» Go Green! Simple ideas for a healthy planet.
Your Office
- INTERNET BANKING- pay your bills online, saving paper and fuel!
- RECYCLED PAPER- did you know that over 40% of first world refuse is made up of office paper? Recycling your office paper can drastically decrease wastage!
- Stock your office with FAIR TRADE coffee, tea etc.
At Home
- SAVE ON PLASTIC- don't buy plastic water bottles, use good old tap water and old wine bottles to refrigerate water.
- BUY LOCAL! It's healthier, tastier and reduces your carbon footprint.
- GET RID OF DISPOSABLES! Start using cloth napkins and table clothes, think twice before you buy paper or plastic plates- food just tastes better on hand made pottery!
- BAG THE BAGS- Get yourself a colourful carrier bag to brighten up your shopping, minimising on your use of plastic and paper carrier bags.
- SAVE ON ELECTICITY- Don't leave your TV on stand by- switch it off and unplug it every night. Replace light bulbs with energy savers, switch off your geysers in the morning and only leave lights on where absolutely necessary. You will be amazed at how much you save in electricity bills!
Your Car
- SAVE ON GAS - every gallon of fuel you burn, produces 19 pounds of Carbon Dioxide!
- STICK TO THE LIMIT and reduce any unnecessary accelleration- your car will run more efficiently this way!
- PUMP YOUR TYRES- Keep them pumped to the recommended pressure- the flatter they are the more energy is needed to motor them!
On Holiday
- NO STOPOVERS! - try to reduce the number of connecting flights when you book. A high percentage of carbon emissions from planes occur on take off and landing.
- PACK LIGHT- a lighter bag means a lighter plane and which uses less fuel.
- CARBON OFFSET- take a trip, plant a tree! Make it an indigenous tree! Sign up with companies that help you invest in renewable energy such as Carbon Neutral and TerraPass. Ask us about our reforestation and climate change monitoring projects in Africa.
- BUY RESPONSIBLY- wooden curios and shells may be very pretty to take home as gifts but think twice before you support unsustainable industries such as poaching (plant or animal).
Useful Websites:
- http://www.groundsforchange.com - organic and delicious coffee!
- http://www.ethicaltraveler.org - how to travel with minimum impact
- http://www.carbonneutral.com - carbon offsetting schemes
- http://www.terrapass.com - carbon offsetting schemes
- http://www.ecogeek.org - green technology
- http://www.inhabitat.com - green architecture and design
- http://www.dailyfueleconomytip.com - tips to increase your fuel milage and reduce your car
- http://www.ecorazzi.com - the lastest in green gossip
- http://jetsongreen.com - excellent green-building ideas
- http://www.msn.co.uk/htx/75GreenWebsitesataglance - list of green websites for everyday living
Interesting Reads:
- http://www.newdream.org/newsletter/travel.php - details on ethical travel
- http://www.noimpactman.com - follow Colin and his family as they literally give up toilet paper to reduce their energy usage!
" Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind. " ~ Albert Einstein
The Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation Network CC. Reg No. 2006/218804/23
©2008 Edge of Africa
©2008 Edge of Africa