It's Time To Give AF About The Planet.
We need to talk. It’s getting harder and harder to ignore how Global warming is impacting our planet. According to NASA , the earth is warming.
“Not only was 2016 the warmest year on record, but eight of the 12 months that make up the year — from January through September, with the exception of June — were the warmest on record for those respective months.”
The signs are everywhere - I mean it’s October and it feels like summer. So how can we start mending the relationship we have with mother earth? By developing good habits and making changes around our homes to help lessen our carbon footprint.
Iceland’s Ok Glacier Melts Away via Nasa Images of Change.
Recycle
Yes, this is the first point because we can all do better when it comes to recycling. Recycling can help reduce water and air pollution, conserve natural resources and energy, and reduce greenhouse gases - according to Stanford.
And with recycling, there is a perfect place to start - the grocery bag treasure in your cabinet. I know this a tradition in black households, but it’s time to recycle them. The earth is begging us. Plus, once you can recycle these bags, you can pick out reusable bags that fit your style and are more durable to shop with.
If you’re looking for a recycling center near you, use this link here to find out where you can drop off your bottles, plastic bags, aluminum cans, and cardboard boxes.
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers Flood via Nasa Images of Change.
Switch Your Light Bulbs Out
When it comes to wash day, it takes NO time for shower time to be extended an extra 20-30 minutes. But, this also causes you to use more water than needed. According to the EPA, “Showering is one of the leading ways we use water in the home, accounting for nearly 17 percent of residential indoor water use—for the average family, that adds up to nearly 40 gallons per day. That’s nearly 1.2 trillion gallons of water used in the United States annually just for showering, or enough to supply the water needs of New York and New Jersey for a year!”
With that being said, switching your shower head can help reduce the amount of water you use and save you some money on your water bill.
Read Bustle’s “The 3 Best Water Saving Shower Heads” now to start looking for your new shower head!
Chile’s Lake Aculeo Dries Up via Nasa Images of Change.
Turn Off The Lights
We all have those days where we leave lights on in the house - I mean who doesn’t love a good lamp that runs all day. But, our planet is begging you to turn that light off. A general rule is to turn off the lights in the room if you’re going to be gone for more than 15 minutes. Plus, we could all use a lower electric bills. Like Ari Lennox said in her song Apartment, “No longer afraid of the dark 'cause that light bill changed my heart”
Vavilov Ice Cap Glacier Accelerates via Nasa Images of Change.
Stock Up On Reusable Products
We can be more wasteful than we realize. Americans toss up to 4.4 pounds of trash every day. “but with 323.7 million people living in the United States, that is roughly 728,000 tons of daily garbage – enough to fill 63,000 garbage trucks.” - according to Save on Energy.
So how can we help? By using more reusable items. When we purchase metal straws, reusable plastic sandwich bags, or even a water bottle we help lessen our trash.
Here are some reusable items you can on amazon!
Woolsey Fire, Southern California via Nasa Images of Change.
Wash Your Clothes In Cold Water
“An estimated 75 to 90 percent of all the energy your washer uses goes to warming up the water, so switching to colder water can lower your gas or electric bill.” - According to GE Appliances.
Read more about the many benefits of washing your clothes in cold water can have here.
Flooding in Iowa via via Nasa Images of Change.
Although simple switches, we are moving toward awareness to do a better job of protecting our mother earth. It's time to get our friends involved and do the work to help our mother earth! She's all we got.
What are some tips or tricks you have for saving energy and lessening your carbon footprint?
Warmly,
