IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCEUse alternative transportation when possible.• Bike, use public transit, carpool to work • If you must drive, go slower with proper tire inflation. It saves both fuel and tires, and lowers emissions. It also saves lives.Conserve Water.• Don't let faucets run. Never water your lawn at midday. Place a brick in old toilets. • Take low flow short showers. Run the dishwasher only when it is full. • Let grass grow longer. Plant native or drought-tolerant garden plants.Quit Smoking.• Second-hand smoke is a major indoor air pollutant and health hazard. When you quit, both you and your family will lead longer and healthier lives.Don't use pesticides/herbicides on your lawn.• Along with nitrogen fertilizer runoff, these are major water pollutants.Keep your cat indoors.• Domestic cats kill over one billion small birds and animals every year (1 outdoor cat averages 40 kills per year).Eat less meat/eat more local and organic foods.• Feedlots are a major source of organic pollution. • Tropical forests are cut to raise beef.Lower your thermostat in the winter. Raise it in the summer.• Wearing a sweater in the winter and short sleeves in the summer saves energy and reduces pollution.Dispose of old paint, chemicals, and oil properly.• Don't put batteries, antifreeze, paint, motor oil, or chemicals in the trash.Consider the environmental costs of major decisions and purchases.• When relocating or changing jobs try to live close to work. • Compare efficiency when purchasing new cars or appliances. • Buy fewer things. Choose products with lower energy inputs.Volunteer/Lobby for the environment• Work locally and globally to save natural places, reduce urban sprawl, lower pollution and prevent the destruction of wilderness areas for timber and oil.Plant a tree with a child• Take a walk in the woods, or plant trees that store CO2. • Teaching our children to love and care for the planet is the most important thing we can do to insure the future of humankind.
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