There are several ways that we can leave
a lighter footprint. The most important thing to remember is that
collectively we have a lot of power by voting with our wallets. Here
are a few suggestions:
Be a Carbon Conscious Consumer (C3)
C3 is a national climate campaign
sponsored by the Center for a
New American Dream that challenges individuals to establish
climate-friendly daily habits and inspire their friends to do the
same. Participants who most creatively and effectively spread the
word will win prizes.
Buy Organic
When you buy organic, you are supporting an agricultural system that
strives for a balance with nature. Look for USDA certified organic
food. Buy locally and seasonally. Consider joining a community
supported farm (CSA) in your area. Organic CSA farms protect the air
and water and the health of farm workers and consumers. Local
agriculture reduces the need to ship food thousands of miles and our
nation’s dependency on foreign oil.
And remember that organic goes beyond
just food! Look for organic flowers, fabrics, and paper too!
Buy
Recycled
Real recycling is a closed
loop. It not only involves putting used paper in the correct bins
but also requires using recycled paper to close the loop.
Unfortunately, recycled paper only represents between 7 - 9% of the
printing and writing paper market. This means that new trees are
continually being harvested to support our paper consumption habits.
Using recycled paper lessens the pressure put on natural resources
and helps to keep functioning ecosystems intact. In addition, it
helps to preserve landfills, supports recycling markets, and
bolsters the economy.
For every 40 cases (or 1 ton) of 100%
post-consumer recycled paper purchased instead of virgin fiber
paper, we save:
| Trees: |
59 |
| Water (gallons): |
10,195 |
| Energy (000 BTUs): |
13,815 |
| Solid Waste (lbs): |
1,1082 |
| Water Borne Wastes
(lbs): |
69 |
| Atmospheric
Emissions (lbs): |
2,098 |
Reuse shopping bags
Use cloth or canvas bags when you shop. They hold a lot and are
stronger than any paper or plastic bag. Stop
using plastic bags. They are made from petroleum products and are
not biodegradable. Paper bags are reusable and biodegradable, but
most are made from virgin tree fiber. For small purchases, you don't
need a bag at all!
Stop junk mail
Personal junk mail uses about 100 million U.S. trees annually.
America's daily consumption of junk mail could produce enough energy
to heat a quarter of a million homes. Not to mention $320 million in
tax dollars spent annually to dispose of junk mail. A life of junk
free mail is possible. It can be as easy as sending in a letter, a
post card, an Email, or making a phone call to the source. Be
persistent and it may take about 3 months to see results.
Simply write to:
Mail Preference Service
c/o Direct Marketing Association
PO Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512
In the letter or 3 1/2 x 5"
postcard, include the date, your name, address and signature, and
write "Please register my name with the Mail Preference
Service." (The term "Mail Preference Service" may
sound confusing, but rest assured, registration with MPS is what you
do to get you off the mailing lists.)
More of What
Matters
This is the motto of The Center
for a New American Dream. Our culture has developed
an obsession with “more.” More work. More material goods.
Bigger cars, bigger houses…bigger everything. In
today’s society, you often hear “more is better.” But more of
what? The latest gadget… or the things in life you really care
about?
What do you want more of? Time
for yourself and for others? A cleaner environment? A sense that
your voice will be heard and what you do and think is important? How
about More of What Matters?
For
more ideas
Visit The Center for a New American Dream for more
information about Turn
the Tide. Turn the Tide is an innovative program that
Americans are using to make a difference for our environment. Turn
the Tide offers nine simple actions almost anyone can take and then
instantly shows the positive impact of each reported action.
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