How to Be Green at Home

Cities such as Beijing and Shanghai in China are notorious for their polluted air. Mexico City is so polluted there is almost a mat of pollution covering the city. How can we combat this? By following ten simple steps (image attributed to UCAR).

1. Don't drive, walk, cycle or use public transport. Walking and cycling benefit you as well: you get the exercise!
2. Keep your cool on the roads! By not being a leadfoot and adopt smoother braking styles, you might even save some fuel whilst saving the environment!
3. Get your vehicle serviced frequently. This will reduce your pollution outputs whilst keeping you safe.
4. Choose your cars wisely. You could consider autogas (LPG), electric or hybrid cars. Also consider the fuel consumption. You'll be saving on fuel as well as saving the environment.
5. If you need to go a distance under 3.5km (two miles), walk or cycle instead.
6. Don't use diesel. It costs more and it contributes to air pollution.
7. Find out if your power company has a green power option. Many power companies (like this one) offer a 'green power' option, where you pay a little more to use renewable energy, rather than conventional (coal, oil, etc.) energy. Coal and oil plants are major contributors to pollution.
8. Use water-based paints. What good does this do, you might think. Well, conventional paints release harmful chemicals into the air! That's what good it does switching to water-based.
9. Don't smoke. This doesn't need an explanation, but you're getting one, anyway. You'll be healthier whilst cleaning up your immediate air space.
10. Be green in the garden. By composting and not lighting bonfires, you'll be green in your garden in no time!

1. Ask your power company whether they offer a 'green energy' option. Green energy means using renewable energy in your home for a small fee.
2. Get an energy-efficient fridge. When buying fridges, check your country's energy rating for the fridge. If you just can't bear to part with your fridge, this website has a list of ways you can be green with your existing fridge that might not have the best rating.
3. Switch to low-energy lightbulbs. They last 15 times longer than ordinary bulbs (saving you money as well as the environment).
4. Switch your appliances off, don't just leave them on standby.
5. Consider a condensing boiler, an energy-saving solution.
6. Use solar water heating, keeping electric heating just for those cloudy days.
7. Fit insulation, which will reduce the need for a heater or air-conditioner.

Get closer to nature by following these five easy steps.

1. Feed the birds, but abide by the 'do not feed the birds' signs! Try out a variety of foods.
2. Attract insects to your garden. Try rotting wood and the Mayor of London even says placing flat rocks on the ground can attract the bugs!
3. Don't use chemicals, use nature! Rather than using pesticides, plant marigolds in a vegie patch to attract ladybirds that eat pests like aphids.
4. Build a pond in your garden. It's pleasant and it also attracts all kinds of animals. It doesn't need to be big.
5. Plant trees and other plants! This goes without explanation. They provide shelter and food to the animals.

To save the quality of your city/town's water, here's what you do.

1. Smokers, please stub out your cigarettes and put them in the bin. Don't put them anywhere else. It can contaminate water supplies.
2. Put cooking oil in the bin, not down the drain. Soak and dispose!
3. Leave hot fat to harden and then put it in the bin. Don't throw it down the drain.
4. Don't litter! This goes without saying.
5. Recycle motor oil. NEVER pour it down the drain.
6. Don't flush your rubbish down the toilet. Just put it in the bin, would you?

1. Time Magazine's 51 Things We Can Do to Save the Environment
2. SEQL's 100 Ways to Save the Environment