Make every day Earth Day

Anita Weier  —  4/22/2008 1:25 pm

It's easy to pay attention to the environment on Earth Day, but how about all those days before and after April 22?

How can you reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases from fossil fuels and limit waste that clogs the planet? How can you save our precious water?

Clean Wisconsin, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and others have made many sensible suggestions, and though some seem obvious, it's pretty easy not to think of them on an everyday basis.

A few of those ideas follow:

• Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs to save electricity and lower utility bills.

Everybody knows about this one, but how many actually spend the money and take the time to do the replacements? Or, being a thrifty Wisconsinite, do you want to use all your incandescent light bulbs first?

Remember that energy-efficient bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than a standard light bulb and last longer.

• Recycle aluminum cans, bottles, cardboard and newspaper. Buy products packaged in reusable or recyclable containers. And take reusable bags to the supermarket.

Plastic bags are made from petroleum, decompose slowly and pollute forests, lakes, rivers and oceans. Taking a paper, canvas or cotton bag to the market helps save the environment. Depending on the store, you may even get a small discount for doing so.

• Visit the farmers' markets. There's one in the Madison area almost every day of the week, and using them reduces the distance that food travels, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
• Ride a bike. You save gasoline while getting exercise. Or if it's not practical or possible to go to work that way, how about taking the bus? Car pooling is another option.

Leaving your car at home twice a week can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 1,500 pounds per year, according to the EPA.

Don't let your vehicle's engine idle, to reduce harmful exhaust pollution, and keep your vehicle tuned up.

• Install a low-flow shower head or other water-efficient fixtures. Take a shower instead of a bath to save water. Fix leaky faucets. Fill the dishwasher full.

Water your lawn slowly, deeply and not too often, preferably once a week. Water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to prevent excess evaporation.

• Buy EnergyStar appliances that use less energy.

Also, unplug small electronics when they're not in use, and let your computer and monitor sleep when you're away from home. And recycle that computer instead of sending it to a landfill.

• Plant a tree. It's restful to look at and it absorbs carbon dioxide.

Additionally, leafy shade trees can lower the temperature in your house and evergreens can provide a wind break in winter.

• Let grass clippings stay on the lawn instead of bagging, so they return to the soil naturally. Compost kitchen wastes if you can.

"If everyone makes a small change, it will have a massive impact," says Mark Redsten, executive director of Clean Wisconsin.

Anita Weier  —  4/22/2008 1:25 pm