Fourth post in the series: – 99 Practical Ways to Save the Planet.

To read Part One, Click here

So how do we help to save the planet and our environment! – Continued

16. Little Helpers

Put your children in charge of some of the energy saving and green tasks around the home – such as checking that lights and appliances are switched off, looking after the composting or feeding the birds – and reward them for doing well.

"Find something children enjoy and these habits are likely to last a lifetime."

17. Energy Smart Schoools

Ask the staff at your childs school to match your green efforts at home by cutting back on energy waste on campus. Some energy saving and environmental tips include; set up a community garden, vegetable patch for the children at school, turn off lights in classrooms when not in use, get rid of vending machines stocked with sugar rich canned drinks and overpackaged snacks.

Get the children and teachers involved in energy saving projects which the school as a whole can take part in.

18. Decondition Yourself

Minimize your energy dependence on energy-hungry air conditioning by tackling heat the natural way. For example; shade sunny windows with curtains or blinds, and place trees and climbing plants outside. Open windows at night to allow cross-ventilation, install a large fan in the attic, and run it in the evening only.

19. Eat Before You Shop

It’s frightening how much food the average household throws away. Studies show that we buy more food if we shop when hungry. So eat a hearty meal, and prepare a concise shopping list before frequenting the shops. Help reduce this gluttoneous and frivolous act of food waste by simply avoiding impulse shopping on an empty stomach.

20. Dishwashers are Go

Running a dishwasher can actually have less impact on the environment than doing dishes by hand if you choose a water and energy-efficient model and put it on only when there’s a full load, using a low-temperature setting and eco-friendly dishwasher powder or tablets. Also with a dishwasher, there is no need to pre-rinse items. To maintain an energy saving and environmentally friendly dishwasher ensure that the filter is regularly maintained to avoid any build up of limescale.

What are your thoughts? Do you have any suggestions or practical tips on how to save our planet?

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3 Responses to “99 Ways to ‘Save the Planet’ – Part Four”

1. Simply Stephen Says:
   December 23rd, 2008 at 5:34 pm

   Notice the parallel in the fiscal benefits! Though my motive for going green is a love for nature, reduction in massive consumption and a desire to have a healthy planet for my daughter and the world in general, it’s hard not to see the benefit to your wallet.

   Take a look at the “impulse shopping”…make your list, purchase when you are not hungry. To make that easier go to a market instead of a grocery store…there will be no marketing involved, only fresh produce.

   I’ve always thought of a dishwasher as a luxury item that consumes, but will have to look at the benefits of reduce consumption. I’ve seen some great “counter top” models that use even less and are perfect for the space conscious person.

   In Canada we had an advertising campaign in the 70’s that promoted reduced energy consumption and pollution…it was targeted at children. There are lasting effects from the campaign, but continuity is now needed globally with diverse communities living everywhere (half of our population was not born in Canada!!!). So re-educating and making sure our children are the ones doing the right things ensures a future with healthy growth.

2. Jane@kids lessons Says:
   June 16th, 2009 at 10:25 am

   Personally, I think that teaching your kids ecologic rules is one of the most important aspects of learning.The decline in quality of the global environmental is a human-caused element and it is crucial that we must instruct our future generation to preserve whatever remains for them to live in.

   Jane@kids lessons’s last blog post..PHYSICS LESSONS FOR KIDS

3. Andy Hughes Says:
   October 19th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

   We recently started to step up our efforts to be more green. We stopped using aerosols wherever possible, we recycle our food waste much more than ever, we’ve begun to turn off appliances at the switch when not in use. This is a particularly good one.

   Look at how many appliances you have that display the time and really you use it more as a clock than the appliance! We turned our microwave off and our cooker and we just switch them on again as we need them. I can already see a drop in our electricity usage.

   All of our appliances that aren’t in constant use are switched off. I can’t remember the last time I needed to switch the micro stereo on that’s in our conservatory!

   We’ve also changed over to energy bulbs, reduced the number of baths etc etc. Not only is it having a positive effect on our bills, it’s making us feel good too!

   Andy

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