Helping the environment doesn’t have to be that hard, in fact there many small things you can do that have a big impact.

Take a look:

1. Filter your own water: Since studies show bottled water is often no better than tap water, why would you waste your money and harm the environment by buying bottled water? Fossil fuels are wasted in the unnecessary production, manufacture, and transportation of bottled water. Once in a consumer’s hand, it is estimated that more than 75 percent of these bottles end up in landfills. To ensure you are getting the best water your body needs, try filtering your own water; it is much cheaper and far healthier for you. I like sparkling water, so I’ve purchased a snazzy little device that adds CO2 to my filtered water—and voilà, I have healthier, environmentally friendlier bubbly water!
2. Replace your bulbs: Both compact fluorescent bulbs and LED bulbs use much less energy than old incandescent bulbs (and save you money). LED bulbs have a very high up-front price tag, but have a lifespan of around 20 years. Imagine replacing a bulb and then not having to do it again for two decades!
3. Plastic bags: One-use, throwaway bags are a waste of energy and resources. Choose a few strong, reusable bags and put them in your trunk. It takes only a few times having to run out to your car to get those reusable bags for you to remember them every time.
4. Eat low on food chain: Even one meatless meal a week can help to reduce your carbon footprint. It has been estimated that it requires 2,500 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef and that cows contribute greatly to the greenhouse effect by producing large amounts of methane. Choose organically grown and pasture-raised meats when you do eat beef to reduce the amount of chemicals in the environment.
5. Plant: Every time you plant something, you help the environment. Consider growing your own garden this spring! Plant some pretty potted flowers in your backyard—and don’t forget a little greenery inside your house. I try to have a plant in almost every room in my house. All this yard work is great exercise too!
6. Go paperless: Computers were supposed to usher in the era of the paperless society, but the opposite has happened. You can go paperless by paying bills online and avoiding bills sent to your house. Estimates are that paperless billing in America would save nearly 19 million trees, 2.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide, and 1.7 billion pounds of solid waste every year. You can take it a step further by cutting out junk mail. There are many services that can help you get off mailing lists, try searching the Internet for a good company.
7. Buy locally: You cannot buy everything locally, but commit to as much as you can. The local food movement is growing and farmers markets are popping up all over. Even grocery stores are getting into the act by having part of the produce section devoted to locally grown foods. The estimates on savings are hard to determine, but it makes sense that buying an apple grown in your state is much less energy intensive than having it shipped from thousands of miles away.
8. Walk/bike: Think before you get in your car. Can your errand be combined with another trip? Can you use a bike or walk instead? Try committing to using public transportation once a week or once a month. According to the EPA, leaving your car at home just two days a week can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by an average of two tons per year.
   
   
9. Take your lunch: It may not seem obvious at first why brown-bagging it helps the environment, but eating out usually means a trip in a car, the use of containers, paper products, and plastic throwaway utensils. Most restaurant food is going to be less healthy and higher in calories than what you might bring from home, so this step is good for your waistline and helping the environment.
10. Clean cleaning: Harsh chemicals in most cleaners are not good for you or the environment. Chemical cleaners have been linked with many health issues, including skin rashes and asthma flare-ups.  Do yourself and the environment a favor and drop the chemical cleaners for earth-friendly versions.

Bonus tip: My best tip? Share these tips with your family and friends. It’s amazing that some of the smallest, easiest steps like sharing a good tip or great result from a product are so easy to share and each little step leads to big changes/differences.

What do you do in your personal life to help the environment?

Be well!

Posted by Dr. Jamie McManus on Apr 8, 2014 in Green Home, Health