Turn off the lights and other electronics when not in use! TV sets actually release a lot of CO2 into the atmostphere...
Take the extra 5 minutes to think about the trip you're about to make. Are there errands you can run along the same route? Are there places you can visit another day? Could you carpool with a friend going the same direction?
Consider alternatives to every action during your daily activities and take the route that is most environmentally friendly that doesn't inconvenience you.
Eat less meat. The 11 billion cattle and pigs raised in the US each year create more green house gases, such as methane, then all the cars and factories in the country combined.
start by changing one's attitudes
and then learn about and take the small measures that make small but important differences
in time a new set of behaviors/habits will set in which will be more carbon friendly while a new generation of technology/products are introduced.
I think the most important step is any step a person is willing to take. We can all talk the talk about being green, but some of the most significant changes call for changes to a person's lifestyle. The question then becomes how much is a person willing to change or sacrifice in the name of the greater good.
The best way is to think about the small ways or things we can do ourselves--recycle what we can, reuse or buy things we need from garage sales and thrift stores. Going to and from work as a way to reduce our carbon footprint can be a more difficult thing for people to do.
Yes, start small, right where you are, right where you can make changes.
Walk or ride a bike for short errands instead of always plopping into the car.
Use mass transit.
Use canvas bags (some of mine are 12 years old--thank you L.L. Bean!) instead of plastic or paper bags at the grocery store.
Support/buy produce from a local CSA.
Reuse glass jars for food storage, instead of buying plastic.
Compost.
Hang laundry out to dry, or use a drying rack inside.
Reduce general consumption (amount of food, household goods, clothing).
Maybe, also, we should hold ourselves accountable as members of a community, not lone individuals fighting for singular, selfish interests. It's a lesson I need to keep learning.
I like what miro just said about changing your attitude. That's really important. For specific things, reducing one's gasoline consumption, however you do it, is near the top of the list. Another, longer-term, item is to start researching the replacement of your gas or oil heating with solar heating. Solar panel costs are coming down but even more importantly, the cost of natural gas (which most of us use for heating) is going to skyrocket in a few years (based on what I've been reading).
21 Total
December 27, 2007 at 11:40am by Kevin Ohannessian
It is general home practices -- use CFLs, recycle, don't use bottled water, and buy products from companies that use recycled material.
--
Kevin H. Ohannessian
Associate Editor,
FastCompany.com
December 27, 2007 at 1:56pm by Gloria Sin
Turn off the lights and other electronics when not in use! TV sets actually release a lot of CO2 into the atmostphere...
Take the extra 5 minutes to think about the trip you're about to make. Are there errands you can run along the same route? Are there places you can visit another day? Could you carpool with a friend going the same direction?
January 7, 2008 at 7:40pm by Ed George
Stop driving cars
January 8, 2008 at 8:58pm by Paul Maiorana
They should wear smaller carbon boots (zing!)
January 10, 2008 at 9:09pm by Andy Thompson
Consider alternatives to every action during your daily activities and take the route that is most environmentally friendly that doesn't inconvenience you.
January 10, 2008 at 9:53pm by Seth Kravitz
Eat less meat. The 11 billion cattle and pigs raised in the US each year create more green house gases, such as methane, then all the cars and factories in the country combined.
January 11, 2008 at 3:26am by Karl Dahlquist
Stop chasing Britney Spears around Los Angeles, or patronizing the websites that do
January 11, 2008 at 8:50am by miro slodki
start by changing one's attitudes
and then learn about and take the small measures that make small but important differences
in time a new set of behaviors/habits will set in which will be more carbon friendly while a new generation of technology/products are introduced.
Miro
January 11, 2008 at 11:33am by Sherri L. Smith
I think the most important step is any step a person is willing to take. We can all talk the talk about being green, but some of the most significant changes call for changes to a person's lifestyle. The question then becomes how much is a person willing to change or sacrifice in the name of the greater good.
January 11, 2008 at 12:14pm by Lynne d Johnson
I guess I could drive a scooter instead of a car. I've been dying for a Vespa anyway.
January 11, 2008 at 12:34pm by Tim Tymchyshyn
make Al Gore do web casts instead of him flying and us driving to see him
the next biggest is learn how to support local businesses instead of saving that so called buck online
January 11, 2008 at 1:01pm by Jonathan Cloud
Get your company, your community, and your family to embrace sustainability by adopting renewable energy and reducing waste.
January 11, 2008 at 4:26pm by James Overton
The first step.
January 20, 2008 at 4:38pm by Roberto Lim
Live close to your workplace or even work at home
January 21, 2008 at 10:05pm by Bruce Dielissen
The first one!
January 24, 2008 at 11:25am by Monica Holmes
The best way is to think about the small ways or things we can do ourselves--recycle what we can, reuse or buy things we need from garage sales and thrift stores. Going to and from work as a way to reduce our carbon footprint can be a more difficult thing for people to do.
January 31, 2008 at 4:33pm by Mary Henton
Yes, start small, right where you are, right where you can make changes.
Walk or ride a bike for short errands instead of always plopping into the car.
Use mass transit.
Use canvas bags (some of mine are 12 years old--thank you L.L. Bean!) instead of plastic or paper bags at the grocery store.
Support/buy produce from a local CSA.
Reuse glass jars for food storage, instead of buying plastic.
Compost.
Hang laundry out to dry, or use a drying rack inside.
Reduce general consumption (amount of food, household goods, clothing).
Maybe, also, we should hold ourselves accountable as members of a community, not lone individuals fighting for singular, selfish interests. It's a lesson I need to keep learning.
February 9, 2008 at 7:52pm by Bob Uva
I like what miro just said about changing your attitude. That's really important. For specific things, reducing one's gasoline consumption, however you do it, is near the top of the list. Another, longer-term, item is to start researching the replacement of your gas or oil heating with solar heating. Solar panel costs are coming down but even more importantly, the cost of natural gas (which most of us use for heating) is going to skyrocket in a few years (based on what I've been reading).
February 11, 2008 at 2:50pm by Michael Bell
Stop buying bottled water and start drinking from the Tap!
February 19, 2008 at 10:56am by Robert Bass
Eat Local!
February 21, 2008 at 12:45am by David Sherwin
Not have children.
People seem to forget that the legacy you leave is a lingering footprint as well.