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Helping Mother Nature:

Top Ten Everyday Things We Can Do To Make a Difference

by Deborah Sherrell

1. Recycle everything: newspapers, bottles and cans, aluminum foil, etc.  You can even recycle your Christmas tree!

2. Use cold water in the washer whenever possible.  It is best to wash clothes in cold or warm water, instead of hot.

3. Reduce the amount of electricity you use:  Turn off the lights, TV, or other electrical appliances when you are out of a room.  Consider going one step further and unplug appliances that are not in use.  Change your light bulbs to the compact fluorescent variety (CFL), which are more expensive upfront, but utilize one quarter of the energy and last much longer than conventional light bulbs.  Note: CFL light bulbs must be disposed of properly when finished, as they contain 5mg of mercury.

4. Don't leave water running needlessly.  Repair all leaking facets and make sure your plumbing is working efficiently.  This includes low flush toilets and water efficient shower heads.

5. Store food in re-usable containers.  In fact, try to avoid buying disposable products whenever possible.  They end up in landfills.  Select re-usable products instead.

6. Your yard: Compost your leaves and yard debris, or place them in your yard debris recycle bin.  Use mulch to conserve water in your garden.

7. Your car: Keep your car tuned up and your oil changed.  Recycle your used engine oil.  Keep your tires properly inflated.  Buy a car that is more fuel efficient and produces lower emissions.  Consider carpooling whenever possible.

8. Home or office: Print or copy on both sides of paper whenever possible.  Reuse the back of papers to write notes to yourself or others. 

9. Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to save resources too.  This is especially true when entertaining.  Have separate trash containers for refuse and recyclables, so glass bottles and aluminum cans don’t end up in the trash. 

10. MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE AND PLANT A TREE!  Did you know that we create carbon emissions through our use of electricity that has a negative impact on our climate?  We can actually help lessen that detrimental effect by simply planting a tree.  In fact, the main reason I wrote Baby Lauren and Theodore was to teach children and their parents to enjoy and respect nature and the environment.  We are never to young or old to learn this valuable lesson.

Deborah Sherrell, Author of Baby Lauren and Theodore, www.healingtreearts.com