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GREEN 101

10 Simple Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Footprint on the Environment

“We are passionate about changing people’s perceptions about being green. One person can make a difference.”
--Jennifer Jordan

1. Replace three (3) frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs—reduce your carbon footprint by 450 pounds a year.
2. Car pool, use public transportation or drive a fuel efficient car—reduce your carbon footprint by 1 pound for every mile you do not drive.
3. Keep your tires properly inflated and get better gas mileage—reduce your carbon footprint another 20 pounds for each gallon of gas saved.
4. Run your dishwasher only when it’s full.
5. Use cold water to wash your clothes—reduce your carbon footprint by 500 pounds each year.
6. Move your thermostat down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in the summer—reduce your carbon footprint by 2,000 pounds.
7. Use a low-flow showerhead because less water means less energy to heat the water—reduce your carbon footprint 350 pounds a year.
8. Take shorter showers because showers account for 2/3 of all water heating costs.
9. Buy products with less packaging and recycle paper, plastic and glass—reduce your garbage by 10% and you’ll reduce your carbon footprint by 1,200 pounds a year.
10. Turn off what you’re not using and even unplug electronics you’re not using—reduce carbon footprint by thousands of pounds a year.

--Source: www.earthday.net

Why “Fresh & Green” - A Look at Man’s Giant Footprint on the Environment

“We believe we still have a chance to ban together and work on making a better future for all generations.”
--Sasha Windes

• Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, carbon dioxide (a green house gas linked to climate change) in the atmosphere has increased by 35%. www.earthday.net
• The United States is five percent of the world’s population but uses 25% of its natural resources. Environmental Protection Agency
• Homeowners use up to 10 times more toxic chemicals per acre than farmers. www.thinkquest.org
• By 2030 the number of automobiles in the world will increase by 50%. www.earthday.net
• Much of the United States has already warmed as much as four degrees. www.earthday.net
• Agriculture and biodiversity are already being impacted by global warming. 10% of all known plant species are under threat of extinction. www.earthday.net
• People living in cities such as Atlanta, Baltimore and Cincinnati could by mid-century see a 60% increase in the number of high smog level days. www.earthday.net
• Automobiles count for almost a third of the U.S.’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – the largest source after power plants. www.earthday.net
• Americans use 50 million tons of paper annually consuming more than 850 million trees. www.earthday.net
• Americans throw away enough aluminum to rebuild our entire commercial fleet of airplanes every three months. Environmental Defense Fund
• Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees; two barrels of oil (enough to run the average car for 1,260 miles); 4,100 kilowatts of energy (enough power for the average home for 6 months); 3.2 cubic yards of landfill space; and 60 pounds of air pollution. Trash to Cash