These ones are from climatecrisis.net:
- Replace your incandescent bulbs with CFLs (compact fluorescent)
- Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer
- Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner regularly
- Install a programmable thermostat and program it to turn the heat down on winter nights and the A/C down on summer nights
- Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases
- Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket (except gas heaters)
- Install a low-flow showerhead
- Wash clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot
- Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible
- Turn off electric devices you're not using
- Unplug electronics from the wall when you're not using them
- Only run your dishwasher when there's a full load and use the energy saving setting
- Insulate and weatherize your home
- Recycle at home
- Buy recycled paper products
- Plant a tree
- Get a home energy audit
- Switch to green power
- Buy locally grown and produced foods
- Buy fresh foods instead of frozen
- Seek out and support local farmers markets
- Buy organic foods as much as possible
- Avoid heavily packaged products
- Eat less meat
- Reduce the number of miles you drive by walking, biking, carpooling or taking mass transit whenever possible
- Start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates
- Keep your car tuned up
- Check your tire pressure weekly
- When it's time for a new car, choose a more fuel efficient vehicle
- Try car sharing
- Try telecommuting from home
- Fly less and offset air travel
These ones are from stopglobalwarming.org:
- Change your car's air filter
- Keep your water heater thermostat no higher than 49C/120F (Greenpeace says 54F/130C - hot enough to kill bacteria and still save energy)
- Take shorter showers
- Use a push mover
- Put on a sweater (and slippers... instead of turning up the heat)
- Switch to a tankless water heater
- Bring cloth bags to the market instead of using paper or plastic
These ones are from globalwarming-facts.info:
- Move your fridge or freezer (not next to stove, near heating ducts, etc)
- Defrost old fridges and freezers regularly
- Don't let heat escape from your house over a long period
- Replace your old single-glazed windows with double-glazing
- Cover your pots while cooking
- Take a shower instead of a bath
- Compost
- Buy intelligently (e.g. a 1.5L bottle requires less energy than three 0.5L bottles)
- Buy refills when you can
- Reduce waste (e.g. take lunch in a reusable container)
- Don't leave an empty roof rack on your car
- Drive carefully and don't waste fuel (choose proper gears, don't abuse gas pedal, turn off engine when vehicle is motionless for more than 1 minute)
- Encourage your school or business to reduce emissions
- Encourage the switch to renewable energy
- Protect and conserve forest worldwide
- Consider the impact of your investments
These ones are from Greenpeace Canada:
- Fix any leaky faucets, toilets or water pipes
- Fix air leaks with weather stripping and caulking
- Avoid anything battery operated or use rechargable or solar rechargable batteries
- Use non-toxic cleaning alternatives in your home
- Furnish your home with furniture made out of natural fibres, wood, metal and glass
- Avoid the use of PVC in your home
- Avoid the use of aerosols
- Use castor or mineral oils to lubricate switches and hinges instead of lubricants containing solvents
- Choose water based latex paints over solvent based when painting your home
- Have your furnace, fireplace or gas heater serviced regularly
- Don't throw toxic household wastes (paint, paint thinner, car fluids, batteries, electronics) in the garbage or down the drain - check locally for proper disposal
- Always use reusable mugs, lunch containers, batteries, pens, razors, etc.
- Don't let the water run while doing dishes
- Buy in bulk
- Buy vegetables loose, not in plastic bags
- Choose products in refillable or reusable containers
- Use products made from recycled materials
- Use cloth instead of paper napkins
- Keep a covered container of water in the fridge (so you don't have to run the tap until the water's cold)
- Put a lid on the pan if you're boiling water
- Thaw frozen foods before cooking
- Turn down the heat after water boils (lightly boiling is same temperature as roaring boil)
- Use a toilet dam or plastic container filled with water in your toilet
- Use handkerchiefs instead of disposable tissues
- Don't leave the tap running while brushing your teeth or shaving
- Get a cloth shower curtain instead of PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
- Clean your dryer's lint trap after every load
- Go here for a list of basic ingredients for green cleaning and here for recipes for green cleaning
These tips for reducing waste and choosing environmentally friendly products come from Sarah at nomoregarbage.wordpress.com
- Use beeswax candles instead of paraffin
- Don't use bottled water, use tap water or use a filter attached to your tap
- Reuse your bath water to flush your toilet
- Close your curtains on hot days
- Plant trees for shade
- Carry a garbage free kit with you that includes: a hankie, some bags, a Tupperware container, a reusable mug in a cloth shopping bag or backpack.
General tips:
- Replace pavement/concrete with grass or other ground cover
- Consider a green roof of native plants
- Women, use reusable products
- Parents, use your green bin for disposable diapers or consider flushable or cloth diapers to reduce landfill
- Parents, use reusable baby wipes (I have separate ones for hands and bums that I carry with me in baggies)
- Only fill the kettle with as much water as you need
- Re-use your aluminum foil
- Save a tree and read your paper online