By Vanessa Wu
Staff Writer
Individuals can save the environment everyday. Alongside reduce, reuse, and recycle, there are many other ways to contribute in saving the Earth.
- Save water
Turning off the water while brushing your teeth, fixing leaky faucets, and being cautious when cooking can significantly conserve water. An average person uses 100 gallons of water per day, but by becoming more aware of one’s water consumption, this number can be decreased drastically. The frequency of water shortages and droughts will also be reduced. Reducing the amount of water used helps reduce the energy spent on pumping of water which contributes to greenhouse gasses and leads to climate change.
- Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Using energy efficient light bulbs uses less energy and saves money. Instead of using incandescent light bulbs, switch to compact fluorescent (CFL) or light emitting diode (LED). Both alternatives last longer, with CFL having a 8,000-hour lifespan and LED having a 25,000-hour lifespan. Incandescent light bulbs use 90% of their power because of the heat they generate when it is on. Like saving water, energy efficient light bulbs will help climate control as carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced.
- Ditch the Plastic
Plastic contains chemicals that are dangerous to the environment and to humans. Although plastic is used everywhere, there are other alternatives. When going grocery shopping, rather than paying ten cents for a plastic bag, carry a reusable bag. Use reusable water bottles, not plastic water bottles. Think about investing in stainless straws or using paper straws when drinking boba or other beverages because over 500 million straws are used daily and ultimately hurt sea life.
- Reduce Waste
Reducing waste is definitely one of the best solutions to help save the environment; however, it is not as easy as it seems. To make less waste, start by eating fresh produce, not packaged food. A great alternative is using mason jars. It has multiple purposes and can be bought at the dollar store. Mason jars can go from the microwave, to the refrigerator, and can be used for packing lunch instead of using plastic tupperware. Using reusable bags and mason jars will let us live in a better environment.
