Go green easily for Earth Day
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 8 years AGO
Forty-seven years, come Saturday. It’s not much, considering how long Earth has been around (4.5 billion years), and how long humans have been using its resources (200,000, give or take a millennium).
As we become more advanced in how we use those resources, we also create more waste. We know better, so since 1970, Earth Day serves as an annual reminder to leave a lighter footprint on this big rock we call home. Beyond installing solar panels or trading the gas guzzler for a hybrid or electric, there are simpler ways to be more Earth-conscious:
Unplug. Not using the TV or other appliance? Even when turned off, plugged-in gadgets pull a little electricity. That’s needless waste and about 1 percent of CO2 emissions we can easily eliminate.
Wash in cold. Even switching from hot (which we need less often than we think) to warm can cut energy use in half, and lowers the bill.
Clean the lint filter. Full filters make clothes dryers work harder, thus requiring more energy. Cleaning it after each load also speeds drying time and saves money.
Keep the spray bottle, buy economy size. Not only is it cheaper per ounce, but we use less plastic and other non-recycled materials with refills and fewer purchases.
Turn off the lights. Why waste energy when you’re not in the room?
And the tap. Don’t let water run when you’re not actually using it. A few extra seconds for off-and-on won’t cost you anything. Does each of us really need the 80-100 gallons of water the average American uses daily?
Recycle, reduce, reuse. I reuse big jars to keep leftovers in the freezer, or store nails in the garage. I never toss paper or plastic cups while out, but bring them home for the recycling bin. Recycling centers also provide jobs; maybe we can create more.
Thrift it. Many local thrift stores benefit worthy nonprofits and can take your usable, unwanted items. Take them there instead of the dump and reduce the average American’s 1,600 pounds of annual garbage.
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” — John Muir
- • •
Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network trying to reduce her carbon footprint. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.