Whether it's gas, food, clothing, cars, furniture, water, toys, electronics or other goods, we are all consumers. The key is not to stop consuming, but to start being mindful of our consumption habits and how each purchase or action affects the ecosystem. .
Consume less
Limiting consumption can have a huge impact on the environment. The three "Rs" —reduce, reuse and recycle —get a lot of attention. However, the planet could benefit from some focus on the most important and most underrepresented "R": refuse. When you refuse, you say "no", which is not always easy. , think about whether it would truly improve your life. If not, it's OK to just say, "No, thanks! "
Walk, bike or carpool
According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency （EPA）, a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4. 6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Any amount of that we can cut back on will help. . If travelling on foot or two wheels isn't feasible （可行的）, try carpooling with a friend, neighbor or coworker to a mutual destination.
Get creative with your useless or unwanted items by upcycling —basically, turning trash into treasure. Creating something new such as artwork, toys or jewelry is both satisfying and one of the best ways to protect the environment. Not only does it keep items out of the trash, it can prevent having to purchase new items, which require lots of resources to produce. Children love making things; so instead of heading to the craft store, check out your recycle bin first and let their imaginations soar!
Use your purchasing power for good
The positive thing about being a consumer is that we have the power to choose where we spend our hard-earned dollars. . Spend it wisely on goods, services and experiences that leave a smaller carbon footprint. Choose to do business with companies that support sustainability efforts, utilize renewable energy sources and walk the walk when it comes to protecting the environment.
A. Upcycle more
B. Recycle properly
C. If you want to consume less or recycle a used item
D. Here are several ways you can start to protect the environment
E. Think of your money as your voice and your vote for a cleaner planet
F. Next time you're tempted to purchase or accept a non-essential item
G. For short trips, try walking or biking —you'll also get a healthy dose of exercise in
