1. Drive less
Carpool, combine errands into one trip, walk, ride a bike, take public transportation, do whatever you can to fill up at the pump less.
2. Telecommute
Talk to your employer about working from home. You’ll use less gas and your employer will use less electricity and water.
3. Improve your home’s insulation
Consider installing radiant barrier to save on cooling and heating.
4. Adjust your thermostat
Turn it down in the winter, up in the summer and ask your employer if you can do the same at your place of work.
5. Avoid plastic and styrofoam
Choose products packaged without plastic. Recycle and re-use containers. Use reusable grocery bags.
6. Buy organic
Fertilizers and pesticides are often based on oil.
7. Buy natural fiber clothing
Synthetic fibers are made from oil derivatives.
8. Use non-disposable utensils and place settings
Pass on the plastic cutlery and use non-disposable items for take-out and picnics.
9. Fly less
10. Contact your elected officials
Vote for representatives who are dedicated to clean renewable energy. Demand that your government encourage renewable energy sources instead of subsidizing oil.
11. Use the suggestion box
Ask the businesses that you frequent to use less plastic and styrofoam.
12. No more bottled water
Stop buying bottled water. Really. Just quit – cold turkey. Right now. Stainless steel reusable bottles like Klean Kanteens are convenient, healthy and better for the environment.
13. Buy beauty products that aren’t oil based
Read labels and avoid products made with petroleum, mineral oil, fragrances and propylene glycol.
14. Choose locally produced products
The less transport the better.
15. Use passive cooling and heating
Open windows, put on a sweater, keep the blinds closed on the side of the house where the sun is shining.
A big thank you to Greenpeace for some of the above suggestions.