 
We all know about the planet's problems and the majority of us would like to do something about it, but where to begin?! Here's a list of really simple ideas to get you started.
Get a human-powered lawn mower instead of a loud, noxious petrol grass-cutter - Get fit while you mow your lawn. Even better: rip up your lawn and replace it with a water-friendly waterwise garden.
Compost your garbage instead of throwing it all away; over 60% of solid household waste is fit for the compost pile, heap or bin.
Buy clothes and linen made from organic cotton - Conventional cotton farming uses only about 3% of the farmland but consumes approximately 25% of the chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and if you want it, you can get it organic: jeans and denim, towels and sheets, even upholstery fabric.
Ride a bicycle - The most efficient form of transportation ever devised was named the most significant innovation in a UK survey, and it's certainly one of our favourites.
Use eco-friendly household cleaners - It's never made any sense to us to use "dirty" chemicals and volatile organic compounds to try to get things cleaner around the house.
Eschew air conditioners (even though there are some nice designs, some pretty efficient window units and even an off-grid option out there) and go with a ceiling fan for year-round climate control. It'll help keep you cooler in summer; to push warm air back down into the room in winter, just flip the blades around.
Skip the energy-hogging tumble dryer for a drying rack or clothes line instead; it's easier on your clothes, your energy bill and our fragile planet. While you're at it, green your laundry practices or skip electricity all together.
Use rechargeable batteries instead of single-use batteries. It'll save you some bucks and the hassle of trying to recycle spent alkalines.
Buy organic fruits, veggies and dairy - Organic food is becoming more widely available all the time in grocery stores across the world, and because it's all free of pesticides, herbicides and other chemical non-desirables, it's better for you and the planet.
Buy local - When it comes to food, the only thing making more noise these days than organic is the local food movement.
Fill your house with bamboo - We just love the stuff, and its versatility makes for a variety of products that are inexpensive, functional and beautiful and long-lasting.
Get an efficient gas heater - to cut down reducing energy consumption and energy bills.
Use recycled paper - There's no need to use virgin paper for things like computer printing, envelopes, paper towels, toilet paper or tissues; the best part is that it's all easy to find at office supply stores and grocery stores. Don't forget, you can get great stationary and cool journals from recycled paper as well, so there are more trees for us all to hug.
Install dual-flush, water-saving toilets - Or, if your budget doesn't stretch to replacing the sanitary ware, just place a brick or similarly voluminous object in the tank of your toilet; by displacing some of the water, there's less of it to flush each time, and less valuable wet stuff goes down the drain.
Ban the bulb from your house - We can't emphasize this one enough: replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. They're more energy efficient, last longer, and can even help clean the air in your home. There are too many other good things about them to list here, but, trust us, they're worth it.
Filter your tap water instead of buying bottled - Even though there are some good things going on in the bottled water industry, like biodegradable water bottles and this bottled water with a cause, you can't beat filtered tap water in a reusable bottle.
Cut out cut flowers - Cut flowers are pretty and smell good, but are ultimately disposable after just a few days. The next time you're in the market for some, go for a potted version instead. They last longer, improve indoor air quality and can even be self-watering. If cut flowers are a must, go for organic.
Install low-flow shower heads - A low-flow shower head can save you litres of water each time you use it.
Store rainwater - You don't even have to dig a huge hole in the yard to have one. You won't be able to drink it, but your flowers, plants and garden will sure enjoy it. This will save the potable water your utility provides just for household use, and you'll use less of it.
Exclude those drafts - Draft excluders at the base of your exterior doors and windows can save vast amounts of cold from getting in and heat from getting out. Your wallet will thank you, and you can do it with other doors around the house, like your fridge door, too. This article was first published in Biophile, issue 10/2006. Visit www.biophile.co.za for more information.
Disclaimer: Harmonious Living is written for and read by a community of individuals with strong and independent opinions. While the publishers of Harmonious Living are dedicated to providing a forum in which views can be openly expressed, those views do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.
|
This is the powerful story of the author's struggle with Multiple Sclerosis and how a healer's unusual prescription of mindful altruism - to 'give away 29 gifts in 29 days' - ignited her energy, her happiness, and invited more abundance into her life.
