With all the hype about global warming, melting ice sheets, carbon footprints, and the depleting ozone layer you can't help but think about what's going on. A carbon footprint is known as the measurement of impact our daily activities have on the environment. Have you ever wondered how much of an impact you have on the world around you? Here's a list of 10 super easy ways we can all reduce our carbon footprint.
1. Unplug your cell phone charger when not charging your phone. Chargers generate about 40% of power even in standby mode.
2. Carpool, walk, or ride a bike whenever you can, it's great exercise and saves gas!!
3. Talk to your parents about using green energy. There are tons of environmentally friendly products available everywhere.
4. Turn of the tap when brushing your teeth, this will save about 8 gallons of water each time you brush. If you don't think the makes an impact, just think about the 1 billion people in the world with no access to clean water.
5. Eat green at least once a week. Buy organic and locally grown produce. This helps our local farmers and organic produce is guaranteed to be free of pesticides, harmful fertilizers, and SEWAGE sludge.
6. When you’re done using the computer turn it off. This saves tons of energy and about 90 bucks a year so ask for a raise in your allowance for being so environmentally responsible.
7. Save some money, buy a refillable water bottle. Did you know Americans throw away an average of 10 billion plastic bottles a year?!?!
8. DONATE!!! This is one of the most effective ways to recycle your old stuff AND most thrift stores donate a majority of their profits to organizations committed to helping animals, the environment, families in poverty and the homeless. Don't be afraid to check-out what they've got either; you can always find interesting things to add to your wardrobe.
9. Download (Legally!) the Latest Album from an Eco-friendly Star like John Mayer, KT Tunstall, Dave Matthews Band, and Kanye West. A number of today's hottest musicians are going green in big ways, by running tour buses on clean-burning biodiesel and recycling all their show waste. ALSO, buying music online, cuts out waste from shipping and all those CDs and cases.
10. Recycle! If your school or neighbor hood is not involved, get a group together and get involved. Fore more information on getting involved visit humaneteen.org
Use the carbon foot print calculator and find out more at meetthegreens.org .
P.S. Pass it on... It's your world, and we all need to work together to preserve it.
