With the “green” movement catching more publicity every day, people everywhere are stepping up to do their part to save energy and reduce emissions. Articles about living a more eco-friendly life are popping up on the Internet, in magazines, and in newspapers. Despite the abundance of literature on the subject, the hype has left more than a few teens with questions about what they can do to help—many of the articles only discuss saving energy in appliances or in homes, none of which high schoolers own yet. The following are some tips on how students can do their part to stay energy smart.
Be a better driver
Aggressive driving is important in certain situations, but the majority of the time, a calmer driver results in less gas usage and fewer oil changes, according to Edmunds.com, a car-buying website.
“Most drivers agonizing over the cost of gasoline fail to realize the enormous impact their driving style has on fuel consumption,” noted Peter Valdes-Dapena in a May article for CNN.com.
Drivers can also use cruise control to save up to 14 percent on gasoline, according to the Edmunds website. Other tips include reducing the amount of time that a car idles while the engine is turned on—letting it idle over one minute can waste up to 19 percent of gasoline—as well as checking tire pressure often and performing routine maintenance checks can improve not only the amount of energy used, but the longevity of the vehicle, as well.
Support Earth-friendly labels
Ethical fashion labels like People Tree work with the International Fair Trade Association to help others. The clothing has been described as “beautiful and stylish” in reviews in Vogue and The Independent, and is worn by celebrities like Sienna Miller and Lily Cole.
According to the company website (peopletree.co.uk), “For every beautiful garment People Tree makes, there’s an equally beautiful change happening somewhere in the world.”
Companies like Happy Hippie (visit HappyHippie.com) and TreeHugger (treehugger.com) aim to educate about environmentally friendly living and contain links to several sites that sell or endorse “green” products, from clothing and jewelry to books and art.
Avoid products with excess packaging
Many items are unnecessarily packaged with excessive wrapping. Examples include several children’s toys, such as Barbie dolls, as well as household products such as Viva individually wrapped paper towels. Mail can often be packaged with materials harmful to the earth, as well, such as Styrofoam peanuts that will not decay for hundreds or thousands of years.
Writing letters to companies who wrap products excessively can make a difference. If the business is aware that customers are unhappy with their methods, they will be more likely to change the way they do things.
Close the refrigerator door
Extra seconds that the fridge door stands open wastes a lot of energy, according to Edmunds.com. By deciding what to eat before opening the door, energy as well as money is conserved.
Adopt something
Whether it is a pet or a highway, adopting is always a good idea for the environment. Organizations like Key Club have “adopted highways” to help clean up communities, but individuals can do so, as well.
Pets also need tender loving care—by donating to a shelter or adopting a dog or cat for one’s own, their lives can be changed forever. In addition, the environment will be less populated with stray animals, resulting in cleaner and healthier communities.
Reuse bags
Grocery stores like Giant Eagle offer canvas shopping bags that can be reused for years. Others, like Kroger, have bins where customers can return plastic bags to be recycled. By reusing plastic bags or using a canvas tote instead, “a lot of energy can be saved,” according to the Edmunds site.
Teens can do their part in several ways. By stepping out of the traditional realm of simply recycling, students everywhere can add to their daily routines small steps that can make a huge difference in the environment. For more information on how to help out, visit greenpeace.org or greenlivingtips.com.