More Green Tips for Saving the Planet and Reducing Energy

Modern technology, while so utterly useful (and even necessary for most of us), is one of the reasons why the planet is in the shape it is in.

Unfortunately, for most of us, modern technology is also the main reason why the planet is in the shape that it is in and the main reason why we have greenhouse gases, the ice caps are melting and the earth's temperature is heating up.

These environmental effects on the earth are very worrying for many scientists, who are predicting even more erratic and disastrous weather patterns in the future.

Already we had the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami that wrecked devastation in the Indian Ocean, which was triggered by a massive earthquake off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. This earthquake started a series of incredibly devastating tsunamis along the east coast of most of the countries which bordered the Indian Ocean, killing more than 225,000 people in 11 countries.

We have unseasonably warmer temperatures due to climate change, a great deal due to global warming. The impacts of this are absolutely devastating. Whole species are in danger of extinction as their natural habitat is gone for good.

The King penguin, which exists in the Antarctica are in serious risk of extinction, because the ice at the Antarctica is melting at alarming rates, because temperatures have risen over 2.5 degrees Celsius in the last 50 years, which is about 4-5 times higher than the rest of the world. This also means that other native animals in the Antarctic are also at risk for extinction. This potentially can have a devastating effect on the food chain.

In order to try to reduce the potentially disastrous effects of climate change and global warming, human beings as a whole, need to do the following:

• reduce energy usage
• reduce pollution
• reuse and recycle everything
• go organic for food production and consumption
  
• stop culling so many native forests and the natural habitat of so many animal species
• reduce the reliance on petrol as an energy source
• find more viable methods of energy (such as solar or wind power)

If we human, as a whole, do not do this, then this planet may not exist for future generations.

More Green Tips for Reducing Energy and Saving the Planet

Another post with information about how to make sure your home (and your life) is greener - to save money, save energy and save the planet for everyone.


1. Clean without toxic chemicals

Most conventional cleaning products you purchase at the supermarket are full of very toxic chemicals that are not only bad for the environment when they get caught up in our waterways, but they are also extremely toxic to humans.

There are so many natural ways to clean every part of your house without having to resort to using these toxic products. This will allow you to use cleaner and greener cleaning methods that will not harm you, your pets, your children or the earth:

• Buy natural cleaning products from your local health food store - these are made without any petrochemicals, without harmful preservatives and other artificial additives (which are known irritants, especially for people with allergies, asthma and other respiratory disorders)
  
  Buy only the natural cleaning product that have a guarantee of being toxic chemical-free, not just biodegradable, as they they are not as good. These products will not only clean all the different areas of your home, but will leave it feeling fresh and clean, without the strong smells of ammonia or bleach or other strong aromas that are added to conventional cleaning products to mask the strong chemicals used.
  
  The natural cleaning products are better for you because they generally do not have the same abrasive effect on you or your home. Natural products, while they do an excellent job, because they do not use any harmful chemicals, are much gentler on you and the environment.
  
  
• To clean stainless steel pots and pans, use a little bit of bicarbonate of soda (purchased in the cooking section of supermarkets), add a little bit of vinegar and scrub. Use a little more bicarbonate of soda if the pot/pan is really hard to clean.
  
  The same method is good for cleaning the kitchen sink, if it is made from stainless steel. If it is made from a plastic, then just use the bicarbonate of soda only, as the vinegar may be too abrasive - use a softer cleaning scourer.
  
  This very simple, but effective method for cleaning, is going to make your stainless steel pots and pans looking like brand new.
  
  
• Bathtubs and bathroom sinks do really well with the bicarbonate of soda and vinegar cleaning method.
  
  Simply sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda into your bathtub or sink, all around the bottom and sides (make sure it is a little wet so that the bicarbonate sticks to it) and then start scrubbing.
  
  Once you have scrubbed it from top to bottom and the sides, simply add some vinegar and start scrubbing again.
  
  Rinse out with water from the taps.
  
  Make sure you have the doors open when you are cleaning, especially if you have been using toxic cleaners before, to get rid of any chemical odours from the previous cleaning. Also turn the fan on or have the window open too if that is the case.
  
  
• You can deodorise carpet so simply with bicarbonate of soda. Most carpet cleaning products actually have a lot of bicarbonate of soda (it is the main ingredient in these products, but they also add other unnecessary and toxic chemicals too).
  
  Simply sprinkle a little bit of bicarbonate of soda onto your carpet (do one room at a time as it is easier), enough to cover the floor, but a very light dusting.
  
  Leave it for about 2-3 hours.
  
  Then vacuum up all the bicarbonate of soda from the carpet. The effect of this is two-fold: 1) You will deodorise the carpet from any smells that may be there and 2) you also clean the carpet at the same time.
  
  
• To make a nice smelling room deodoriser:
  
  Simply add 1.5 cups of water and 1.5 cups of vinegar and 8 drops of lavender essential oil (or any other oil that you like) to an empty spray bottle.
  
  Shake it up to mix the ingredients in really well. Then spray your room when you want to make it smell nice.
  
  You can try a combination of different essential oils to suit your taste. This is a simple, cheap and non-toxic room spray.
  
  You can even spray this deodoriser into the carpet, wait a few hours for it to dry, then use the carpet.
  

