Greener Next Year
After Christmas is a great time to purchase energy saving LED Christmas lights. If you're planning to go to the after Christmas sales, look for gift wrap and cards made from recycled paper.
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ACT NOW! One way kids can make a difference todayDecember 22, 2011
Protect Marine Animals
Cut up plastic six-pack rings before recycling or disposing of them in the trash. Thousands of birds, fish, and other marine creatures die needlessly from entanglement in these rings. This is one of the most important way things you can do to help marine animals. December 17, 2011
Limit Waste
Our oceans are awash in trash. Do you take your lunch to work or to school? Instead of packing sandwiches, chips, and other items in plastic bags, pack food in plastic containers that you can use again and again. December 14, 2011
Take Five
The next time you go to a park take five minutes and clean up some trash that other people left behind. November 30, 2011
Unplug Your Microwave
If you don't need to use your microwave oven to tell time, why not unplug it when you aren't using it? Most microwave ovens use more energy to power the clock than to heat food. November 23, 2011
Get A Solar Dryer
If you live in a sunny place, try using a clothesline to dry your laundry. Instead of ironing, hang clothes in the bathroom while you shower. November 1, 2011
Maintain Air Temperature
Keep doors and windows closed tight. Don't let heat (in the winter) or cool air (in the summer) seep out. October 26, 2011
Buy Concentrated
Buy concentrated cleaning products and food if you can. That way, you won't be paying for water. And you won't be adding extra plastic bottles to the trash. October 25, 2011
Leaf Litter
If you must use a leaf blower, use one that's electric, not gasoline powered. Electric blowers are quieter and use less energy. Better yet, use a rake. October 13, 2011
Use A Handkerchief
Save a tree. Use a handkerchief instead of tisses when you have a runny nose. October 12, 2011
Feed The Birds
It's fun to feed ducks or other birds at the park, but don't give them bread, crackers, chips or donuts. It's best not to feed them at all, but if you want to do it just once--try scattering a handfull of birdseed, oats, or thawed frozen peas. October 5, 2011
Be Cool In The Kitchen
Open the refrigerator door less often. Think about what you want to eat and then open the door. October 4, 2011
Use Cold Water
Use cold water rather than hot water whenever possible for kitchen tasks and laundry. September 22, 2011
Unplug Your Cellphone Charger
If you keep your cellphone charger plugged in for a long time, most of the energy it uses will go to waste. Always unplug your charger when it's not being used. September 17, 2011
Keep Lights Bright
Make sure that you're getting the full benefit of the light energy you use. Wipe the dust off your lightbulbs every month. September 10, 2011
Help Save Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are home to more than one quarter of all marine life. Don't buy coral jewelry or or coral rocks for your aquarium unless there is proof they were not removed from the wild. September 8, 2011
Cut Down On Plastic Bottle Waste
Kick the bottled water habit. When you're at home, keep a pitcher of tap water in the refrigerator and pour yourself a drink when you need one. September 1, 2011
Try Not To Peek
Do you ever bake cookies or cook something in the oven? Don't open the door while the oven is in use. Or at least try to cut down on peeking to save energy. August 24, 2011
Use A Broom
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and conserve water. Sweeping instead of using water also keeps chemical fertilizers and debris from polluting the ocean and other waterways August 10, 2011
Carry A Towel
Some public restrooms have air dryers (powered by electricity) for your hands. Others provide you with paper towels. Both of these waste resources. Instead, carry a small cloth towel in your backpack to dry your hands. August 4, 2011
Use Fewer Staples
Use paper clips instead of staples. The United States could save 900 tons of steel each year if every office worker used one less staple every day. August 1, 2011
Save Water In The Shower
Take shorter showers and don’t let the water run while your shampooing or conditioning your hair or washing your body July 23, 2011
Aquarium Smarts
Never release aquarium fish into the ocean or other nearby bodies of water. Aquarium fish can cause major problems for the native species. Instead, return them to the pet store or call the Humane Society. July 16, 2011
"Egg On" Your Plants
Do you ever boil eggs? Instead of pouring the water down the drain, use it to water shrubs and bushes. Water that's been used to boil eggs is rich in calcium and is healthy for plants. July 6, 2011
Icy Treat
Put ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your potted plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow. June 29, 2011
Bottled Water
It's best not to buy bottled water. But if you already have a bottle, refill, use it, and carry it with you at all times. A plastic bottle can last a long time, and you won't waste money buying a new one each time you're thirsty. June 27, 2011
Get Real
