Prevent Their Extinction!

Here are a few ways to reduce greenhouse gases by decreasing your energy consumption.

• Use an energy-efficient washing machine and wash your clothes in warm or cold water rather than hot.
  If your water-heater is over 5 years old, cover it with an insulating jacket and heat it to a maximum of 120 °F.
• Replace your appliances with energy-efficient models. Choose a product that displays the ENERGY STAR symbol rather than a classic model.
• Decreasing the amount of garbage you generate by recycling and composting also helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
• Seal your doors and windows to prevent air leaks.
• Leave your car at home as often as possible and walk, cycle or use public transit.
• If you are planning to buy a new car, consider those that are more fuel-efficient. And always make sure that your car is in good condition and the tire pressure is appropriate.
• If you spend a few hours in the car driving to work every day, consider moving closer to your job; you’ll save a significant amount of time and money.
• Turn of the TV, radio, computer or any other device when you’re not using it. Turn off the lights when you don’t need them.
• Use programmable thermostats to save energy when you’re away from home.
• Plant trees, which turn carbon dioxide into oxygen.

Here are 10 more easy and practical tips that benefit the environment.

• Learn as much as possible about the plant and animal life around you: join an environmental group, visit parks, bird sanctuaries, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens or any other natural spot.
• If you hunt or fish, use lead-free ammunition or fishing gear to avoid poisoning any birds that may ingest these objects.
• When you travel, be “ecologically responsible”. Avoid products or activities that contribute to pollution.
• Be aware that you may need a permit to bring back certain travel souvenirs made out of plants or animals.
• Put bird feeders in your yard.
• Plant native, non-exotic plants, which were cultivated rather than taken from nature…and do not use pesticides.
• Reduce your contribution to the greenhouse effect: walk, cycle or take public transit, use an energy-efficient car and turn off your motor when parked or waiting for someone.
• Use compact florescent bulbs rather than incandescent bulbs.
• Reduce, reuse and recycle your plastic products and avoid over-packaged items. Use cloth bags to do your grocery shopping.
• Avoid wasting water: make sure your taps are well turned off.

Of course, these are just a few examples of the small actions you can take or habits you can adopt that will have a real impact on the environment. To help you make wise choices, you can also check other sources of information on the Internet. It’s up to you to take action!