2. Rework your toilet

These days, most toilets are fitted with a dual flush capability, so most toilets are now more environmentally friendly and can use less energy (and water). There are though, some things you can do to ensure your toilet saves even more water (and energy):

• Fix any leaks in your toilet - doing this can literally save hundreds of litres of water a year
• Choose a new toilet that has a high water conservation rating - this is the new rating for toilets which means that the higher the rating, the more water the toilet flush saves
• Always buy recycled toilet paper to use in the toilet

3. Walk more

There are many ways you can save your petrol and engage in some extra physical activity, just through simple ways:

• Use public transport as much as you can - this saves money, petrol and energy
• Walk to a further bus stop (or train/tram station) that you normally get, this is an excellent way to get some residual exercise in your day and also a good way to save money from shortening your trip
• Walk to the local shops when you need some simple groceries
  
• Try to form a car pool with other people you work with - this will save you all money, reduce the amount of petrol fumes (pollution) and will help the planet - the more people in the car, the more the planet (and your pocket) will thank you
• Try to ride a bike to work if you can - this is a free form of transport which also gives you a great workout
  
• If you can walk to work, then do so - what an excellent way to engage in some physical activity and save money

As you can see, there are so many ways to save the planet, which use up less energy, produce less pollution, save you more money and help your physical fitness. It's a win-win situation. So what are you waiting for?

Green Tips For Your Home - Part 3

Another post with information about how to make sure your home (and your life) is greener - to save money, save energy and save the planet for everyone.

1. Check insulation

• Ensure you have the correct insulation for your home. If you do this, you will save a lot of money and not use up so much energy cooling your home in summer or heating it in winter. Choose biodegradable wool insulation (or other natural fibres) rather than fibreglass insulation, which is not biodegradable (not good for the planet)
• Install awnings or blinds on your windows, to help cool your home in summer months - this is especially necessary for those people who live in a warmer climate or have hot summers
• Close your curtains (or blinds or other window coverings) on hot days, as this has the effect of cooling your home with no direct sunshine. Open the curtains again when the heat has cooled down
• Place draught strips around doors or windows that have gaps and are draughty in winter; this will help the rooms stay warm

2. Energy efficient lighting

• Replace regular light bulbs with the energy efficient fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which last about 10 times as long and use 75% less energy than regular light bulbs
• Use energy efficient downlights instead of the halogen lighting
• Use light fittings with only one bulb - try to avoid light fittings that have several bulbs (such as chandeliers)
• Use solar powered lights for all lighting outside your house - these are the cheapest lighting possible, as they run on solar energy
• Add skylights to dark areas, to enable less usages of lights until it is really dark

3. Reduce your rubbish

• Try to buy products that are re-usable instead of ones that are disposable - razors, cups, pens
• Re-use your food packages - glass coffee jars, jams, juice bottles - these can all be re-used again and again, as storage for your other foods (just make sure you wash the bottles and jars properly after each use)
• Buy fruit and vegetables loose, not in packets
• Recycle your rubbish properly with recycling bins your local council provides and if you do not have the right ones or need more, request them

4. Reduce energy usage

• Whenever you buy any new appliance, make you sure you buy the one that is the most energy efficient one, that uses the least amount of energy - it will cost you less to run it
• Turn off all lights whenever you leave any room
• At night (or if you are going away for any extended period of time), turn off all non-essential electrical appliances at the power point - this will save a great deal of energy and cost you less. Even when the power is off on your appliance, if it is not turned off, there is still a small amount of electricity running through
• Wash clothes in cold water, for as many types of clothes that you can wash
• Use a clothes line to dry clothes, instead of a dryer. This reduces greenhouse gases by around 3kg per load. In addition to this, dryers use a great deal of energy, which means higher electricity costs - you save money by using the clothes line instead of a dryer
• Consider using solar energy to heat or cool your home (and water). Australia and other countries offer Government rebates to consumers who install solar power to their home. The costs of installing the solar energy is paid off in the first few years and after that, the costs to you, in terms of power usage, are minimal - basically free energy from the sun
• Cover the lids on food cooking on the stove - this makes the food cook more quickly and saves energy and electricity (or gas) usage and associated costs

5. Saving water

• Install a rainwater tank in your backyard (some people may need more than one). Some Governments in Australia offer rebates to consumers who install rainwater tanks, so enquire with your local Government. The rainwater tanks come in many shapes and sizes, to suit any backyard. A rainwater tank (or more) means less water usage and less water rates
• Have short showers
• Fix any leaking taps as soon as possible - they can be a great source of water wastage
• Solar or gas hot water systems produce about 50% less greenhouse gases than electric hot water systems
• Always run your washing machine when it is full
• Forget about using a dishwasher, it is much more energy efficient to use old fashioned "elbow grease" - just wash dishes by hand
• People with two kitchen sink should fill the second one with cold water and rinse washed dishes in this sink, after they have washed it in the first sink. Once the water in the sink becomes too soapy, drain it out and refill the sink with some more cold water. This is a great saver of water, instead of letting water just run while rinsing cutlery, crockery or pots and pans
• Turn taps off when brushing your teeth. Only turn the water on to rinse your mouth of the toothpaste
• Install tap flow regulators to ensure you can limit water flow to a slower flow and save water usage. Most Australian Governments offer rebates for these devices (they also offer the rebates on energy-efficient shower heads too - enquire what products have a rebate associated with them)