Is there a way to be good to the environment on a budget?

Question

Is it affordable to be environmentally conscience? How can this be done?

I meant to say "conscious" not "conscience"; sorry for any confusion on my part!

Answer 1

... the best we can do as individuals is be more responsible ,in our own neck of the woods

organise well publicized clean up parties ,talk on the radio
have citizan meetings
get the shools involved to plant trees and listen to environmental awareness talks,

that is what we do in Mexico

POSITIVE ACTIONS
print Tshirts with slogans ,hang posters all over the place (with recycled paper if possible)

classify trash take out all the organic waste and make compost with it ,the worst you can do is throw it with the trash

70% of contamination is due to organic waste that is mixed in with the garbage .
and it is just as bad in the sewer where it helps to breed rats and in the landfill it poisons the ground

and it is the easiest to take care of
o first of all we have to clasify trash at least keep the organic to one side ,like in a plasic bin with a lid

if you got a few meters of ground ,you only need 1 or 2 square meters in a shallow hole ,in the shade ,that you can wet now and again ,where you dump everything that is organic ,from toilet paper,bones vegetable cuttings ,eggshells,,dead bodies ,excrement ,and cover regularly with leaves to keep humid and to hide any smell
the worms will come and decompose the wastes truning it into beautifull blck soil for the garden of flower pots .

if you are in a apartment ,if you have a balcony get a big plastic bin drill some holes in the side and lid ,

and add a few buckets of sand now and again to put over the trash ,you should realt stir or move the stuff at times to airate it and ensure that the decomposition is overall ,keep moist

this rubbish does not get big very fast and the thing works for a long time with out getting full

got a compost heap in the garden for 6 years ,have added tons of banana poles ,and palm leaves at times tree trunks ,the mountain goes up and down and never seems to get any bigger ,the stuff rots and becomes a very fine black compost of high density

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global warming cannot be stopped but we can stop helping it becoming faster,and being friendlier to out Environment cannot be bad

if you do any cleaning up leave signs behind saying who cleaned,why and ask people not to start dumping rubbish again ,leave a hole or bins ,in case people come with trash ,

we have done a lot of comunity cleaning and if you dont leave alternatives or try to work on peoples guilt feelings (some people actually have those ,but not many)
than your efforts are a waste of time.

these are Al gores sites
http://events.stepitup2007.org/............
http://www.stepitup2007.org/

http://events.stepitup2007.org/............


if you want to help the planet ,plant a tree every week ,if everyone on the planet did we we would be able to slowdown the destructive processes

reduce carbon emisions,and they are already working on that by alternative forms of energy and regulations on carbon producing materials,aerosol cans,burning rubbish,industrial chimneys,powerplants etc.

the capture of carbon and the production of water and assist the aquiferous manta.

the world bank pays large subsidies for reforrestation to capture carbon and the best tree for this is the Pawlonia

Waterharvesting projects ,such as millions of small dams.to redirect over ground waterflows from the rains into the ground to supply subteranian water supplies.

the protection of existing forrests.

stop building more highways,urban planning to include vegetation stop building cities encourage people to return to the land to conduct their business from there which now has become possible thanks to the internet.

education to motivate people to auto sufficiency by building more home food gardens.

education on environmental awareness
education on family planning to curb over´population

Agricultural education and improvements to follow the principals or sustainability and soil management.

more environmental or land ,design to prevent bush fires,such as--fire breaks

,more dams.regulations and control for public behaviour

alternative effeciant public transport to discourage the use of the internal conbustion engine

recicling wastes,limit water use

here are a 100 more ways

http://www.eco-gaia.net/forum-pt/index.p...

Answer 2

The easiest thing to do on a budget is save the environment. It starts with changing the way you think.

First, lets talk about the grocery store. What kind of bags do you use? I bet you let the baggers put all your stuff into plastic don't you? You should tell them you want paper bags. Paper bags can be recycled much more efficiently. I bet you didn't know but plastic is made from petroleum (oil). An even better way to help save the environment at the grocery store is to REUSE your bags. Take the same paper bags (if you can invest in canvas bags that are usually $7 a piece those are excelent too) and bring them back to the grocery store. When they ask you "Paper or plastic?" you say "Neither, I brought my own."

Next lets talk about cleaning. How often do you reach for a paper napkin to clean up spills and messes? What do you do with that napkin when your done with it? You throw it away. Instead of using napkins use dish towels. When they get dirty you can wash them and reuse them. Mother nature will thank you for saving her forests.

The last tip I'd like to give you is about driving. If you plan out your schedule so that you do things on the way to and from work then you'll use less gas. You won't have to make seperate trips for everything your heart desires. This not only will save you time but money and precious non-renewable oil as well.

All the tips cost little or nothing at all so they are perfect for helping out mother nature when your on a budget!

Answer 3

There are definitely ways to be green on a budget. Reuse the plastic bags you get from the store, instead of buying bags. If you have a garden, make your own compost. Turn your thermostat down a degree or two in winter, up in summer. Turn off lights when leaving a room. Don't run dishwasher or washing machine half full. Use baking soda for cleaning kitchen and bathroom instead of chemicals.

These are all ways that will actually save you money. There are many more. You can also go to www.freecycle.org to exchange unwanted items with someone who may want them, or find something you want that someone else has. This is a good way to keep items out of landfills.

