Did you know that there are many easy things you can do to save the environment?  By changing some of our everyday habits, we can do a ton towards serving the planet! Here are seven green tips that can make the world better and cleaner for everyone.

1. Consume Less Gas – you can walk short distances, which is good for you as well as the environment, and will also save you money. When you do need to drive , organize your trips so that you can carpool, organize your trips so there is less running around, and make fewer trips to buy essentials .

2. Save Energy to save the environment – remember to turn off the lights when you aren’t in the room. Replace non working ligh bulbs with energy efficient ones, such as compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs. These use far less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs . You can also keep your thermostat set a little cooler in the winter and only use air conditioning if it’s exceptionally hot in the summer months (fans work well the rest of the time).  A programmable thermostat can reduce the usage of  energy even more while you are not at home.

3. Conserve Water – water is our most precious and often taken for granted as a natural resource. Take shorter showers, and turn off the water while shaving . Don’t buy new bottles of water to drink every day, use a bottle you can carry with you and refill it as many times as you like using clean water.

4. Recycle Clothes and Furniture – there’s no shame in accepting used items that are clean and functional. You can find many such items in good condition online, at yard sales or in stores that specialize in pre owned merchandise . Likewise, when you are finished with something don’t simply throw it out, but give it to someone in need, donate it, or at least sell it.

5. Grocery Shop With Awareness – shop locally whenever possible. There are many farmers’ markets and community supported agriculture centers where you can buy fresh produce and fruits. Buy your meat from local organic farms rather than factories. Reducing meat consumption helps save the environment, as a large amount of energy is needed to raise livestock.

6. Clean With Non-Toxic Products – you can buy green and organic cleaning supplies rather than commercial ones, which are made from harsh chemicals. You can also make your own cleaning sprays from baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar.

7. Reduce Paper Use – do more tasks on the internet to save on paper bills and other paper clutter. Remove yourself from junk mailing lists. Bring your own re-usable shopping bags to the store so you don’t require paper or plastic bags every time you shop.

These are some examples of practical things you can do to save the environment. It mainly takes attention of how the little things you do add up!