Simple Steps To Helping the Environment
In the last several years politicians have been urging Americans to be aware of how their behaviors are destroying the environment and that little things that they do can help fix the problem. Global warming is a big problem in the environment and the fast eroding in some coastal communities is alarming. Also, with the global warming it is melting destroyingmuch of Antarctica’s glaciers resulting in increased water volume in the ocean that is now covering land at an alarming rate|frightening speed] as well. This article will teach you many ways on helping the environment such as recycling and/or reusing your carryout food containers and paper bags, replacing your light bulbs, using alternative modes of transportation and cutting back your meat consumption.
Step One: Recycle & Reuse A majority of Americans do not recycle on a weekly basis.
One reason is that itcharges more money. The average cost to having a recycling service pick up your things is only $20 for a year. In some statesareas, incentives are given to communities that participate in recycling. One example is in Terrace Park, Ohio. This small town chose to pay for recycling for the entire population of 2,000 residents. Today more than 90% of the residents recycle, up from just 30%. When you recycle all of their plastic, glass and paper items it will greatly reduce your household trash amount which will then reduce the size of garbage landfills. Another important way to reuse items is to use your own bags to gowhen shopping. Typically, when a shopper goes to the grocery store, they use four plastic sacks. If you take your own bag, it prevents four bags from gettingtossed away. Several stores have created beautiful reusable bags at a low cost to encourage this. In Europe all bags given by the market will result in a fee. This is quite effective in encouraging people to use their own bags.
Step Two: Replace your Light Bulbs
An easy energy saving solution that will help the environment in the long run is to change outall of your light bulbs in yourhouse. The new energy efficient ones are more costly, but the savings long term and benefits outweigh the initial cost.
Step Three: Alternative Modes of Transportation
If each person would choose 1 day a week to not use their car, the air quality would greatly improve and as a result it will help the ozone layers. Try to carpool with a coworker, ride your bicycle to school or walk to the store that is just blocks away instead. Also, get rid ofyour gas guzzling SUV and buy a smaller vehicle as well.
Step Four: Reduce Meat Consumption
New studies are showing the cost and energy used to provide meat to people is an expensive one that is also hurting the environment. It was discovered that if Americans eliminate 2-3 hamburgers a week it would be equal to removing all of the SUV’s from the roads in air quality and toxic gases in the environment. Not only does it help the environment, but eating a vegetarian meal here and there will help|improve] your health as well.