Show the earth you care by getting active. There are many ways to do so, big and small, it is all up to you. Pick your pledge and encourage others to take part or create their own!
Here are some ideas to get you thinking for your upcoming pledge…
1. Walk or bike to work or school for a month.
Challenge classmates and coworkers to join in!
2. Hang your clothes to dry this summer.
Wash them in cold water.
3. Grow your own vegetables.Make a goal this spring to grow your own tomatoes or beans or carrots. It’s easy to use a garbage can as a planter box, or build a garden patch on your front lawn. You’ll love the fresh produce in a couple months!
shutterstock.com
4. Turn off your TV.
Try to not use your TV for 6 months. Get outside or spend time with your family differently.
http://healthwise-everythinghealth.blogspot.com/2009/05/depression-and-tv-in-young-adults.html
5. Don’t buy a plastic bottled drink for 3 months.
Use a glass, stainless steel or other reusable bottles.
Fijiwater
6. During the day open your blinds for light. Turn off the light when you leave the room.Get in the habit of turning of the lights that are not in use. Change your light bulbs for the environmentally friendly type; prolonging their life, saving your money and reducing electricity consumption.
http://www.printcreate.com/8-ways-to-green-your-office/
7. Use your library.
Make a commitment to borrow books and get involved in your community this summer.
acadiau.ca
8. Have a clothing exchange with friends.
This is a great way get rid of clothes you don’t need
while receiving new recycled clothes in a super ECO way! Invite your friends over to your home for a Clothing Exchange and Recycling Party.
http://nelsonswaporamarama.wordpress.com/
9. Reduce air conditioning and heating usage.
Put on a sweater. Open a window.
http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/latest/thrifty-money-saving-tips-5-green
10. Eat local as much as possible. Buy local as much as possible.
Stay conscious of this, try it for 8 weeks.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/10_reasons_to_e.php
11. Set up carpooling with your friends or coworkers.
Make a schedule for the month, or even better, for the year! You’ll be amazed how fun the drive is together and how much money you’ll save on fuel!
http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Finance_and_Admin/transportation/carpooling/
12. Make your own clothes for a year.
We’ve all got old clothes, old cloth, old fabric piling up around the house.
Put it to use and save the earth while doing so!
Here are some links with great ideas and guides.
-http://recycledcrafts.craftgossip.com/
-http://crafts.kaboose.com/recycling-or-reusing-materials
-http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts
13. Switch to E-Bills
Pay bills online!! It is an automatic deduction to the use of paper and the gas to deliver the outgoing mail.
It will save the amount of trees used to produce paper, and your money from postage and mail delivery charges. Eg. Fido chargers $2 a month for paper invoice.
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- 14. Take advantage of an energy tax break! Use your tax refund to upgrade your home to be more energy efficient.
You can claim up to $500 in energy tax breaks for energy-saving insulation, skylights, exterior doors, and windows; up to $300 for a new heat pump or central air conditioner; and up to $2,000 for a solar water heater.
pbkuk.co.uk
15. Avoid using plastic bags and switch to reusable cloth bags. Be sure to recycle plastic bags!
Only about 3% of the 500 billion bags distributed annually are recycled. They are typically made of polyethylene and can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Consider bringing reusable bags or boxes when you go shopping.
http://thegogreenblog.com/
16. Plant native plants, trees and shrubs.
If you have enough room, plant green fence. Many shrubs grows very quickly and it absorbs more CO2 and gives us fresh oxygen!
18. Buy items that don’t have excessive packaging or have packaging that can be recycled.
For a month, try to buy items that are not wrapped in plastic.
http://1smallchangeblog.blogspot.com/
19. Use a broom instead of a gas-powered leaf blower. When you mow the lawn, leave the grass clippings spread across the grass.
Collect leaves by hand and put them in your compost.
- www.household-tips.thefuntimesguide.com
- 20. Compost!
When you choose to compost, you’ll save money by having less garbage, and you’ll have nutritious soil for your garden and plant boxes. Find out about easy compost solutions at Earth Matters. Visit www.earthmatters.ca
