Marlo Thomas: 12 Ways to Be Green for Earth Day, and Every Day

Climate change is one of those topics that practically dares you to step up to it. We know it exists and we know it's critical, but it's so enormous that it's hard to wrap your head around it.

We see the receding ice caps and dwindling numbers of polar bears; sure, we see the cyclones and the floods in distant lands, and the rise in droughts and hurricanes here at home -- yet somehow where it's all headed seems so far away that it's just easier to think, "What can I do about it? I'll worry about it tomorrow."

But the truth is, tomorrow is rapidly becoming today. Although we may not often acknowledge it, climate change affects every one of us -- and all of us can affect climate change.

Today is Earth Day, and around the world, hundreds of millions of individuals, corporations, governments and communities will band together to pledge to make a difference, and to step forward to protect our planet. Discussions and conferences will be held, concerns will be voiced, problems will be addressed, plans will be made and actions will be taken. No, there will be no overnight solutions, but collectively, our consciousness will be raised, and whatever small steps we plan to take will begin to add up.

That's because Earth Day is not just about organized groups in distant cities making plans. It is also about every one of us taking responsibility for our own actions and setting good examples for our children, our neighbors and friends. As with all social movements throughout history, awareness leads to action, and action leads to change.

And those changes have a real effect. Remember when there was no such thing as unleaded gas or recycling bins, and nobody gave you grief for leaving the lights on and the water running? Now, thankfully, those concerns are part of our daily lives and the planet is happier for it. That's what Earth Day is about.

So today, I urge you to take a moment to look at your own habits and actions, and consider what small changes you can make that will contribute to the larger effort. The easiest way for each of us to begin, of course, is to take steps to reduce our own carbon footprints. So we've made up a list of twelve simple ways that you can begin today. It doesn't take much, but it's so very important for all of us.

And Happy Earth Day!

• Stop Your Junk Mail

  Is your mailbox always loaded with unwanted advertisements, credit card applications and catalogs? Save yourself the trouble of sifting through them and help reduce the millions of tons of paper discarded in the U.S. each year by unsubscribing yourself. Sign up for the Direct Marketing Association?s <a href="https://www.dmachoice.org" target="_blank">opt-out service</a> to stop receiving unwanted ads and <a href="https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t" target="_blank">remove your name</a> from mailing lists that send credit card offers. If you?re still receiving unsolicited mail, contact the companies directly.

• Eat Less Meat

  Did you know that it takes <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/green-products-services/vegetarian-47021902" target="_blank">600 gallons of water</a> to produce just one hamburger? That shocking figure aside, the carbon emissions that result from meat production are some of the most potent, and are large contributors to climate change. You don?t need to go vegetarian to make a difference ? eliminating meat from your diet just one day a week can make a huge impact.

• Weatherize Your Home

  If your house feels a bit drafty, you could be wasting money and contributing to environmental pollution because of unnecessary energy use. Seal up your home by installing storm doors and windows, using caulking and weatherstripping and adding insulation. Both your wallet and Mother Nature will thank you.

• Stop Buying Bottled Water

  Bottled water is convenient, but so is putting filtered water into a reusable bottle. Plastic bottles leave a huge carbon footprint ? from production to shipping to disposal.

• Turn Down Your Water Heater

  Most water heaters have a ?vacation mode,? so if you?re going on a trip (even just for the weekend), use it. Your water heater won?t stop working ? it just won?t be using as much energy as it usually does to produce super hot water used for things like showers or cooking. Flipping the switch only takes seconds, making it a simple way to save money and reduce your energy usage ? just remember to switch the mode back to ?normal? when you get home.

• Invest in Power Strips

  We all know unused electronics waste energy when we leave them plugged in, but who has time to go around unplugging everything every time they leave the house? Power strips are the perfect solution. Plug everything in at the same spot, and just flip the switch to your power strip on and off as needed. Quick, easy and energy-efficient.

• Use Passive Solar Heating

  Harness the power of the sun! During cold months, open up your curtains during the day and let the sun shine in to heat your home naturally. In the summer, close the curtains during the heat of the afternoon to keep your home cool. Try it, and watch both your energy usage and your utility bill shrink.

• Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies

  It?s amazing what baking soda, vinegar, lemon and soap can do. Make your own cleaning products to cut down on the amount of toxins in your home and in the environment outside. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/18/10-nontoxic-deep-cleaning_n_810047.html#s225352&title=NoFume_Bleach" target="_blank">Click here</a> for ways to whip up your own homemade cleaning supplies.

• Think Before You Buy

  Cut down on waste and clutter by buying less. Before you go to the store, write up a list and stick to it. You?ll save a ton of money and unnecessary waste by passing on impulse buys. You can also check <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/" target="_blank">Freecycle.org</a> and your local <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites/" target="_blank">Craigslist</a> to see if someone is giving away what you need for free.

• Eat Local

  Local, seasonal foods are not only fresh and delicious, they also have much less of an environmental impact. Many of the foods in the grocery store have been frozen and shipped thousands of miles to reach their final destination. Buy produce at local farmer?s markets to help save gas, support the local economy and eat healthier.

• Bathe Smarter

  Substitute bath time with a shower to save water and energy ? baths use almost <a href="http://www.50waystohelp.com/" target="_blank">twice as much</a>! Cutting your shower time by a few minutes can also make a big difference in your water consumption. And, if you?re feeling frisky, take a shower with your partner ? the benefits need not be explained.

• Be Mindful When Driving

  You may not drive a hybrid, but you can change your driving behavior to reduce the environmental impact of your vehicle. Keep your tires properly inflated, go for regular tune-ups and avoid stop-and-go driving when possible. Taking these steps will increase fuel-efficiency and decrease harmful emissions.

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Follow Marlo Thomas on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MarloThomas

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/12-ways-to-be-green-for-earth-day_b_3110907.html

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