What changes have you made to help save the earth?

Question

Those are all great tips.

What I have done so far:
1. Replaced old appliances with new more efficient fridge, stove, dishwasher.
2. Replaced top-load washer with energy star front load. New dryer. Hang clothes out to dry in summer. Will do loads every other week now that we have a huge washer/dryer.
3. Replaced all light bulbs with compact florescent.
4. Recycle paper, plastic, metal.
5. Will walk or bike to work when it gets nice out.
6. Turn off and unplug things not in use.
7. In winter, put plastic on windows. Spray insulation around our bathroom window and bath vent.
8. Turn the thermostat down when we are at work in the winter.
9. Got a new LCD energy efficient TV to replace our old CRT.

Some changes I'd like to make:
1. Buy reusable cloth grocery bags.
2. Switch to environmentally friendly cleaning products.
3. Put more insulation in our attic for those cool winters.
4. Get an EnerGuide check for our house so we can fix what we aren't aware of.

I am young, in my 20's. It cost a lot up front, but we should save a lot during the lifetime of our new purchases which should last 10 - 20 yrs. Our appliances were electricity hogs, very old, they came with our house. We replaced them when they broke. We sold the appliances that were still functioning. Our new fridge will cost $45/yr to run, our new washer takes 166kwh per YEAR vs 110kwh/MONTH for our old one. Will save a ton of water with new washer too.

Answer 1

A lot of simple things can be done/we did them.
1. changed our lightbulbs-to new more efficient
2. Recycle 90 pct of our waste (plastics/coke cans/newspapers/etc.
3. Turn electrical usage items off when leave the house or when not in immediate use.
4. Consolidate trips to store/drugs/etc.
5. Use best car mileage auto for short trips when possible
6. Change oil in your car (most can be changed every 5000 miles instead of 3000)
A few of my favorite things. Try it--

Answer 2

We don't need to buy so much new stuff. If we maintain and repair items to make them last longer, rather than rushing to get the latest models, manufacturing and waste would be massively reduced. This will have a huge beneficial effect on our planet's health, and our personal finances! Extravagant materialistic lifestyles are inappropriate and show off only a lack of intelligence at the present time. We don't have to rough it, just curb our crazy consumerism a bit. Products should be fixable not disposable. We, the buyers, should demand it, right now.

Answer 3

In the yard, I use mostly regionally native plants, which use less water and provide habitat for species that flourish in this area. This includes host species for butterflies; last year the mourning cloak practically defoliated the willow, but it was educational to watch!

I also recycle, compost, and when we mow the small lawn area we use a self-mulching mower so there's no need to fertilize. We've planted 4 trees.

Inside we are swapping out light bulbs, turning off lights when not in use, not letting the water run when we brush teetch or shave, etc.

Cars: We drive vehicles with above-average milage and try to consolidate shopping trips by planning ahead. For short trips and exercise we bicycle.

We are always trying to implement more ways to reduce our ecological footprint. For instance we are trying to buy produce grown locally, and when we make purchases are trying to buy products made in Northern America when available.

Answer 4

I never litter and haven't littered for most of my life! I do not pee in lakes and rivers nor do I dispose of my trash in them!

I recycle, I try not to use aerosols, I don't throw things away which need to be dispensed of properly ( battery ). I drive a car which utilizes less gasoline.

Answer 5

no more spray deodorant
no more aerosol hairspray
changed to energy efficient light bulbs and a water heater
use recycled mulch and fertilizer

Answer 6

I do not make changes to save the Earth. I make changes to save myself money. I use compact fluorescent lights and drive a small car to work to save money. And I have not put solar panels on my roof because it would not save money.

Answer 7

Changed to fluorescent light bulbs.

Answer 8

I had invented and patented last year my ENVIROTEK (SFVR) Super Device. An Anti-Pollution, Fuel Saver-Engine Preserver device for all kinds of cars, gasoline-fed or diesel-fed combustion engines. (www.MyMplus.com/pcundag)

Answer 9

How much has this cost U?? U should of saved it for your retirement.

Answer 10

i switched to fluorescent lights.