Happy Earth Day: 8 Tips You Can Implement to Stay Green All Year

According to the Environmental News Network, only two dozen people - those who have journeyed to the moon - have seen the earth in its entirety. The first person was astronaut Bill Anders on the Apollo 8 mission in 1968. The Associated Press asked these astronauts to provide their thoughts about what it’s like to see Earth from above. Some of my favorites include:

“It’s hard to appreciate the Earth when you’re down right upon it because it’s so huge.”It gives you in an instant, just at a position 240,000 miles away from it, (an idea of) how insignificant we are, how fragile we are, and how fortunate we are to have a body that will allow us to enjoy the sky and the trees and the water … It’s something that many people take for granted when they’re born and they grow up within the environment. But they don’t realize what they have. And I didn’t till I left it.”

–Jim Lovell, Apollo 8 and 13.

“…From up there, it looks finite and it looks fragile and it really looks like just a tiny little place on which we live in a vast expanse of space. It gave me the feeling of really wanting us all to take care of the Earth. I got more of a sense of Earth as home, a place where we live. And of course you want to take care of your home. You want it clean. You want it safe.”

–Winston Scott, two-time shuttle astronaut who wrote a book, “Reflections From Earth Orbit.”

“You change because you see your life differently than when you live on the surface everyday. … We are so involved in our own little lives and our own little concerns and problems. I don’t think the average person realizes the global environment that we really live in. I certainly am more aware of how fragile our Earth is, and, frankly, I think that I care more about our Earth because of the experiences I’ve had traveling in space.”

–Eileen Collins, first female space shuttle commander.

Today isn’t the only day we should be thinking “green.” In fact, it’s actually pretty easy to implement little changes in our lives that can make a big difference in the environment. Here are some things you can do to help out:

1. Switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact florescent light bulbs. Though they are a little more expensive than incandescent bulbs and since they contain mercury, they can’t be thrown out with the regular trash, CFL bulbs can cut costs in the long term. Incandescent lights produce more heat than electricity and are extremely inefficient.
2. Use power protectors or unplug electronics when not in use. Your tv, dvd player, kitchen appliances and computers all continue to use electricity even when turned off. In fact, over time, these electronic devices actually suck more power while off than they do while on. To cut back, make sure to plug in your electronics to a power protector and flip the switch to off when not in use - or just unplug the device.
3. Turn off lights you aren’t using. If you aren’t in the room, make sure to turn the lights off.
4. Watch your water consumption. When brushing your teeth, don’t let the water run. Over a period of 2 minutes, you could be using up to eight gallons of water. Take shorter showers and consider washing your clothes in cold water to reduce your hot water consumption.
5. Buy local. Your local farmer’s market may be a bit more expensive than your supermarket, but the quality is better. And, you reduce the energy consumption involved in transporting the goods all over the world.
6. Check your tires. One of the best ways to save fuel is to keep your tires properly inflated.
7. Rethink your commute. Walking or riding your bike not only are great ways to exercise, they also save you money on gas and parking. If they aren’t an option, consider carpooling or taking public transportation a few days a week instead.
8. Monitor your driving patterns. Every time you speed up only to hit the brakes, you are wasting fuel. Instead, keep a reasonable following distance from the car in front of you and give yourself room to slow down by easing up on the gas rather than braking.

Feel free to add your “going green” tips in the comments below.