DO THESE THINGS

What Can You Do to Help Reduce Pesticide Use and Exposure?

• Give up the idea that the only good bug is a dead bug. Recognize that insect species keep most of the populations of pest insects in check and that full-scale chemical warfare on insect pests wipes out many beneficial insects.
• Do not insist on perfect-looking fruits and vegetables. These are more likely to contain high levels of pesticide residues.
• Use pesticides in or around your home only when absolutely necessary, and use them in the smallest amount possible.
• Do not become obsessed with having the perfect lawn that is maintained by large doses of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
• If you hire a lawn care company, use one that relies on organic methods, and get its claims in writing.
• Wash and scrub all fresh fruits and vegetables and when possible peel them to help remove pesticide residues.
• Grow your own fruits and vegetable using organic methods.
• Buy organically grown food at local grocery stores, food co-ops, or farmer's markets.

What Can You Do to Reduce Water Pollution?

• Use manure or compost instead of commercial inorganic fertilizers to fertilize garden and yard plants.
• Use biological methods or integrated pest management instead of conventional chemical pesticides to control garden, yard, and household pests.
• Grow some of your own food using organic farming techniques and drip irrigation to water your crops.
• Buy organic foods at grocery stores or better at local food co-ops and farmer's markets.
• Compost your food wastes.
• Use low-phosphate, phosphate-free, or biodegradable dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, and shampoo.
• Do not use water fresheners in toilets.
• Do not throw unwanted medicines down the toilet.
• Never apply fertilizer or pesticides near a body of water.
• Clean up spilled oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, and other harmful chemicals.
• Use less harmful substances instead of commercial chemicals for most household cleaners. For example, use (1) liquid ammonia to clean appliances and windows, (2) vinegar to polish metals, clean surfaces, and remove stains and mildew, (3) baking soda to clean household utensils, deodorize, and remove stains, (4) borax to remove stains and mildew, and (5) mineral oil to wax floors and polish furniture.
• Do not pour pesticides, paints, solvents, oil, antifreeze, or other products containing harmful chemicals down the drain or onto the ground. Contact your local health department about disposal.

What Can You Do to Waste Less Energy?

• Reduce use of fossil fuels. Drive a car that gets at least 15 kilometers per liter (35 miles per gallon), join a carpool, and use mass transit, walking, and bicycling as much as possible.
• Drive less and consolidate trips.
• See if you can substitute a phone call or e-mail for a trip by car.
• Insulate new or existing houses heavily, caulk and weatherstrip to reduce air infiltration and heat loss, and use energy-efficient windows. Add an air-to-air heat exchanger to minimize indoor air pollution.
• Insulate ducts that supply hot and cool air for your house and check them for leaks.
• Turn off lights, TV sets, computers, and other electronic equipment when they are not in use.
• Fix faucet or pipe leaks, especially for hot water.
• Wash laundry in warm or cold water.
• Eat locally grown foods in season.
• Recycle paper, metals, and glass and compost organic wastes.
• Buy materials and products that are made locally and that are long lasting.
• Obtain as much heat and cooling as possible from natural sources, especially sun, wind, geothermal energy, and trees.
• Buy the most energy-efficient homes, lights, cars, and appliances available. Evaluate them only in terms of lifetime cost.
• Turn thermostats down in winter and up in summer.
• Turn down the thermostat on water heaters to 43-49°C (110-120°F) and insulate hot water heaters and pipes.
• Lower the cooling load on an air conditioner by increasing the thermostat setting, installing energy-efficient lighting, using floor and ceiling fans, and using whole-house window or attic fans to bring in outside air (especially at night, when temperatures are cooler).

All of these things can be pretty overwhelming. No one is perfect and can accomplish all of these things.

Challenge yourself by not using plastic Poland spring bottles. Switch over to a reusable bottle.

Try to recycle more and more things. Talk to your town about how you can help out.