Easy Ways You Can Help Save the Earth

It's getting tougher to ignore what's happening to our Planet these days, with the topics of global warming, natural resources, and deforestation taking more and more of a priority with the media.

People may believe there is nothing they can do to change the health of the Earth, but that is simply not true. There are many simple things that everyone can do to make a contribution to bettering the health of the Earth.

Just remember, if everyone would make a couple of small changes, those changes would add up to big results.

Perhaps the easiest change that people can make is to use Compact Florescent Light Bulbs instead of standard incandescent light bulbs. According to Energy Star, CFL's last 10 times longer than standard light bulbs and can save about $30 or more in electricity costs over the bulb's lifetime.

It's also believed that if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified CFL, enough energy would be saved to light more than three million homes for a year!

While the CFL's do cost a little more than standard light bulbs, they last up to three times longer and will save you money on your electricity bill.

Another great way to help the planet is to use Re-Usable Bags. By employing this method you will help to reduce petroleum depletion, reduce global warming, and help keep the natural habitats of many species clean.

And don't think that choosing paper over plastic bags is any better. Even though it takes less time for a paper bag to decompose compared to a plastic bag, according to One Bag at a Time, making a paper bag emits 70% more global warming gasses, creates 50 times more water pollution, uses four times more raw materials, and consumes 3.5 times more energy than it would to make a plastic bag.

You also don't have to stop at using re-usable bags. Use a travel mug for your Starbucks lattes, store food in plastic containers, and try to limit your purchases of magazines, newspapers, and other paper products. After all, most of these items have online editions that have just as much, if not more information in them.

Another way to help the planet is to use a Water Saving Shower Head. I was lucky enough to get one for free from my county water department (as long as a traded in my current shower head). By reducing the amount of water used, not only do you preserve water supply, but you also save money!

Trust me, you won't even notice that you're using less water, and you can even purchase ones that come with a massage mode!

Using Natural Cleaning Products is probably my favorite way to help take care of the planet since this also can have an effect on my health. It just doesn't make sense why people use conventional cleaning products with hazardous synthetic chemicals in them instead of products made from natural and non-toxic ingredients.

Natural cleaning products DO work as well (if not better) than conventional cleaning products, and will leave your home really clean and smelling fresh. There are many options to choose from, Seventh Generation is one of many quality brands.

Do yourself another favor and use natural laundry detergent when washing your clothes, and wash them in cold water only. You'll save a lot of energy by not having to heat the water for a warm or hot wash.

Eating Organic is also something I do to not only keep my body healthy, but to also help the planet. Organic farmers do not use any hazardous chemicals in their fertilizers and therefore do not contaminate the crops, soil, and water on their farms.

The Organic Trade Association states that organic agriculture protects the health of people and the planet by reducing the overall exposure to toxic chemicals from synthetic pesticides that can end up in the ground, air, water and food supply, and that are associated with health consequences, from asthma to cancer.

While it may take some time for you to make all of these changes, you can feel good knowing that you are getting that much closer to doing your part to keep the Earth a clean and vibrant world.