Greenhouse gases affect the environment in many ways now and in the future, however you don't need to completely transform your life or make major changes to reduce your greenhouse emissions.
The simple changes that you make today will help the planet stay healthy long after your kids have kids of their own. There are some very easy ways to reduce your greenhouse emissions that you can try at home, and below you will find some of them!
“What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on? – Henry David Thoreau
Recycle
Many cities and counties have recycling programs, providing small or large receptacles that you can store in your garage or shed. Though you may only have pickup once every other week, the receptacles make it easy to recycle trash that would otherwise go to the landfill such as paper and plastic.
If your area doesn’t offer the service, you can store your recycling outside and take it to a local center. Though it takes a little more time and effort on your part, it can be a healthy routine to try and even teach your kids about.
Use Less Power
Using less power is one of the best ways to reduce your gases. Do you have a tendency to leave the power on when you're not using it? You may watch television and fall asleep with the TV on or leave a hallway light on for late-night trips to the bathroom. Make sure that you turn off any type of power if you don't need it.
It's easy to flip the lights off when you leave the room. You can also use timers that automatically shut off the power at a specific point. Talk to a local electrician and request a free quote for the project.
Go Solar
If you searched online for how to reduce greenhouse gases at home, consider going solar. Installing solar panels is a very popular service because they harness the power of the sun and create power that can run anything in your home.
Some companies even offer rebates that give you money back when you hire them to install the panels. You may find that you get a tax credit the next time you file your taxes, too. Solar panels can also help you earn money back in the form of credits on your power bill for the power that you create.
Change Your Water Usage
Using too much water can also increase your gas emissions. An easy way to cut back on your home's water usage is with a timer. The timer shuts off the water at a certain point to ensure that you don't spend too much time with water flowing.
You can set up timers to work on every shower in your home as well as your faucets. Doing a water audit can also help as it shows you whether you have any leaks in your home and other ways you could be wasting water.
Eat Less Meat
Did you know that eating meat affects both the environment and greenhouse gases? Simply think about the time and gas it takes for a farmer to raise an animal and turn it into the meat you buy at the store.
Meatless Monday is a popular concept that many people use. Instead of cutting meat out of your diet, you simply decide to eat no meat one day a week.
There are tons of recipes online that show you how to make your favorite dishes without using any meat. Even carnivores will like some of the meals that help you reduce gas emissions.
Buy Used
While getting meat from the farm to the store produces a lot of gas, so do other types of products. Almost anything that you usually buy new you can buy used. This both reduces your emissions and helps you save money.
You might go with a used refrigerator or another appliance instead of buying a brand new one. Used appliances often come with a good warranty that helps you get your money back if they don't work. Don't forget to look for clothing and toys used as well as books and movies.
Use Your Car Less
One of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions is when you use your car less. This depends on where you live and what is nearby though. If you live in the country, you may find that you need to rely on your car more. Many big cities help you find anything that you need within 30 minutes or less of your home.
If you need to use a car to get around, plan to complete all of your trips at the same time. You'll use less gas when you run all of your errands on the same day than if you divided them into multiple trips. All of these tips can help you seriously cut back on your gas emissions.
Solar panels are a great way to help you save money on electricity as well as reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
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