We know technically the earth only gets one celebratory day each year in April, but we say it deserves a whole lot more! In honour of our precious planet and in response to the super scary scientific study desperately trying to smack some sense into us, we present 7 easy ways to lower your fossil fuel use.
1. Time Travel
If you’ve ever spent any time in traffic, you know what a waste of fuel sitting idle can be. So, instead of getting in line with the lemmings, time shift your commute. If you can, simply head to work and leave a few hours earlier. Your commute will be quicker and you won’t be fuming at the idle madness of sitting in traffic.
2. Local, Local, Local
Channel the real estate mantra of location, location, location and think local, local, local. Take staycations, buy food grown or produced locally, shop for products and clothing manufactured in your community, province or country (at least) — the local movement is not just for produce!
3. Pedal Power
Sure riding your bike everywhere lowers fossil fuel use but that’s not the only way to take a bite out of fossil fuels. Why not turn those pedals for power? You can pick up a bike generator for small appliances or simply support businesses like Smoothe Operators who’ll do the revolutions for you!
4. Bundle Up
Unless you’ve got a wood burning stove, heating your home burns up fossil fuels. Instead of cranking up the furnace, try cozying into an extra sweater or wearing a scarf. And when the season’s change and you find yourself reaching for that AC – strip it down and let the fresh air and breezes flow!
5. Air Your Dirty Laundry
Okay, maybe just your clean stuff. Skip the dryer and let a fresh breeze blow some freshness into your laundry. In the summer, you may be surprised to find the sun does the job faster than your dryer. If you simply must use the dryer, decrease your dryer time by using felted dryer balls that will help pull the moisture out of your clothes.
6. Be One with the Sun
Days are getting longer so set your circadian rhythm to the sun’s. Rise when it does and turn in shortly after it does too. With the longer days, living in the daylight is easier and will decrease having to light your night-owl ways.
7. Take Longer Vacations
Not a hard sell for most people; here is how longer vacations reduce your carbon footprint. Say you have three weeks of vacation a year. If you take them separately, chances are you’re flying or driving to three different locations. Instead, take all three weeks together and lower your overall fossil fuel use. Go on, stay on the beach a little longer (with sunscreen, of course).
They may seem like little things, but if we all did them just think about how much happier the earth would be. After all, it is earth year, every year.
