Earth-Friendly Actions
*Refer to this list of earth-friendly actions to add to your pledge. If you don't see one that you would prefer, please let us know so we may add it to our list.
Alphabetical Listing | Categorical Listing
Reduce purchases | learn more
Reducing purchases to only those that you really want or need prevents you from having things that you end up throwing away because you didn't really want or need them anyway and they are no longer useful to you. Nobody wants landfills in their neighborhood but when you throw something in the trash, it must go somewhere, and there is no such thing as "away". Better not to buy it at all. And, you will save money in the process.
Re-use or re-purpose old items | learn more
Many items can be repaired or re-purposed. Do your childrens old holey clothes really need to go in the trash or would the material make a beautiful quilt?
Recycle materials | learn more
Sometimes, there are things that are not good candidates for re-using or re-purposing. In these cases, ask if the materials can be recycled? Most items are recyclable now. Your city website should provide answers on what they take. Often, even materials that are not collected by your city may be collected by local non-profit organizations.
Reduce energy consumption | learn more
In most cases, burning electricity in our homes and businesses requires hydroelectric plants that utilize dams which alter the environment in several ways downstream: the large reduction in sediment that can flow downstream leads to loss of riverbanks, daily cyclic flow variations causes erosion, dissolved oxygen levels and temperatures are changed when passing through the turbines, which causes inhospitable living conditions for organisms previously thriving in the river, riverbeds are sometimes diverted across more shallow gradients in the landscape which can lead to dry river beds, and some species numbers are reduced, sometime to dangerously low levels, for example, salmon are prevented from going upstream to spawn.
Reduce pollution (air, noise, water, light, etc.) | learn more
Noise pollution from ocean shipping is larger than most people realize and has been shown to impact the actions of marine mammals species that depend on biosonar (echolocation) to find food and survey their environment for danger or mates. Bats also use biosonar to locate insects. Light pollution occurs during night-time when city lights can impact behaviors of certain animals, in some cases, driving them from their habitats. It also wastes energy and obscures our view of the stars. Changing light fixtures to those that point downward rather than skyward is one of the steps that groups like The International Dark-Sky Association recommends.
Support earth-friendly businesses | learn more
Earth-friendly businesses have gone the extra mile to do the right thing. It's a no-brainer to give them our business.
Donate time, money, or other resources to earth-friendly causes | learn more
Sometimes, just giving a little of yourself is all it takes to make the difference to a cause. Consider doing a little something for a green cause that interests. It could go a long way.
Donate unwanted items to interested organizations | learn more
a href="http://www.goodwill.org/page/guest/about">Goodwill Industries International, Salvation Army, United Way, American Red Cross, Veterans groups, Churches, Schools, etc.
Become more aware of environmental topics | learn more
Most people have no idea about the vast number of environmental issues in need of attention. There's something for everyone. Pick something and educate yourself. You'll be glad you did.
Use green-building materials when doing construction projects | learn more
The rapidly-growing green-building industry offers many solutions for your next construction project. From beautiful recycled materials to energy-efficient systems, you will find something to fit your tastes and wallet.
Use your own bags when shopping | learn more
Do you know how many cows die from ingesting plastic bags? Too many. Not only do these bags litter our communities, they are only recyclable a limited number of times and they take a very long time to break down in landfills. This issue has caused enough concern that some governments are taking action. Of course, paper is not a good option either. Canvas bags are a great solution and are fun when you get different colors or designs. It's an easy alternative once you train yourself to keep some in your car and take them in the store with you.
Use more native plants in your gardens and landscapes | learn more
Non-native plants often become invasive due to a lack of the co-evolved restrictions in the new environment that keeps native plants in check. This leaves native plants vulnerable to the super-free exotics to take over at some alarming rates. Invasive plant species can choke out local native plant diversity leaving our landscapes boring and intolerable for many insects, birds, and other creatures. Gardeners who use more native plants notice and increase in more butterflies and native bird species visiting their gardens; while, gardeners who plant mostly exotic flowers end up with more lifeless gardens. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center created by the late, former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson once said and
Recommend that others visit this website | learn more
Spread the word. Ignorance should not be the reason we don't live in congruence with our natural world. When people become educated, they are empowered and inspired. If you do nothing else, tell somebody about this website.
Recognize and praise others who are practicing earth-friendly actions | learn more
Give credit where credit is due. Noticing all the little things that are good will increase them until they are big things. Recognize the progress made in all the little ways it is made and be glad for it. If you know a person, group, government, business or organization that is doing something good for our planet and you want to recognize them, enter their information and we will recognize them by listing them on our site.
Composting and Fertilizers | learn more
Freshwater Inflow: the Lifeblood of Estuaries | learn more
Recycle a Bicycle
This is the best way to deal with that old bike you no longer want to use. The Recycle-a-Bicycle education initiative that took root in New York and it has grown all the way to the west coast. It does more than just teach about recycling bikes.
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