Read Mara Rockliff's book Get Real: What Kind Of World Are You Buying? Printed on recycled paper, this amazing book is a wake-up call that shows you just where your dollars are going and what kind of impact your purchasing decisions have on the Earth. Topics covered include: fast food, T-shirts, trash, advertising, and much, much more. Get a copy for yourself and one for a friend. June 24, 2011
Help Dolphins
Eat dolphin safe tuna--tuna that isn't caught using nets that close up to form a ball. Dolphins can get caught and killed in these nets. Here's a list of brands of tuna sold in the United States that are dolphin-safe: Starkist, Chicken of the Sea, Bumblebee. June 18, 2011
Don't Buy Ivory
Don’t buy items made of ivory. Over 80% of all ivory comes from the illegal killing of elephants. June 16, 2011
Use Bar Soap
Buy plain bar soap. The plastic bottle that comes with liquid soaps is unnecessary waste. June 11, 2011
Don't Waste Food
Take smaller portions of food and go back for "seconds" if you are still hungry. Put leftover food in reusable storage containers to eat later. June 10, 2011
Unplug Appliances
If you don’t use an appliance several times a day, it’s better to unplug it. Some appliances use energy even when turned off. June 1, 2011
Buy Reusable Picnic Supplies
Make up your own "picnic basket" that includes reusable cups, plates, and silverware. Look for these items at thrift stores or garage sales. May 30, 2011
Don't Waste Water
When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your houseplants or shrubs. May 17, 2011
Another Water Saving Hint
Put plastic bottles filled with water and a few rocks (for weight) in your toilet tank to conserve water each time you flush May 14, 2011
Avoid Using The Oven
The oven uses a lot of energy, and it heats up your kitchen, requiring more cooling. Instead, use toaster ovens, crockpots, and microwaves when you can. May 11, 2011
Use Hemp Paper
Paper made from hemp uses only a quarter of the land that paper made from timber does. Learn other facts about hemp here. May 5, 2011
Save Gas
Remove extra weight from the family car (such as heavy items that might be in the trunk). The car will use less gas if it has less weight to pull. May 4, 2011
Become Energy Efficient
If you use an electric or gas heater, set the thermostat or dial lower and wear warmer clothes. If you use air-conditioning, get by with less cooling and wear cooler clothes. May 3, 2011
Save Land
Help save United States wildlands. Scroll to the bottom and click to donate. It's free! Go here. April 29, 2011
Learn About Trees
Trees make a community beautiful, and they provide homes and food for many animals. When you play around trees, don't break off limbs and don't injure the bark. To learn more about trees go here. April 27, 2011
Worms Are Wonderful!
Are there worms in your backyard? If so, don't kill them. Worms help break down dead plants and animals, making the soil rich and fertile. Learn more about worms here. April 21, 2011
Carpool With Your Friends
It's cool to carpool. And it's fun too. When you and your friends are all going to the same event, suggest that everyone ride together. April 20, 2011
Make A Costume
It's fun to make an Earth Day costume. There's just one rule. It has to be made out of recycled material. Need a suggestion? Go here. April 12, 2011
Rescue Ocean Animals
Help scientists learn more about the ocean so they can save the animals that live there. Click to donate. It's free! Go here. April 6, 2011
Read About Children Who Are Helping Others
Read about children who are helping others and get ideas about ways you can help. Go here. April 4, 2011
Learn About Spiders
Don't kill spiders. There are at least 40,000 species of spiders, and they all eat insects and help keep them under control. Learn more about spiders here. March 25, 2011
Build A Birdfeeder
Learn about the birds that are local to your area. You can make an easy bird feeder by mixing birdseed, bread crumbs, and peanut butter and smearing it on a pinecone. Then hang it from the branch of a tree. March 18, 2011
Eat Less Meat
It takes more land to feed one cow than it does to grow vegetables. Eat at least three vegetarian meals a week. It's good for you and helps the environment too. March 10, 2011
Save Energy At Home
Turn off the lights when you plan to leave a room for more than ten minutes. March 3, 2011
Substitute Cloth For Paper
Use fewer paper towels. Cut old bath towels into smaller pieces and use them to wipe up spills, etc. February 28, 2011
Help The Wolves
Wolves were once common throughout the United States, but now they are threatened. Help protect and restore their habitat Click to donate. It's free! Go here. February 24, 2011
Live In The Real World
Don’t live your life in front of a t.v. screen. Turn off the television and the computer for an entire day. Or if that's too much, trying turning off all electronic devices for just one hour. February 23, 2011
Choose Low Energy Light Bulbs
You can keep your utility bills low and help the Earth by switching to light bulbs that save energy. To learn more about efficient light bulbs go here. February 19, 2011
Save Paper
Do you have a home computer? Save trees and ink by using recycled paper. Cut down on the number of pages you print and print on both sides of each sheet. When you’re out of ink order recycled cartridges. February 18, 2011
Build A Solar Oven!
