| How to Reduce Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions Posted: 13 Sep 2021 01:00 AM PDT Are you worried about your impact on the environment? As you juggle work, family, and personal time, it can be hard to keep track of your carbon footprint, or how many greenhouse gas emissions you typically release into the environment.[1] Don't worry. We've put together a list of some easy, helpful ways you can reduce these emissions, while possibly saving some money in the process. [Edit]Audit your home's energy use. - Ask your utility company if they can send you a "report card" of your energy usage. Then, look over your report really carefully. This audit can help you figure out what your household is doing well, and how you can improve in the future.[2]
- If you have the time and resources, you can hire a professional auditor to inspect your home and offer energy-saving advice.[3]
[Edit]Recycle regularly. - Memorize what can and can't be recycled around your home. Paper, tin cans, and steel typically can be recycled, as can many plastics.[4] Check the bottom of your plastic containers for the triangular recycling symbol with a number in the center. Then, hop on your state or region's website and see which numbers are recyclable in your area.[5]
- Feel free to send any broken electronics to your local electronics store. If your electronics are still in good condition, give them a new home.
- Don't put regular waste in your recycling bin, like garden hoses, syringes, or broken glass. Instead, toss these items in the trash.
- Ask your kids to help, too! Let them know what can get tossed in the trash and what can go in the recycling bin.[6]
[Edit]Compost your waste. - Food waste can create methane when left in landfills. To stop this from happening, set up a composting system for your household instead.[7] Compost breaks these food scraps into safe, eco-friendly waste that you can reuse in your home garden.[8]
[Edit]Shut off your lights and electronics. - Turning off unneeded electricity is an easy, helpful way to lower your carbon footprint. Before you leave your home, switch off any lights and unnecessary appliances.[9] While you're at it, turn off any other electronics, like TVs and computers.[10]
- Power strips and surge protectors are a handy way to shut off multiple electronics at once.
- You could also unplug your electronics completely when you aren't using them.
- If you have kids at home, encourage them to unplug their video game consoles and other electronics once they're done using them.[11]
[Edit]Install LED lightbulbs. - Traditional, incandescent lightbulbs use a lot of energy.[12] LED lights are a little pricier, but they use a lot less energy and can last over 20 times longer than a traditional bulb.[13]
- Some environmental advocates recommend switching to compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs. While CFL bulbs are better than incandescent lights, they still aren't as energy-efficient as LED bulbs.
[Edit]Set up solar lights. - Solar lights are powered by sunlight instead of fossil fuels.[14] Place these lights in a bright, sunny area, so your lights can stay illuminated during the night.[15]
- Solar lights operate best when their batteries can soak up 8 hours of sunlight a day, but they can still work in less sunny areas.
- You can buy solar lights at home improvement stores, or at online marketplaces.
[Edit]Raise or lower your thermostat. - Adjusting your thermostat during cold and warm weather can lower your emissions. When it's really hot outside, turn your thermostat up higher than you normally would. Similarly, lower the thermostat by during the winter months. Believe it or not, these small adjustments can make a big impact on your carbon footprint.[16]
[Edit]Lower your water heater temperature. - Set your heater to instead of . This small change can make a big difference in your carbon footprint—and chances are, you won't even notice a change in your baths and showers. Besides just saving energy, lowering your water heater will also save you money on your bill.[17]
[Edit]Do your laundry with cold water. - Cold water creates less emissions than warm or hot water. If you do around 2 loads of wash each week on a cold water setting, you can actually reduce your annual carbon dioxide emissions by up to .[18]
[Edit]Switch to a low-flow showerhead. - Low-flow showerheads lower your carbon dioxide emissions.[19] Stop by your local home improvement store and see what kinds of models are available. Once you make the switch, you might save up to of carbon dioxide overall.[20]
- Taking short showers is another great way to lower your carbon footprint.
[Edit]Get less at the grocery store. - Only buy what you need when you go food shopping. Plan ahead for the coming days and weeks, so you have a rough idea of how much food you'll need. Then, check your refrigerator to see which ingredients you already have on hand, so you don't buy something extra by mistake. Reducing your food waste is a great way to lower your carbon footprint overall—plus, you'll save money in the process![21]
- Don't throw out your extra ingredients if you end up buying too much. Instead, freeze them for a later meal.
- In the United States, the average household actually wastes about 40% of their food.
[Edit]Try out a plant-based diet. - Meat-based diets aren't great for the environment. Cows, which make up the red meat industry, create a lot of methane emissions. Instead, think about making the switch to a vegetarian or pescatarian diet. If you really want to lower your carbon footprint, give the vegan diet a try.[22]
- A pescatarian diet is where you cut out meat, but still eat fish and seafood.[23]
[Edit]Buy sustainable or recycled clothing. - Believe it or not, clothing is a big source of waste. Unfortunately, a lot of clothing manufacturers don't make high-quality, sustainable clothing. As you shop for new clothes, look for a fair trade logo on the garment, or stop by vintage or secondhand shops. If you have a lot of unwanted clothes, donate or repurpose them instead of tossing them out.[24]
- Shopping for clothes sustainably can help lower your carbon footprint overall.
