Yes, another Earth Month has come, and you may be thinking about those things you haven’t yet done to make your home more sustainable, like creating an indoor garden. Okay, that's not a 'need to do'. But if you have the chops to pull it off, we're impressed! While you don't need to go THAT green, it’s commonly accepted knowledge that Climate Change is real, and that we all need to do our part to avoid a catastrophic climate future. Rather than focus on the doom and gloom of a dystopian future, lets look at what we can do today to avoid it.
If you’ve already attained the Elite Eight, congratulations! If you’re like me, … not so much. I'm still working on the indoor garden ...
Green Building Materials |
Energy-efficient Systems |
Solar Panels |
Wind Power Systems |
 Geothermal Heating and Cooling |
 Energy-Saving Appliances |
 High-Efficiency Lighting |
 Low-Pressure Water Fixtures |
For those of us still struggling to own our “green cred”, there are ways to up your game without spending a small fortune. Check out these 10 Tips to Green-ify your home this Earth Month!
1 | Embrace water conservation
Water conservation isn’t news. You’ve heard these tips before, but its Earth Month, so what better time to remind you of the things you should be doing already to conserve water?
- Switch to a low-flow showerhead
- Install low-pressure, aerated faucets
- Turn off water while brushing teeth, or while shaving
2 | Cook SMART
From your morning coffee to your after-dinner snack, you have the opportunity to prep your meals in ways that are more sustainable … and more affordable.
- Ditch the k-cups – grind your coffee beans
- Forgo the drive-thru and make your own breakfast sandwich
- Pre-make lunches for the week to save money and minimize waste
3 | Make kitcen clean-up 'Green'
- Lose the sponge if you have an energy-efficient dishwasher
- The garbage disposal is an energy hog -- compost your vegetable food waste
- Soak crusted-on food on pots and pans with a little soap and water, and add some heat
- Replace paper towels with cloth towels – you’ll be surprised at the savings!
- Use natural cleaning products
4 | Get smart with energy-efficient lighting
This one’s a no-brainer, and it’s become a super-easy way to be eco-friendly and save dollars. Replacing old lights with LED bulbs is an easy start, or if you’re ready to take the next step and install a smart lighting control system, there are several on the market to choose from.
5 | If you’ve got a little money left from your stimulus check, you may want to spend it on a smart appliance or two that makes life easier AND helps the environment:
- Smart faucets – touchless, fills containers to verbal commands
- Robot vacuum and wet mop cleaner
6 | Has your work-from-home stint ended? Take public transit to work, or drive an EV. If you DO drive ...
- Use a professional car wash service that recycles water
Okay, maybe you’re thinking “been there, done that” on these tips. Ready to go bigger? Lets go!
7 | Own a home? Plant a native garden (yes, outside) … and don’t over-water
8 | Live net-zero waste
For the uninitiated, I’m not going to pretend that going net zero waste isn’t an effort. Think of it as being akin to transitioning from a regular diet of hamburgers, cheesy fries and pizza to a balanced diet of vegetables and lean proteins like fish and chicken. It takes some getting used to. But it can be done, and it SHOULD be done because, let’s face it, we humans throw away a LOT of trash!
Some of the easier transitions to net-zero living are ditching single-use plastic water bottles for BPA-free reuseable bottles. Replacing plastic food containers with glass or metal ones is another easy net-zero solution. Willing to take to the plunge? We found some net-zero solutions.
9 | Invest in green tech
You’re spending money on being green. Why not MAKE some money at being green? Many green investors will list companies like Waste Management and TPI as good choices, but the best advice is to do your research and decide which companies feel like the best fit for you.
10 | Support the green community and sustainable initiatives
The Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan allocates $620B on transportation infrastructure, promotes electric vehicles (EV), and includes plans for an expansive national EV charging infrastructure. It also includes $650B on electric grid improvements, expanded broadband internet access, and improved water systems. Your local community also has plenty of sustainable initiatives to better the planet AND the people. Read up. Get involved.
Earth Month reminds us that living greener is an ideal, not a fixed target where you hit the bullseye and you’re done. As experience has shown since the inaugural Earth Day celebration on April 22, 1970, there will always be room for improvement on the road to sustainable living and preserving the planet.
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