Happy Earth Day!!

source: nothingbutearth.com via pinterest

Happy Earth Day!!

Obviously today is the (United States) government sanctioned day to do a solid for the environment, but there are easy things to do everyday that help out your environment.

1) Unfortunately today is a rather gloomy day outside, but if it's sunny (or even a tad gloomy but still light enough to see) leave the lights off! Why waste electricity when Mother Nature is doing all the work for you already!

2) As we get closer to summer, and move from our "brrr it's so cold outside! I can't wait till summer!" to "omg it's so freaking hot outside, where is my a/c?" think about this: how uncomfortable are you reeeaaally? I know tons of people that keep their house like the subarctic in the summer. Closed off and dreary and you practically need a coat in their big ol' chilly house. Conversely, in the winter you usually want to strip off all your clothes because you think you've suddenly entered the Sahara. I've always bitterly complained because my mom keeps our house at 70 all year round, and frequently in the summer just keeps the air off. But in the last few years (months . . .) I've realized that she has a point. Do we really need to keep the house that warm? Isn't easier (and more cost and energy efficient) to just put on a sweater? Or wrap up in a cozy blanket? Or snuggle up with somebody you care about? 

Now that it's spring/summer, throw open those windows leave your doors open (with screens to catch the bugs, let's not go nuts, here) create some cross-ventilation and enjoy the sunshine, the breeze, and the birds a-chirping!

3) Now, this is one that I've just started trying . . . and its definitely not for everyone, which is totally understandable. But . . . if it's yellow, as they say, let it mellow. Not in your company bathrooms, obviously (unless you're cool with that . . . that just goes past my level). But in the privacy of your own bathroom? Try just letting it sit for a couple rounds.The average toilet flush uses about 6 gallons of water per flush. That's quite a bit of water. (for other water conserving tips, get out our other post!)

4) Unplug your appliances when you're not using them. Unlike European houses, which have switches that turn off an entire outlet, American outlets STILL leach electricity EVEN if the appliance/gadget/whatever is not in use but plugged into the wall. This tip not only saves energy, but it saves YOU money. And we all like that. 

etc, etc. It's the easiest things that would be so simple, every day.