![]() Insulation is measured in terms of its thermal resistance or R-value - the higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation. Also be sure your home has proper insulation. If they're old and inefficient, consider replacing them. Your home's windows are responsible for 25 to 30 percent of residential heat gain and heat loss. Make your home more energy efficient (and save money). They do cost more than CFLs and incandescents, but equivalent LED bulbs can last at least 30,000 hours compared to 1,000 hours for incandescent bulbs, or 8,000 to 10,000 hours for CFLs. Start replacing your old incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs now (if you haven't already). They emit light in a very narrow band wavelength so they're super energy-efficient. Enter light-emitting diode, or LED bulbs. They're hard to dispose of because they contain mercury. They can last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and they use at least two-thirds less energy, but even CFLS have issues. Switch to LEDsĬompact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are great. LED light bulbs can last more than 30,000 hours. Plus, compost makes a great natural fertilizer. Imagine if you could divert more of that to your own compost? It would help reduce the amount of solid waste you produce, and what eventually winds up in your local landfill. ![]() Some was recycled and some was combusted for energy, but half of it - 146 million tons (132 million metric tons) - ended up in the landfill. Only 25 million tons (23 million metric tons) of that was composted. In 2018, (the last year figures were available) Americans generated 292.4 million tons (265.3 million metric tons) of trash. And don't forget to recycle your own paper. Buy products that are made of recycled materials. When you order online, see if you can group your packages together for mailing. Contact companies that send you junk mail to get off their mailing lists. But you can also take reusable bags to the grocery, and avoid using disposable plates, spoons, glass, cups and napkins. The average American household dumps 13,000 separate pieces of paper each year, most of it junk mail and packaging. You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in the recycling bin. Even one car off on the road makes a difference. If you live in an area that's not walkable, take advantage of your local mass transit if you can. Plus you'll get some good cardio and burn some calories while you do it. Walking and biking are obvious ways to reduce greenhouse gases. You can improve your gas mileage by 0.6 percent to 3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure, and be sure to make necessary repairs if your car fails emission. But being car conscious also means maintaining your car on a regular basis. You can combine your errands - hit the school, grocery store and dog daycare in one trip. ![]() You'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds (721 kilograms) per year. If you can, stay off the road two days a week or more. You'll save a ton of cash and help reduce a ton of plastic waste in the process. Got a leaky faucet? You might be dripping as much as 90 gallons (340 liters) of water down the drain every day. Every time you turn off the water while you're brushing your teeth, you're doing something good. ![]() The little things can make a big difference. In that spirit, HowStuffWorks has come up with 10 things you can do now to help save the planet. Taking care of the Earth is not just a responsibility, it's a necessity. Countries must make drastic actions to avoid a future with irreversible damage to major ecosystems and planetary climate.īut what about individuals? What can we do to pitch in and help save the Earth? There are plenty of things you can do every day to help reduce greenhouse gases and your carbon footprint to make a less harmful impact on the environment. Weather patterns are changing and will threaten food production, and sea levels are rising and could cause catastrophic flooding across the globe. The United Nations suggests that climate change is not just the defining issue of our time, but we are also at a defining moment in history. This composite image of Earth was captured by six orbits of the NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership spacecraft on April 9, 2015, by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument.
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