| Recent politicians have been urging Americans to | | | | own bag, it saves those 4 bags from getting |
| be aware of how their actions are hurting the | | | | thrown away. Many stores have designed fun |
| environment and that simple things that they do | | | | reusable bags at a low cost to encourage this. In |
| can help reverse the problem. Global warming is a | | | | Europe all bags provided by the store will carry a |
| big problem in the environment and the rate of | | | | charge. This is very effective in encouraging |
| erosion in some coastal communities is alarming. | | | | people to use their own bags. |
| Also, with the global warming it is melting much of | | | | Step Two: Replace your Light Bulbs |
| Antarctica's glaciers creating an increased water | | | | An easy energy saving solution that will help the |
| volume in the ocean which is now covering land at | | | | environment long term is to replace all of your |
| an alarming rate as well. This article will give you | | | | light bulbs in your home. The more energy |
| several ways on helping the environment such as | | | | efficient ones are a bit more expensive, but the |
| recycling and/or reusing your carryout food | | | | savings long term and benefits outweigh the |
| containers and paper bags, replacing your light | | | | upfront expense. |
| bulbs, using alternative modes of transportation | | | | Step Three: Alternative Modes of Transportation |
| and reducing your meat consumption. | | | | If everyone would pick one day a week to not |
| Step One: Recycle & Reuse | | | | use their car, the air quality would greatly improve |
| A majority of Americans do not recycle regularly. | | | | and as a result it will help the ozone layers. Either |
| One reason is that it costs additional money. The | | | | carpool with a coworker, ride your bike to school |
| average cost to having a recycling service pick up | | | | or walk to the store that is just blocks away |
| your items is just $20 for a year. In some states, | | | | instead. Also, sell your gas guzzling SUV and buy a |
| incentives are offered to communities that | | | | smaller vehicle as well. |
| recycle. One example is in Terrace Park, Ohio. | | | | Step Four: Reduce Meat Consumption |
| This small town decided to pay for recycling for | | | | New studies are showing the cost and energy |
| the entire population of 2,000 residents. Now over | | | | used to provide meat to Americans is a costly |
| 90% of the residents recycle, up from just 30%. | | | | one that is also affecting the environment. It was |
| When you recycle all of your plastic, glass and | | | | reported that if Americans cut out 2-3 |
| paper items it will greatly reduce your household | | | | hamburgers a week it would be equal to taking all |
| trash amount which will then reduce the size of | | | | of the SUV's off the roads in air quality and |
| trash landfills. Another important way to reuse | | | | environmental toxins. Not only does it help the |
| items is to use your own bags to go shopping. | | | | environment, but eating a vegetarian meal here |
| Typically, when a shopper goes to the grocery | | | | and there will help your health too. |
| store, they use 4 plastic bags. If you take your | | | | |