Answer 4

Of course. It's the little things that add up. Be sure to recycle any aluminum cans that you use. Pick up litter around your home or neighborhood. Cutting your heat back just a couple of degrees in the winter, and your air conditioning in the summer, makes a big difference. Make an effort to buy gas for your vehicle only in the early mornings or late evenings, and do the same for mowing your lawn. This helps our ozone. Avoid using paper plates and cups as much as possible. Plant a new tree or two in your yard if you have the room. Remember, the little inexpensive things add up.

Answer 5

lol, what I dont get is many of the best things actually save you money on your budget.

start by using high efficiency light bulbs. Florescent is good if your on a budget, LED array bulbs are even better, although they are expensive initially they will last you forevever.
And turn off the lights when you dont need them.

Keep your car tuned up, get one that is reasonably efficient.
You can make a few modifications to any car for just a few hundred dollars that will give most cars a 7-14% efficiency increase.

If you are in a city that is relatively dry and there are water supply issues, put up a rock garden or wood chips or something of the like to save on watering, as well as polluting with your mower every week.

Those are just a few ideas that will be better and save you money both.

Answer 6

Yes, It is affordable and actually less expensive to be environmentally conscience. It will keep you physically active too, which is always a plus for ones health. Walk or ride your bike to work or the store when ever possible. Take the bus when you can or possibly car pool.
Buy food products from local growers and when shopping in stores reuse your grocery bags. Buy food from the bulk bins such as oatmeal, beans and many other dry goods and store in your own plastic reusable containers at home. Grow many of your own tomatoes and peppers, etc. even if space is limited it is amazing how much a tomato plants can produce from a patio pot. Freeze all extra vegetables for later use.
Learn to cut your familys hair yourself. This will not only save money but you can put the clippings out for the birds or add to a garden.
Recycle your own aluminum cans and turn them in yourself for cash.
Take timed showers instead of baths to save on water and energy to heat the water. Only run dishwasher when full and air dry when done. Keep your thermostate lower in the winter, dress warmer and this also will help keep humidity higher in the home too. Close drapes on cloudy winter days to hold in heat and open on sunny days to help warm the home. In the summer keep all drapes closed on sunny days. Limit use of artificial light as much as possible. "Early to bed and early to rise, will make a man healthy, wealthy and wise," still holds true.
When cooking make double batchs when ever possible so you can cut your energy use. Freeze the extra batch for later use. The fuller you keep your freezer the less energy it will take to run.
Plant trees around your home to improve air quality and provide shade and wind breaks where needed.

Check with your local library for the many books they have on back to basics living. There are recipes on how to make your own environmentally friendly insecticides, fertilizers,weed killers, etc. It is amazing how little they cost when you make them your self with no harm to the environment.

Answer 7

Take the bus, carp-pool, walk, ride your bicycle instead of driving alone to work.

Mulch yard waste and and all the peelings, old lettuce, etc from your kitchen instead of throwing it in the dumpster. You'll save landfill space and have a great fertilizer for a garden that you can grow organically. (More plants are good for the air, gardening is good nutritionally and as exercise)

Buy nylon grocery bags and you can reuse them hundreds of times before they wear out.

Turn the A/C off when you are not home and turn the thermostat up a bit higher when you are, fans will keep you cool with the A/C up higher and uses way less power. (Saves you money and burns less fossil fuels)

There are lots of ways we can be good to our planet without breaking the bank. Ironically, most of them will save money in the long run. Good luck hon.

Answer 8

Of Course!!! It actually benefits you to be conciencous of the environment. Saving energy in your home helps your pocket book and the earth! (lower your thermostat, wash laundry in cold water, switch to florescent light bulbs, hang your clothes to dry, recycle (it's free, and garbage collection is not), even electronic banking saves money! (save on stamps, paper, and envelopes) Also, try to drive as little as possible by planning out your day so you don't have to backtrack or make an extra trip to the store because you forgot the milk. Also, driving less can get you a break on your insurance, just let them know you drive less and you can get a reduction).

All the little things add up. Save some money, and save the world!

Answer 9

HERE IS A QUICK AND CHEAP IDEA...
Buy your produce from an organic farmer/grower. Possibly at a farmer's market. This is how you will save....The chemical companies don't make a sale, and produce less, there is less to truck around the country(reducing emissions). This will domino effect from the chemical manufacturer all the way to the faucet in your house. And you can build a good relationship with the grower and get good deals. I do it, and get my produce for far less than at the grocery store! I just bought dill, oregano, and parsley(a paper bag full) for $0.35!!!

Answer 10

I can tell you what I do.I don't own a car.I carpool,walk,take a bus or ride the train.I bring my own basket/bag to carry my purchases.I recycle EVERYTHING.Paper,glass,plastic,metal and refuse do not belong together.I have no air conditioner,it is a waste of electricity.Turn lights off when not in use.Unplug your computer when it is not in use.Support local farmers who grow organically.Give old clothes,shoes and toys to Red Cross.They can be used again.Clean your house with baking soda or vinegar and water.Use the cold cycle when doing laundry and only wash full loads.Hang clothes to dry.This will actually save you money.

Answer 11

Use less paper & only recyclable paper, recycle, turn off water when brushing your teeth & in between cleaning & rinsing your face,when you get into the freezer or frigde know what you want & don't leave door open while deciding or pouring drinks etc.,put thermostat at 1 temp & leave it there they say 72degrees in summer will save you 8% on your bill & millions in energy,walk when you can instead of driving,use mostly biodegradable products,plant a tree,buy green products & perserve trees go to http://www.greendimes.com/more_info ,
That's all I can think of off the top of my head that is free! Buying the green products are expensive try layaway, that's what I did.