30 tips for eco-friendly living

Increasingly, Canadians are taking the environment into their own hands rather than waiting for the government to make changes. We know that the main issue is global climate change and all the uncertainty it's bringing to our communities. Slowing the pace of climate change means focusing on how we use energy and create waste.

Creating an eco-friendly lifestyle is increasingly easier as individuals take the lead and environmentally friendly ideas works its way into mainstream thinking. Whether it's small steps or big lifestyle changes, Canadians are rising to the environmental challenge and inspiring others to live greener.

Green living: 10 small steps to leave a lighter footprint
1. Replace burned-out lightbulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (or LED bulbs).

2. Don't idle your car. If you're pulling over for more than 20 seconds, it's worth stopping the engine.

3. Keep your car in good running condition. That means getting regular oil changes so you'll produce fewer emissions and making sure tires are properly inflated so you'll use less fuel.

4. Buy products that come in less packaging. Check that the packaging is recyclable.

5. Plug your TV and DVD player into a power bar and then switch off the power bar when you switch off the TV. These and other devices draw power even when off.

6. Disconnect your home's downspout from the municipal drains. When the rain flows straight into your yard or into cisterns, you have to water less and the earth regulates all that water before it floods your municipality's streams, rivers or lakes.

7. At least once a week, walk to do your errands instead of driving.

8. Use rotting leaves in your garden instead of peat moss. It's better to leave the peat in bogs, where it's helping the environment.

9. Recycle every last can, glass bottle, newspaper and whatever else your municipality allows.

10. In winter set your thermostat a few degrees lower while you sleep than during the day. In summer set your air conditioning a few degrees higher than you set your daytime temperatures during winter.

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