It's easy to live "greener." Options range from the simple - changing your laundry detergent brand - to the more involved - integrating wind or solar power into your energy usage.
The Union of Concerned Scientists offers an inventory of personal actions that Americans can take to reduce their impact on the environment. These "Priority Actions for American Consumers" are listed below along with additional green tips from the Philadelphia Zoo's conservation and science department.
Want more suggestions? The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists is a valuable resource for taking conservation action.
- Choose a place to live that reduces the need to drive
- Think twice before purchasing another car
- Choose a fuel-efficient, low-polluting car
- Set concrete goals for reducing your car travel
- Whenever practical, walk, bicycle or take public transportation
- Eat less meat
- Buy certified organic produce
- Make environmentally sound choices on your consumption of seafood.
- Choose your home considering location, energy efficiency, and possible presence of radon and lead
- Reduce the environmental costs of heating and hot water
- Install efficient lighting and appliances
- Choose an electricity supplier that offers renewable energy
- Purchase recycled products
- Recycle all of your used glass bottles and jars, aluminum beverage cans and metal food cans, newspapers, magazines, junk mail, telephone books, paper bags and products, and cardboard
- Reuse or recycle your cell phones
- Recycle your old computer
- Recycle printer and copier cartridges
- Recycle old electronic and electrical products
- Recycle used motor oil and oil filters