Environmental Pledge Ideas

--I will walk, ride a bike, carpool, “WeCar” or ride the Metrolink to work/school at least once a week (Reduce your carbon footprint by 1 pound for every mile you do not drive).

--I will decrease my shower time by five minutes.

--I will join an environmental organization.

--I will use my tax refund to buy trees (Save 2,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide per tree per year).

--I will only buy 100% post-consumer recycled paper.

--I will replace all of my incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star bulbs (Reduce your carbon

footprint by 450 pounds/year).

--I will only run my dishwasher, washing machine and/or dryer when it is full (Save 100 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $40/year).

-- I will move my heater thermostat down two degrees in winter and up two degrees in the summer (Save 2000 lbs of carbon dioxide and $98/year).

--I will turn my thermostat back 10-15 degrees when I am away during the day (Save 10% on heating and cooling bills).

--I will use a designated reusable bag for shopping to cut down on plastic and paper bag usage.

--I won't leave the tap running while I brush my teeth (Save 25 gallons of water/month or 14,600 liters of water/year).

--If I have to print, I will print 2 pages to a sheet or print double sided (Save over half a tree being destroyed/year).

--I will turn the lights out when I leave the room (Save 68kg of CO2/year).

--I will reuse or refuse a plastic bag at least 3 times a week (Save 156 bags going to landfill/year).

--I will use a push mower to mow the lawn (Save 80 lbs of carbon dioxide/year).

--I will air-dry my clothes when the weather permits (Save 700 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $75/year).

--I will change my car’s air filter monthly (Save 800 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $130/year).

--I will write a letter to my Congressman and/or Senator asking him or her to support legislation to stop global warming (Visit www.nrdc.org/policy or www.nrdc.org/legislation for more information).

--I will use plastic/reusable plates rather than paper ones.

--I will not burn my leaves, which leads to air pollution, health problems and fire hazards. I will start a compost pile at home instead (Visit http://www.compostguide.com/ for more information).

--I will switch off my power strips and unplug device chargers when they are not in use.

--I will set my computer and monitor to sleep when not in use, and turn off my monitor, PC, copier and printer at the end of the day (Can cut your computer’s electricity use roughly in half).

--I will take the stairs rather than the elevator at least twice a week.

--If I work in a research lab, I will close the sash on my fume hood while not in use (Can reduce total energy consumption in buildings by 17%).

--I will begin a composting program in my home/apartment or at work.

--I will reduce my meat consumption by choosing a vegetarian entree at least once a week.

--I will use a reusable water bottle rather than bottled water.

--I will use a reusable lunch box rather than paper or plastic bags.

--I will take notes on my computer at least twice a week rather than using paper.

--I will create an environmental awareness signature for my e-mail accounts (for example: “Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail”).

Want to do even more? Contact Theresa Schmidt at schmidt@washucsc.org for more information on or suggestions for the CSC's environmental efforts.