Walt Disney World is a very "green" employer. Our resorts and offices are "green", and they're constantly giving us reminders to do our part. This has made me take note, and think about how what I do every day affects the environment.
If you’ve seen “An Inconvenient Truth” or read about Global Warming, you’ve probably seen or heard the term “carbon footprint”: the amount of carbon dioxide released through energy use. Here are some simple ways that you can do your part to help, and reduce your carbon footprint!
*Bring your own canvas bags to the grocery store, or at least re-use the paper ones.
*Unplug your electronics: Most electronics still use some energy even when turned off. This 'standby mode' or 'phantom load' drains up to 10 percent of electricity used in most homes. Each charger (like ipod, cell phone, laptop, camera) you have plugged in takes up about a watt a day when you're NOT using it!
*Use surge protectors to make it easier to unplug lots of things at once when you leave a room.
*Turn off your lights when they aren’t being used, even when you leave a room for a short period of time.
*Replace any incandescent light bulbs with the new energy-efficient bulbs (they looks like a swirl).
*Regulate your home temperature: Move your thermostat two degrees cooler in winter and two degrees warmer in the summer.
*Clean or replace air filters on your AC unit at least once a month.
*Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees.
*Set refrigerator temperature at 36-38 degrees and your freezer to 0-5 degrees.
*Use the microwave more. Microwaves use a lot less energy than conventional ovens and stoves.
*Wash clothes with cold water, hang dry your laundry rather than putting it in the dryer when it's warm outside. Clean the lint filter in the dryer every time.
Dry clothes on a clothes line instead of in a dryer whenever possible.
*Use dishwashers instead of washing dishes by hand. You actually use more hot water when you wash dishes by hand. Do not use the heated dry mode on your dishwasher.
*Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. You will save 25 gallons of water a month!
*Reduce water in your toilet tank. Putting a liter bottle filled with water in your toilet tank can save 300 gallons per month!
*Use a low-flow showerhead to conserve water.
*Reverse indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations.
*Buy used furniture because there is a surplus of it. It is often cheaper than new, with the exception of some antique furniture.
*Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones.
*Turn off your computer when you're not using it. Or adjust your computer's power management to reduce the amount of power it uses while idle.
*Drive less! Walk or bike for quick trips around town, or even to work if you're close enough (like me!).
*Buy LOCAL! Not only does it save the energy costs associated with shipping bulk produce, it keeps a portion of your grocery money close to where you live - so go to your local farmer’s market. You’ll be supporting local growers while enjoying fresh, seasonal produce. So look up your local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and use it - you can google "CSA" if you don't know.
Some of these tips are from
Green WikiaAlso, check out
Be Green Now
