Be an environmentally-responsible consumer or investor. When shopping for a new product, review the Climate Counts Company Scorecard, which evaluates companies based on their efforts to address and mitigate negative environmental impact.
Make your next car a hybrid. Run on a combination of electricity and gasoline, hybrids are much more efficient vehicles than conventional cars
Exercise Everyday Energy Efficiency
- Switch off and unplug appliances and electronics when you are not using them (ie. lights, cell phone chargers, computer cords, etc). Put your computer on stand-by or shut it down; contrary to popular belief, shutting down is actually good for your computer.
- Look for the Energy Star when buying new appliances, lighting, electronics, office equipment, and other products.
- Air dry rather than machine dry your clothes.
- Replace conventional incandescent light-bulbs with compact florescent bulbs (CFLs), which use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer.
- Take buses, trains, trams or the subway for short or long trips; leave your car at home. Find out about local transit in your area.
- Find out what materials can be recycled in your area by checking your state’s EPA website.
- Drink tap water rather than buying bottled water. Home filtration systems are a more efficient and economical means of addressing concerns such as taste or additives.
- Find out where your food is being produced and try to buy local produce. This cuts down on the enormous carbon emissions that result from transporting food.
