Protect the Earth. That’s a pretty big responsibility, huh?
We owe it to ourselves and the earth to be responsible when we head to the great outdoors. We are currently destroying our planet at an alarming rate. We should be working to make it a better place. To leave it for future generations to enjoy, not just our grandchildren but their grandchildren as well.
Those of us that can do something must help protect the earth. There’s a variety of different ways you can do, some being relatively cheap and others with a higher impact on your wallet. In no way should you go broke trying to do the right thing. Always look at your budget and only do what works for you and your family.
Read on for simple and fairly cheap ways to protect the earth.
One relatively cheap upgrade you can do is to switch out your lightbulbs. As your current bulbs go out, replace them with CFL bulbs. You will pay a bit more per bulb, but they will last much longer and conserve energy. Also, open your blinds and use natural light during the day and turn off lights when not in use.
If you can’t trade-in your car for a hybrid, look at your driving habits to help protect the earth. First, make sure to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. You run best when your healthy, so does your car. When driving, try to avoid hard braking and putting the pedal to the medal.
Are there ways to drive less? Maybe you can carpool with a work buddy or use public transportation for part of your commute. You can literally run errands (or walk if running isn’t your thing). Have a small package to mail out? Why not walk to the post office! Or maybe you ran out of coffee or toilet paper. Put on your tennis shoes and walk over to Target or Walmart. Maybe get yourself a bike with a basket, and you can grab a few more items on your trips to the store!
We have discovered a lot of jobs can telework quite easily. You can ask your boss if you can telework once a week. Just one day a week can make a big difference.
Do you have a Nest thermostat? No? Well, if your current system would work with a Nest, have one installed. You can save a lot on your heating and cooling by using the eco mode. Even if you don’t have a Nest, look into a programmable thermostat. You can create a schedule that adjusts the temps when you ‘re at work. If no one is home, you don’t need the house as warm (cold) as when you’re home. And with a programmable one, you never have to think about it! It’s a very simple way to protect the earth which doesn’t require a lot of thought.
Watch your plastic. Choose packaging with little to no plastic or plastic your area recycles. Reusable bags can be a great way to reduce the amount of single-use plastic bags from the grocery store. Ditch the bottled water. Get a reusable bottle and refill it throughout the day.
Pick up after yourself when you are outdoors. If you are at a park and the garbage is full or overflowing, take your garbage with you to dispose of later. It’s helpful to have a bag in your car for trash. Follow leave no trace dogma and if you pack it in, be sure to pack it out. If you are feeling especially useful, you can pick up after others as well.
There is much more you can do, but these are a good starting point. What will you do to help?
We all need the earth. It gives us the basics of life. Without it, we have no food. No water. No shelter.
Did you know when you purchase a print from my shop, 15% of the purchase price is donated to the National Park Foundation? I stand behind my commitment to the earth by giving back. Why the National Park Foundation? Because the National Park system does so much for us for a relatively low price. Shop now.