Green Tips
On September 23, 2014 leaders from all over the world met in New York to discuss climate change at the United Nations Climate Summit. But what can you do to help? Try some of these tips to conserve limited resources such as water, energy and animals and prevent landfill waste.
Recycle and Reuse
Choose rechargeable batteries and recycle them when they die. People use hundreds of single-use batteries to get energy every day and then they end up in bins. Be sure to recycle all batteries to keep harmful metals from entering the environment.
The next time you want to buy a new book to read, borrow it from the library or a friend instead of buying a new copy. Sharing books is a great way to reduce waste and reuse materials.
When you drink bottled water, reuse the bottle before recycling it.
Buy toys that last. Toys are made, directly or indirectly, from natural resources. Choose toys that won't break easily so you aren't always buying more stuff or creating more trash.
Improve the Outdoors
Plant a leafy tree that loses its leaves in fall on the south side of your home. Its shade will cool your house in the summer. After the tree’s leaves fall, sunlight will help warm your house in winter. Trees help clean the air we breathe. They produce oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide.
Take part in clean up days at a beach or park. Use those outdoor trash cans! Never litter. Keep our waterways clean. When you visit a park or beach, be sure you put your trash in containers.
Don't kill that spider!
There are over 40,000 species of spiders, and they all eat insects. They're an important part of the food web and provide natural pest control.
Don't pile your plate.
"When's dinner?" you want to know. You're starving after a long day at school! Even so, control yourself and take only what you know you can eat. Enough edible food to feed 49 million people ends up in landfills in the United States each year.
Spread the Word
Tell your friends! The more people who treat the Earth well, the safer all its inhabitants will be.