SUSTAINABILITY TIPS SOME IDEAS FOR GREENING YOUR LIFESTYLE

BY SUSTAINABLEWORKS.ORG

Spring is here, Southern Californians! Whether you're planning on a summer of outdoor fun and activities or just kicking up your heels in the cool of your own home, hop on the sustainability bandwagon with your fellow Southern Californians and adopt tips that will support our State's sustainability efforts. So whether you're packing your camping gear, preparing for picnics, or just looking forward to relaxing at home, read on to find out how you can have an eco-friendly summer that you can be proud of…and pass the word on to your friends and family. Together, we can help reduce California's ecological footprint and help preserve our natural resources and majestic ecosystems for present and future generations!

So what specific lifestyle changes can you tackle in your quest to kick-off a green and budget conscious summer? Here are just a few tips:

Stay Cool and Green

The summer poses high demands for utility usage and in turn, can greatly contribute to global climate change. In America, 50% of our energy production comes from coal plants - the number one contributor to carbon dioxide emissions. So stay cool and minimize your energy demands by setting your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher and by cleaning or replacing your air conditioner filter(s) every month to maintain its efficiency. Even better, consider installing ceiling or house fans, planting shade trees on the south side of your building, and line drying your clothes. Also, be aware of the Energy Vampires. These are appliances that use energy even when they are turned off. So use a power strip to turn all electronic devices and appliances off when not in use, from your cell phone charger to your computer to your cable box. Lastly, replace your incandescent bulbs with an Energy Star qualified CFL and reduce your energy usage by 75 percent with each bulb.

Zero Waste Picnics

Pack your reusable bags with organic beach snacks, but leave the menacing, polluting and wasteful disposables behind. Plastic products are made from petroleum, last for thousands of years, and pose grave threats to our marine ecosystem. Grab reusable cutlery, chose bulk over individually packaged products, and use a nice stainless steel water bottle to stay hydrated.

Be a Green Vacationer

Vacation travel can greatly contribute to global warming pollution. So do some research and consider greener modes of transportation based on the distance you're traveling and the number of people accompanying you. For example, if you and a partner are planning on traveling over 1,000 miles, you will emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by choosing a non-stop economy flight. A family of four traveling the same distance, however, will be more eco-friendly by driving a standard (non-SUV) car.

Be Water-Wise

The L.A. Times recently reported on an article from Science magazine, titled A Permanent Drought Seen for Southwest. The study reports that the Southwest's transformation to a permanent desert may already be underway. So in addition to curbing your carbon footprint and in line with our governor's request to reduce our water usage by 20 percent, consider these simple water-wise actions: install aerators on your faucets and switch to low-flow showerheads (check for rebates or free hand-outs from your utility company); opt for native plants and water your garden only outside of the daylight hours; eat lower on the food chain; and, turn-off the water while hand-washing your dishes.

Skin-safe Sunsreen

Protect yourself from harmful rays, but make sure you're not lathering your skin and the environment with toxic chemicals. To find the best sunscreen options, as well as check the safety of your other cosmetics, check the Environmental Working Groups' comprehensive, online Skin Deep database: www.ewg.org/skindeep.

Join a Green Living Workshop

Join a Green Living Workshop! Now that you've got your feet wet, try diving into a Green Living Workshop by Sustainable Works: www.sustainableworks.org. Here you will learn everything you will need to know about green lifestyle choices, protecting the planet and saving money. Want a better immediate reward than seeing your energy bills reduced? You can put your savings towards some eco-friendly summer gear.

Sustainable Works is a non-profit environmental education organization working to foster a culture of sustainability in cities, colleges, and businesses.