Walk, cycle

The transportation has a huge impact on the environment. Try to  change your everyday habit.

• To travel short distance, don’t use the car, but walk or cycle     
• For longer distance, travel on public transport, whenever it is possible
• Suggest to your parents to use the car only if strictly necessary.

Turn down

You can reduce carbon emissions simply by turning down your household appliances. The impact on the environment of this simple action is big.

• Reduce the temperature of your home, at least by 1°C
• Programme the thermostat of your home to set the temperature low at night or when you’re out of the house
• Let hot food cool down to room temperature before putting it in the fridge
• In summertime don’t set your air conditioner on freezing temperatures
• If possible, replace your old electric machines with European Grade A+ labelled new ones.

 Switch off

Also making the little effort to switch off your electric appliances when their use is unnecessary has  a significant impact on your carbon footprint.

• Switch off the lights of your house when you don’t need them.
• Replace the ordinary light bulbs in lamps that you use around 5 hours a day with low energy (CFL) bulbs.
• In summertime use the air conditioning only when you are at home.
• Don’t cook or heat too often the food in the oven.
• Make sure to use the washing machine only when it's full
• Don’t spend too hours watching TV.
• Don’t leave TV, stereos, DVD… in stand-by
• Unplug the battery-charger when the recharging is complete
• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
• Make sure to turn off or fix dripping taps

 Recycle

Recycling is good for the environment. Think about how you dispose of waste, but also about packaging and other non-recyclable products before you buy.

• Always do the separate collection of your household waste  (aluminium, glass, paper, plastic…)
• When buying bottled water, buy 1.5 l bottles instead of the equivalent amount in 0,5 l bottles
• Use a reusable bag each time you go shopping
• Don’t waste paper
• Use recycled paper
• Buy items with less package

 … And more

• Support who plants new trees
• Suggest to your parents to by natural gas or GPL fuelled auto
• By only what you really need; every object needed energy to be made and will need energy to dispose of it.
• Eat only fruits and vegetables in season and produced nearby.
• Don’t waste water
• When you will get the right to vote, give your preference to good politicians.

References

• www.ecodieta.it
• www.mycarbonfootprint.eu