Tips for Green Living: What One Person Can Do
Send us your tip for green living
| See tips from
District staff
| Download factsheet (PDF file) in English:
facts-oneperson.pdf |
-en español: Lo que una Persona puede Hacer por un
Aire Limpio
 Top Ten Tips for Cleaner Air and a Healthier Planet
Keep in mind that your choices in two areas−energy use and
transportation−will determine your personal contribution to the problems
of air pollution and global climate change.
1. Use less electricity. Use compact fluorescent
light bulbs or LED lights, and look for the most energy-efficient
appliances when you're shopping. Use plug strips with on/off
switches to keep equipment like cell phone chargers plugged in but
not constantly drawing power. Think about installing solar panels,
or a passive solar water heater.
2. Drive less. Walk, bike or take the bus or
train instead of driving whenever you can. Try telecommuting.
3. When you do drive: combine car trips, carpool, keep
your car tuned up, and your tire pressures up, and don’t top off
your tank at the gas station—stop fueling when the pump
shuts off.
4. Use less toxic products. Lemon juice,
vinegar, soap, water, baking soda, borax, and a coarse scrubbing
sponge can handle many household cleaning tasks. Paint with
water-based paints, wash clothes by hand instead of dry cleaning,
and avoid insecticides and pesticides.
5. Shop local. Buy locally produced goods and
foods whenever you can. You'll be reducing the energy use and
pollution from transportation of products and at the same time
supporting our local economy.
6. Shop sustainable. Think about the products
you are buying, and their lifecycles. Consider how the product was
produced, how it will be used, and how it will be disposed of. And
support companies that care about the environment with your buying
power.
7. Save your fireplace or woodstove for special
occasions. Have your chimney cleaned regularly, and build
small hot fires rather than large smoldering ones. Never burn any of
these in your fireplace: charcoal, coal, holiday greens, plastics
(including plastic wrap, cups, plates, etc.), chemicals, wrapping
paper, magazines, or any colored or coated papers (including
newspaper inserts, junk mail, colored comics, etc.). Install and use
a gas log if you can.
8. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Yes, this phrase
has been around a long time, but it's still a good way to think
about your choices. Use less, consume less, reuse materials,
recycle, and buy products that are recyclable and/or made from
recycled materials.
9. Use an electric mower or push mower instead of a
gas-powered mower, use a broom instead of a leaf blower, and if you
use a landscaping service, try to make sure it follows green
practices.
10. Learn more and share what you learn. Check
out www.OurAir.org for more
information on air quality and what you can do.
Other useful websites:
For alternative
transportation ideas and resources:
www.SantaBarbaraCarFree.org or
www.trafficsolutions.info. For energy-saving tips and
resources:
www.southcoastenergywise.org,
www.pge.com, or
www.fypower.org.
Finding a Green Gardener service:
www.greengardener.org.
A few other ideas:
- Work from home one day a week.
- Don’t use indoor air cleaners that generate ozone.
- Report idling vehicles - see this page.
- Find out more about air pollution and lung health at
www.lungusa.org, or call (805) 963-1426
- Find additional information on the California Air Resources Board
website at www.arb.ca.gov.
 Return to Publications
|