The sun is a great source of renewable energy. Here's a simple way you can use the sun's heat to cook a hot dog. 1. Cut a square hole in the top of a large pizza box. The hole should be almost as big as the top of the box. 2. Line the inside bottom of the pizza box with aluminum foil. 3. Open the lid of the pizza box and place a hot dog on top of the aluminum foil. Close the lid. 4. Cover the top of the pizza box with plastic wrap. The plastic wrap will hold the sun's heat inside of the solar oven. 5. Set the box outside in an area that's getting full sun. 6. Watch the food cook through the plastic wrap. Cooking speed will depend on the how hot it is outside. February 11, 2011
Conserve Paper
Do you really need gift wrap paper? Be creative and wrap your gifts in the Sunday funnies. Or decorate a paper bag with a rubber stamp and gold stars. If you don't get the newspaper, use an old map, magazine, coloring book pages, sheet music, or tear out the pages of an old phone book. In other words, recycle! February 3, 2011
Buy In Bulk
Buy in bulk or buy larger packages and put the amount you need for school or snacks in reusable containers. Buying in bulk is cheaper than buying individually wrapped servings and saves plastic and paper used in packaging. January 31, 2011
Start A Competition
Many classrooms already have a recycling can next to the trash can. Encourage your school to start a competition to see which class can save the most newspapers, soda cans, water bottles or any other recyclable items. January 28, 2011
Do You Live On A Farm?
Or do you know someone who does? Encourage them to keep patches of brush as wildlife habitats and to leave old trees standing, especially those with hollows suitable for nesting animals. January 27, 2011
Conserve Water and Power
Wash a full load of clothes whenever possible. The fuller your washing machine is, the less water is wasted. Keep your water heater at 120°. There’s no reason a water heater should be above this and you will save up to 15% on your utility bills. January 22, 2011
Donate Used Clothes
Donate used clothes to a thrift store. You’ll not only be helping the environment by keeping these clothes out of the landfill, but you'll be helping someone in need. January 21, 2011
Read Magazines Online
Help save a tree by reading your favorite magazine online. For example, you can read Fun For Kidz, American Girl, Weekly Reader, and Cricket. Go to National Geographic Kids here January 20, 2011
Be Creative
Is someone you know having a birthday? List three things you can make that person instead of buying. January 17, 2011
What Can I Do?
Many children's authors are concerned about preserving the Earth. Visit author Dan Gutman's site to learn more here. January 15, 2011
Think Twice...
...before throwing something out. Inspect each scrap of paper before tossing it. Can you use the back to make notes or grocery lists? Can you squeeze more toothpaste out of that tube? January 12, 2011
Go Green
Challenge your family to “go green.” Everyone can remind each other to walk, bicycle, carpool or take the bus to reduce greenhouse gases and get outdoors! January 7, 2011
Get Leaks Fixed
If you have a leaky faucet, get it fixed. In the meantime, catch the drips with a pan, bowl, or cup. Use the water for cooking, drinking, or watering a plant. One leaky faucet can waste 2,300 gallons of water a year. January 3, 2011
Check For Computer Errors
Save paper by using your spell checker. Before you print, run grammar and spell check. Once you've corrected your mistakes, preview the document (print preview) to make sure everything looks good. |
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