| It is easy to become very overwhelmed with all | | | | Driving a fuel efficient car is extremely important |
| the chatter about global warming and pollution. | | | | to cut down on air pollution and save gas; |
| When it comes to saving the environment we | | | | however, this is not an option for everyone. |
| should all do our share. The solution should be to | | | | Other ways to be more fuel efficient include |
| find simple but important things that will make a | | | | walking whenever possible, car pooling, or taking |
| difference as well as making an effort to get | | | | public transportation. Even turning your car off |
| others to take part. I am offering five easy | | | | when waiting or sitting idle can be very beneficial. |
| suggestions that can make a difference: | | | | Combining errands and cutting down on driving |
| 1. Recycle | | | | time is necessary. If everyone could do their part, |
| Haven't we all heard this word, 'recycle', more | | | | a huge impact could be made on our pollution. |
| than once. But do you know the importance of | | | | 4. Chemicals |
| recycling? It is important because it reduces | | | | Industrial run-off, like pesticides and chemicals, are |
| waste we dump into our landfills, and recycling | | | | proven teratogenic and carcinogenic effectors. |
| cuts energy usage because the cost and energy | | | | Our environment is adversely effected by so |
| of making a product from scratch is much | | | | many things we have adopted in our way of life, |
| greater than making a recycled product. There | | | | such as detergents, chemicals and solvents, lead |
| are also benefits in that pollution is reduced. Most | | | | and other toxins. Educating the public about the |
| garbage services will gladly offer you recycling | | | | effects of what is dumped in our streams and in |
| information and containers to get you started and | | | | our air and environment from manufacturing and |
| also, check your local directory for a local | | | | other means, is a beginning step toward national |
| recycling center, which takes products like plastics, | | | | and world improvement. |
| aluminum and paper products too. | | | | 5. Buy Organic/Local |
| 2. Save Energy | | | | A small measure that would reduce transportation |
| All of us can do our part to save energy. A | | | | costs of produce from state to state would be |
| simple measure would be to move your | | | | to consume locally grown fruits and vegetables. |
| thermostat lower a few degrees in colder | | | | Organically grown vegetables and fruits are safer |
| months, and move it slightly higher in warmer | | | | for soil, human body, and water supply. Next time |
| months. This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions | | | | you shop look for locally grown farmer's markets |
| too. Don't forget to turn off and unplug appliances | | | | which carry health food and groceries. |
| and lighting fixtures when they are not being used | | | | If every person could find little ways like these to |
| too. This saves energy. Small, fluorescent light | | | | make a difference, our environment could be |
| bulbs cost less to burn and saves energy, more | | | | sustained. It can be exhausting to think about all |
| so than regular incandescent ones. Turning them | | | | the help our environment needs and changes that |
| off when not in use is better yet. We must all | | | | need to be made to ensure our planet is livable in |
| make the effort to save our precious resources | | | | the future. Any effort helps and combined efforts |
| and these are just a few beginning easy | | | | can make a very big difference. We should all |
| measures that will help. | | | | start making these changes now and not waiting |
| 3. Fuel Efficiency | | | | until it is too late. |