| By :
Mark Etinger
These days, the environment is a hot-button topic. But no matter what your political stance is, it is always a good idea to try to improve the health of the planet and make it a more livable place for future generations. In order to do that it is crucial that individuals make a conscious effort to reduce their carbon footprints. There are big ways like installing a renewable energy system in your home or office, or eliminating bottled water from your grocery list. Shrinking your carbon footprint seems like quite a feat, but if you follow this brief how-to guide you can rest assured that you're doing your part to make the earth a better place. 1) Unplug! Unplug appliances you don't use or aren't currently using. Most electronics have a standby mode that harbors energy they're not in use. Cell phone chargers, DVD players, stereos, and laptops are all items that tend to get left in the outlet. Take a few seconds and unplug them to save energy. 2) Install! Installing a renewable energy system in your home is one of the biggest ways you can reduce your carbon footprint. Today, there are quite a few companies that offer affordable PV solar panels that can be customized to fit your home and business needs. Live off the grid and install PV solar panels or some kind of renewable energy system in your home. 3) No bottled water! If you haven't heard, there's an island of garbage that's twice the size of Texas floating somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Do your part to stop this pile from growing and quit buying bottled water. Instead of opting for that bottle of Dasani because "it tastes better", just get a reusable jug or thermos (like people have done for centuries). Fill it, carry it around with you, and fill it again when it's empty. At home, invest in a filtration system and stop using plastic cups. If you do end up using plastic bottles or jugs, as they're pretty much inevitable in the U.S., be sure to recycle them. 4) Go native! Get some plants that are native to your area and plant a little garden in your yard using organic soil as it uses fewer resources and is produced with more eco-friendly methods. Plants that are native to your area are more likely to grow better in a familiar climate. Green plants are a great way to offset carbon, so planting anything helps. 5) Use cold water! For showering, hot water is obviously a necessity. But if you're doing a load of laundry, switch the settings to cold water. It takes a ton of energy to heat water, and if it's not really necessary, you should most definitely cut back. If you can't part with your hot water, there are hot water heaters available that are powered by PV solar panels that can give you the heat you need, without the environmental impact.
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