Things we can do TODAY
RAINFOREST
FURNISH WISELY
Be conscious of furniture and other products made from threatened rainforest wood like Mahogany, Rosewood and Ebony.
JUST SAY NO TO PALM OIL
Palm oil, found in half of all processed foods in the US, is a key contributor to rainforest deforestation. Read beauty products and food labels carefully, and avoid this ingredient.
REUSE PAPER
Instead of throwing it out. Cut it up to use as a notepad, or recycle the paper you use.
SUPPORT INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Buying ethically sourced indigenous crafts, fair trade products, or visiting communities responsibly are both fun and effective ways to help the rainforest. They give you an opportunity to learn about new cultures, provide much needed income, and help the world learn about indigenous communities of the rainforest.
SUPPORT CAUSES THAT FIGHT FOR THE RAINFOREST
There are plenty of causes that focus on saving the rainforest. Just like One Tree Planted, whom Eart & Co. support, they plant a tree for every dollar that is donated. By buying a watch or a bracelet you are contributing to the cause. Do your research and explore the many organizations fighting like us.
REDUCE YOUR FOOTPRINT!
We are all connected: the Rainforest doesn’t just protect us from climate change, climate change puts our rainforests at risk! So consider reducing your dependence on oil and just consuming less. There are lots of easy ways to get started: limit new purchases, bike to school or to work, set your thermostat a couple of degrees lower in the winter, add solar panels to the roof of your home, eat locally-produced foods by shopping at farmers markets, recycle, look for wind or solar powered electricity providers and make the switch!
RESTORE
Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down.
ENCOURAGE
Encourage people to live in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment. Start with your inner circle.
CLIMATE
MIND YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by leaving the car at home when you can and being conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few things you can do to get started today: Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and bundle up or use a fan to avoid oversetting your thermostat.
EAT ORGANIC WHEN YOU CAN
Organic food is good for us because we’re not putting pesticides in our bodies, but organic food is also grown without synthetic fertilizers, most of which begin as byproducts of oil refining. When you buy a conventional apple, you’re giving a little boost to Big Oil.
EAT LESS MEAT
Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas and cows are one of the greatest methane emitters. Their grassy diet and multiple stomachs cause them to produce methane, which they exhale with every breath.
SUPPORT CAUSES THAT FIGHT FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
Do your research and find causes that you believe in and show support. We all are busy and the littlest contribution still can go a long way and there are plenty of organizations dedicating time and energy that can use your help.
CHOOSE TO WALK OR RIDE YOUR BIKE
When the opportunity presents itself choose to walk or ride your bike to areas close by where you don’t have to drive.
CLEAN OR REPLACE FILTERS ON YOUR FURNACE OR A.C
Cleaning a dirty air filter can save a significant amount of carbon dioxide a year.
CHOOSE ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES WHEN MAKING NEW PURCHASES
Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances to choose the most energy efficient products available.
USE A CLOTHESLINE INSTEAD OF DRYER WHEN POSSIBLE
You can save 700 pounds of carbon dioxide when you air dry your clothes for 6 months out of the year.
PLANT A TREE
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. The Arbor Day Foundation has information on planting and provides trees you can plant with membership.
OCEAN
USE REUSABLE PLASTIC PRODUCTS
Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in non-disposable containers, bring your own cloth tote or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.
SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO PROTECT THE OCEAN
Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a national organization and consider giving financial support or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or group and get involved in projects close to home.
REDUCE ENERGY USE
Carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels is making our oceans more acidic. One consequence could be the loss of corals on a global scale, as their calcium skeletons are weakened by the increasing acidity of the water. There are many simple ways you can reduce your energy use. Ride a bike, walk or use public transportation. Use high efficiency appliances in your home. Turn off appliances when they aren’t in use. Turn up your thermostat a few degrees in the summer and down a few degrees in the winter. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs in your house.
CLEAN UP YOUR LOCAL BEACHES
Start by spending time on your beach, picking up waste that’s lying about. Neglected, light-weight debris will be blown into the sea.
ALWAYS RECYCLE
Non-recycled items, particularly plastic, end up reaching the ocean if you don’t do this. Do not be lazy and make full use of the recycling depots already located within your neighborhood.
PROPERLY DISPOSE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Motor oil and other hazardous materials often end up washing into coastal areas because they aren’t disposed of properly. This pollutes the water and hurts the overall health of our oceans. Be sure to dispose of hazardous waste in an environmentally safe way.