It Takes How Much Water?
Brushing teeth = 1 Gallon
Drinking = .5 Gallon
Watering the lawn = 180 Gallons
Flushing the toilet = 4-7 Gallons
Washing the dishes = 9-20 Gallons
Needed to process 1 can of fruit or vegetables = 9.3 Gallons
Taking a shower = 15-30 Gallons
Washing clothes = 30 Gallons
Manufacture a car and 4 tires = 39,090 Gallons
Needed to produce 1 ton of steel = 62,600 Gallons
A dripping faucet each day = 20-7,000 Gallons
U.S. average water usage for 1 person in 30 days = 3,500 Gallons
Electricity
5% of all electricity used in the U.S. is wasted on devices in "standby" mode.
A regular incandescent light bulb coverts 90-95% of the power it uses to heat,
and only 5-10% to light production.
Turning off lights when not in use, the average household could save over $175 annually.
Gas
Gas is used in over 60 million homes. Gas is used in 78% of restaurants, 73% of lodging facilities, 51% of hospitals, 59% of offices, and 58% of retail buildings.
During the winter, open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
Set your thermostat at 65-68 degrees during the winter while you are home during the day. Lower it at night or while you are away to 55-58 degrees.
Buy Green
Choosing to purchase a green power product supports increased development of renewable energy sources, which can reduce the burning of fossil fuels and increase our national energy security.
Buying locally grown / produced food reduces the energy needed and pollutants created when food is shipped to other locations.
Support organic farming which enhances soil structures, conserves water and ensures the conservation and sustainable use of bio diversity.
Use energy-conserving grade motor oil, an EC multi-grade can improve your mileage by as much as 1.5%.
Buying products made from recycled materials helps reduce the need for virgin natural resources and the associated damage to plant and animal habitats.
Buy in bulk. Large sizes use less packaging per ounce. Packaging materials make up one third of the U.S. landfills.
Maintain auto air conditioners, leaking air conditioners are the single largest source of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) emission into the atmosphere in the U.S.
Use phosphate-free laundry and dish soaps.
Avoid placing paint and paint related products into sewers, the sewage system can't treat many of these substances, and their presence may prevent proper treatment of other pollutants.
Green Your Yard
Create a bat habitat which can be as simple as putting up a bat house. Bat play a vital role in controlling insect populations, pollinating plants, and spreading seeds. A single brown bat can catch up to 600 mosquitoes in an hour.
Plant ground cover to control the erosion of valuable topsoil and reduce the amount and speed of runoff. Groundwater supplies much of the local water, and needs to be recharged by soaking through the soil rather than runoff.
Mulch garden beds and around trees to slow evaporation.
Reduce or eliminate the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides. If chemicals must be used, apply in late afternoon or at night when bees are not working the blooms. Use sprays or granules instead of dust and apply when there is not wind.
Use slow-watering techniques on lawns and gardens, over watering can increase the leaching of fertilizers into groundwater.
Avoid pouring toxic substances down storm drains, they go directly into streams and waterways, polluting our rivers and bays.
Provide a source of clean, fresh water for birds, bats, butterflies, and other wildlife.
Include flowering and fruit bearing plants in your landscape, some berry producing shrubs can provide food throughout the year.
Recycle
Recycle glass, glass produced from recycled cullet reduces related air pollution by 20% and water pollution by 50%. |
