Things you can do at home

Air dry. Let your hair and clothes dry naturally instead of running a machine. If you do dry your clothes in the dryer, make sure the load is full.

Take short showers. Bathtubs require gallons more water than a 5-10 minute shower.

Eat less meat, poultry and fish. More resources are used to provide meat than plants.

Freeze fresh produce and leftovers if you don’t have the chance to eat them before they go bad. You can also do this with take-away or delivered food, if you know you will not feel like eating it the next day. You will save food and money.

Compost your food scraps. It can reduce climate impact while also recycling nutrients.

Recycling paper, plastic, glass and aluminium keeps landfills from growing.

Buy minimally packaged goods.

Avoid pre-heating the oven. Unless you need a precise baking temperature, start heating your food right when you turn on the oven.

Plug air leaks in windows and doors to increase energy efficiency.

Adjust your thermostat, lower in winter, higher in summer.

Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models and light bulbs.

If you have the option, install solar panels in your house. This will also reduce your electricity bill!

Get a rug. Carpets and rugs keep your house warm and your thermostat low.

If you use a dishwasher, stop rinsing your plates before you put them into the machine.

Switch to cloth diapers or a new, environmentally responsible disposable brand.

Shovel snow manually. Avoid the noisy, exhaust-churning snow blower and get some exercise.

Use cardboard matches. They don’t require any petroleum, unlike gas-filled plastic lighters.