Blue Mist Shrub can survive with minimal care.
- The window sill in an apartment could be the perfect place to start an herb garden. An apartment can be filled with potted plants.
- In India, basil plants are considered holy, and so are grown around the house. They have been known to de-pollute the air and have various medicinal benefits.
There is a list of simple things that each person can do to help the earth. A small gesture goes a long way. So this Earth Day, lets make a difference and go green!
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