On average, every American is responsible for about 22 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. (You can calculate your carbon footprint here.)
Some ways to cut down your carbon footprint:
-Replace your light bulbs with CFLs.
There are people I work with who tell me that they haven't done this yet which just blows. my. mind... Why wouldn't you replace all of your light bulbs with CFLs? They last an amazingly long time and use a fraction of the electricity that your regular light bulbs use. I don't think I even have a regular light bulb in my whole house.
-Adjust your thermostat by just a few degrees.
Again, I know a ton of people, especially here in Texas where it's super hot, who are 65 degree junkies during the summer. Really? 65 degrees? My family gets pissed at me but I am a stickler for keeping the thermostat set at 77 degrees during the summer (sometimes 80) and 65 during the winter. And I don't usually even jack with the heat or ac until the weather has really gotten severe. My AC doesn't usually even come on until June and my heat can sometimes stay off all winter if the temps don't get too crazy. Not everyone needs to be that severe, but be conscious of where your thermostat is set.
-Unplug things.
Ok, ok, ok, I am terrible about this one but I AM trying to improve. Pretty much everything in your house that is plugged in pulls electricity. It's pretty simple, when you aren't using your toaster, unplug it. After you charge your cell phone, unplug the charger. Not using your Wii? Unplug it. I used to have those six plug things that you plug into a two plug thing? Not anymore. While it's slightly inconvenient, it's saving you money and making your carbon footprint smaller.
-Buy local.
I know, easier said than done. And I really do know because I am constantly looking for ways to buy local. The reasoning behind buying local is that having your food transported for thousands of miles on trucks which of course contribute to your carbon footprint as well as your country's. But try. My brother thought I'd lost my mind when I stopped at one of our local daycare's last week because I know one of the women who work's there sells her chicken's eggs for $2 a dozen. It might cost me a little more but they are completely organic and they were only transported from her house. Check out your area for a local farmer's market too.
The problem with trying to be more Earth Friendly is that it feels like you aren't making a difference. There isn't anyone sending you a How You Are Saving The Planet statement every month. Sometimes when I am dropping off my recycling, I think I wonder how much recycling I've dropped off since I started doing all of this.... And there isn't even going to be anyone who can tell me. But what I do I know is that there are a lot of people like me out there who are doing little things and trying daily to do more. And if there are a lot of people like that, then I know we are making a difference not only by doing little things but also by setting an example for our children too.
So you may feel insignificant when you recycle your paper or turn your thermostat down, but I assure you, you aren't. Remember, we do all of this for our children. And for our children's children. Doing the little things to help keep our planet healthy will be the best gift you can give them.
Labels: Being a Chic, being a Home Owner, Being Mommy, Earth
