Green Catholic

What You Can Do To Help The Environment

Some of recommendations are very easy and others require long-term commitment. Do what you can and set a goal and work toward it.
Be Green Be Catholic

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1. Change to cfl bulbs - check out how much money you will save
2. Recycle newspaper, paper, cardboard, glass, tin and aluminum
3. Buy recycled products
4. Lower your water heater to 130 degrees
5. Use reusable shopping bags-preferably Green Catholic bags
6. Buy Energy efficient appliances-look for the Energy Star logo
7. Buy local produce
8. Start a carpool to work or school
9. Start a compost pile in your yard
10. Wash clothes in cold water
11. Turn off the lights and appliance when you're not in the room.
12. Leave your shoes at the door. This cuts down on dust-bound pollutants in the home.
13. Use public transportation when possible
14. Install Green flooring, such as bamboo, cork or concrete
15. Skip the bottled water
16. Use biodegradable cleaning products.
17. Install solar panels
18. Avoid buying and using Styrofoam
19. Tune up your furnace once a year
20. Insulate and weather-strip your home
21. Lower thermostat one degree for every hour you will be away or sleep
22. Install a programmable thermostat
23. Walk to work
24. Install solar water heating
25. Remodeling your kitchen, use green products on your cabinetry
26. Buy and use rechargeable batteries
27. Plant a tree
28. Use organic pesticides and fertilizers
29. Don't over water your lawn
30. Buy 100% certified organic clothing...Green Catholic
31. Install low-flow aerators on facets and water saving showerheads.
32. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth
33. Reuse plastic bags for dog walks or dirty diapers
34. Fix leaky pipes
35. Check to see if you toilet is leaking water
36. Start a community garden
37. Support work to empower the poor
38. Volunteer with an environmental group
39. Start an environmental club at your parish or school
40. Recycle your engine oil
41. Do not litter
42. Join a local or national pro-life group to stand up for social justice
43. Urge your community to begin curbside recycling
44. Air dry laundry when possible
45. Explore alternative energy source such as wind
46. Educate children about sustainable living practices
47. Use low or phosphate-free detergent
48. Keep your car tuned properly
49. Use reusable containers for sandwiches and leftovers instead of plastic wrap, baggies and foil.
50. Use cloth diapers
51. Use recycled paper for your business and home
52. Buy a T.E.D. visit
53. Use old clothes for cleaning up spills and cleaning instead of paper towels
54. Share your knowledge with others
55. Try to eat a vegetarian diet once a week
56. When looking to buy a new car, look for a hybrid model
57. Contribute to international hunger relief efforts and programs to improve agriculture in developing countries.
58. Buy organic products to support sustainable agriculture in the United States
59. Avoid purchasing products that contain halocarbons (e.g. Halon fire extinguishers, aerosol cleaners for electronic or photographic equipment) and other ozone-destroying chemicals
60. Contribute to international relief efforts to provide clean drinking water in developing countries.
61. Don't buy colored toilet paper
62. Encourage the U.S. government to support international efforts to combat the treats of global warming.
63. Remove yourself from mailing list that you do not want be on
64. Start a recycling program at your parish
65. Have your eco-club adopt a highway or waterway
66. Join Energy Star and Green Catholic and organize Change a Light, Change the World
67. Drive with a purpose; accomplish many errands with one outing.
68. Use Low VOC paints (volatile organic compounds)
69. Vote, you do make a difference
70. Plant Bamboo in your yard
71. Plan a green wedding
72. Cut off computer; don't rely on the power saver
73. Have an energy audit done on your home free from your local utility company
74. Buy green or organic makeup
75. Work from home
76. Pay your bills on-line
77. Check you tire pressure
78. Organize a beach or lake clean-up with your parish
79. Reward your kids for prating green living
80. Down-size your home
81. Buy free-trade coffee or chocolate
82. Collect rainwater and reused it to water plants and lawn
83. Open a window and let fresh air in
84. Drive the speed limit, and accelerate and slow down gradually
85. Enjoy recreational activities that use renewable instead on nonrenewable energy. Talk a walk instead of watching TV.
86. Conduct an energy audit of your church and identify ways to reduce energy use.
87. Support efforts by low-income communities to address their toxic pollution problems and to avoid receiving an unfair share of society's environmental hazards.
88. Support government policies that promote energy efficiency and renewable energy
89. Support the efforts to preserve natural habitats in the United States
90. Change your air conditioner filter every 3 months, check your system
91. Donate your old clothing to a charity
92. Help your parish build a green church
93. When on vacation, look for Green Lodging
94. Use a plant able Christmas tree or an artificial tree
95. Use cast iron or stainless steel pots, avoid Teflon
96. Eat low-mercury fish like tilapia & Pollock, rather than high-mercury choices like tuna & swordfish.
97. Purchase products from companies that protect workers
98. Be a steward for God in all ways
99. Protect yourself, wear sunscreen at all times
100. Consume less, share more and live simple!!!!