Question

From the article, choose three or more sustainable practice for the home. Describe how each would be feasible for you to initiate.

WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE

The EPA has produced a guide about what individuals can do to help reduce their contributions to climate change. Changes in the home, yard, and on the road can reduce greenhouse gases and save money. EPA notes 16 simple steps individuals can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, summarized below.

1. Change five lights

Replace the most frequently used light fixtures or the lightbulbs in them with ENERGY STAR–qualified products and you will help the environment while saving money. ENERGY STAR lighting uses about 75% less energy than standard lighting; and lasts from 10 to 50 times longer.

2. Look for ENERGY STAR

Consumer electronics and small appliances are responsible for almost 30% of all household electricity use. When buying new appliances, look for EPA's ENERGY STAR label to help make the most energy-efficient decision. Over their lifetimes, products in your home that have earned the ENERGY STAR label can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 130,000 pounds and save you on energy bills.

3. Heat and cool smartly

Heating and cooling accounts for almost half a home’s energy bill. Simple steps like changing air filters regularly, properly using a programmable thermostat, and having heating and cooling equipment maintained annually by a licensed contractor can save energy and increase comfort while helping to protect the environment.

4. Seal and insulate your home

Reduce air leaks and stop drafts by using caulk, weather stripping, and insulation to seal your home's envelope and add more insulation to the attic to block out heat and cold. A knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs through comprehensive sealing and insulation.

5. Reduce, reuse, recycle

Reducing, reusing, and recycling in the home conserves energy and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from resource extraction, manufacturing, and disposal. Composting food and yard waste reduces the amount of garbage that sent to landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Visit EPA's Individual Waste Reduction Model (iWARM) to learn about the energy benefits of recycling.

6. Use water efficiently

Household water use required a significant amount of energy to pump, treat, and heat, so saving water reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Pursue simple water-saving actions, such as turning the water off while shaving or brushing teeth. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day. Repair all plumbing leaks right away. Be smart when irrigating the lawn or landscape. Water during the coolest part of the day; early morning is best.

7. Be green in your yard

Food scraps and yard waste make up 20-30 percent of the trash thrown away. Decomposing vegetable matter releases methane. Composting food and yard waste reduces the amount of garbage that sent to landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. See EPA’s tips on how to compost.

8. Purchase green power

Green power is environmentally friendly electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and the sun. There are two ways to use green power: Green power can be purchased, or the home can be modified to generate its own green power. Buying green power is easy. There are a number of actions that can be taken to create a greener home, including installing solar panels and researching incentives for renewable energy in their home state.

9. Calculate your household's carbon footprint

Use EPA's Household Carbon Footprint Calculator to estimate household greenhouse gas emissions resulting from energy use, transportation, and waste disposal. This tool helps people understand where their emissions come from and identify ways to reduce them.

10. Spread the word

Tell family and friends that energy efficiency is good for their homes and good for the environment because it lowers greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

11. Purchase a fuel-efficient, low-greenhouse gas vehicle

Choose the cleanest, most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs. With a wide range of clean, fuel-efficient vehicles available today, it’s easier than ever to go green. The EPA fuel economy and environment label that appears on all new vehicles has been redesigned and updated for even easier comparison shopping.

12. Drive smart

Go easy on the brakes and gas pedal, avoid hard accelerations, reduce time spent idling (no more than 30 seconds), and unload unnecessary cargo to reduce weight, improve fuel economy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Use cruise control if possible, and for vehicles with selectable four-wheel drive, operate in two-wheel drive mode when road conditions make it safe to do so. For more information, take a look at these tips for driving more efficiently.

13. Remember maintenance

Get regular tune-ups, follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, and use the recommended grade of motor oil. A well-maintained car is more fuel-efficient, produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions, is more reliable, and is safer! For more details, including potential fuel savings, check out these tips for keeping your car in shape.

14. Tires can be a drag

Check your tire pressure regularly. Under-inflation increases tire wear, reduces your fuel economy, and leads to higher greenhouse gas and other air pollutant emissions. When it’s time for new tires, consider purchasing tires with “low rolling resistance,” an energy-saving feature.

15. Give your car a break

Use public transportation, carpool, or walk or bike whenever possible to avoid using your car. Leaving the car at home just two days a week can reduce individual greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 2 tons per year. Consider telecommuting if feasible. When running errand, combine stops that are close to one another in one trip.

16. Use renewable fuels

Biodiesel and E85 are renewable fuels made sources such as corn that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from your vehicle. If you own a diesel vehicle, consider filling up with a biodiesel blend such as B5, which is a diesel fuel blend containing 5% biodiesel. E85 is a fuel blend containing 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline that can be used in certain vehicles called Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs). FFVs are designed to be fueled with either E85 or traditional gasoline. The Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator can help you locate both E85 and biodiesel fuel stations in your area.

Related Links

• EPA's Household Carbon Footprint Calculator
• Climate Change and Transportation
• Green Vehicle Guide

Answer 1

Answer: Reduce, Recycle and reuse: This can be initiated as by reducing the materials for various purposes. For example, the empty bottles are being reuse by the villagers to make walls. Lots of plastic bottles can be used in making walls and it can be useful for villagers. The paper bag can be easily degradable and can be environmental friendly.

Planting more and more trees as well as maintenance of the garden in the yard is one of the best method to reduce the pollution.

Water should be used properly and we should save water as water harvesting can be done of the rain water. Even in many areas this process has been initiated.