[Edit]Drive your car less. - Biking, walking, and using public transit are great alternatives to driving. Unfortunately, cars are responsible for a lot of greenhouse emissions. If you can, look for ways you can travel on foot or by bike.[25] Grabbing a ride on a train or even carpooling with friends are other great ways to reduce your carbon footprint.[26]
- If you're on the market for a new car, consider switching to a hybrid or electric vehicle. If you live in the US, look for "SmartWay" vehicles, which are endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).[27]
[Edit]Maintain your car. - The way you drive your car can increase or decrease your carbon footprint. When you hit the brakes or gas pedal really quickly, you end up wasting fuel and decreasing your car's mileage. Instead, do your best to drive carefully and within the speed limit. Additionally, get your car inspected regularly—this can help boost both your mileage and fuel economy.[28]
[Edit]Fly less often. - Air travel creates a lot of greenhouse gas emissions. If you fly pretty frequently, look for nonstop flights instead of routes with a lot of layovers, as jets create more emissions when they're taking off and touching down. While you're at it, purchase an economy ticket instead of flying business class, which is more environmentally friendly.[29]
- A small economy seat only makes up a fraction of an airplane's total emissions, while a first-class seat makes up a larger percentage.
[Edit]Invest in energy-efficient appliances. - Shop for appliances with an Energy Star label. The Energy Star label helps you identify the most energy-efficient appliances on the market. All kinds of appliances, like air conditioners, water heaters, freezers, furnaces, and refrigerators, can come with this label. While they're a bit pricier up front, Energy Star appliances will actually save you money in the long run.[30]
[Edit]Contact your government representative. - Invite your kids to design a postcard, drawing, or letter. Explain the basics of climate change to your children, and what the government can do to help. Then, let your kids unleash their creativity through postcards, sketches, and handwritten notes, where they can ask the government to address climate change in the community. Mail everything to your local mayor or government representative. Even if you don't hear back, remind your kiddos that they're making a difference![31]
- You could invite your kids to draw a picture of the Earth, or sketch pictures of nature and wildlife.
- Vote for government officials who support green policies.[32]
- Bring reusable shopping bags with you whenever you head to the store.[33]
- Consider switching your home to a renewable energy source, like solar or wind energy.[34]
- If you have the option, watch movies on a smart TV instead of a game console, as smart TVs use a lot less energy.[35]
- Plant a tree in your backyard. Once it's fully-grown, a tree can soak up to 1 ton of carbon dioxide in its lifespan.[36]
[Edit]Warnings - Don't set your refrigerator or freezer lower than you need to. The United States Department of Energy suggests leaving your refrigerator between , and your freezer around .[37]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Decide Between the Peloton Bike and Bike Plus Posted: 12 Sep 2021 05:00 PM PDT If you're considering buying from Peloton, you've already landed on one of the best brands for at-home fitness. Once you have settled on a Peloton subscription, all you need is your own equipment! Peloton's bikes are top of the class, but with new releases and classic bikes, which one is right for you? There are a few important aspects you'll want to consider: size, price, and versatility, to name a few. Read on for an in-depth review of the Peloton Bike and the Peloton Bike+. [Edit]The Peloton Bike - The original Peloton bike has a smaller frame and a smaller sticker price than its successor, but fewer add-ons. The Peloton bike boasts the ability to partake in the Peloton series spin classes with its touch screen and magnetic resistance knob.
- Price. The Peloton Bike is Peloton's cheapest bike ever. As of September 2021, the Peloton Bike starts at $1,495, or a monthly payment of $39.
- Size. This bike has a 4' by 2' footprint, making it easy to store in any corner of your home. The bike also comes with a 21.5'' HD touch screen, though it does not rotate like the Bike+. The screen may make it a little harder to do off-bike classes (like strength training), but not impossible.
- Features. With a Peloton All-Access subscription ($39/month), you receive access to live classes, individual profiles for household members, live mid-workout fitness metrics, leaderboards to compete against other Peloton members, and special event programming. [1]
- Final thoughts. The Peloton Bike is best for people purchasing their first at-home cycling bike or people who don't want to spend too much on an at-home workout system.
[Edit]The Peloton Bike+ - The Peloton Bike + is the newest high-end Peloton, adding features to the original for cyclers seeking more variety and control in their at-home workouts. Though this Peloton offering is the most expensive bike, you pay for a large rotating screen, high-quality cardio equipment, and a great sound system.[2]
- Price. This model is a bit pricier than the original, starting at $2,495 with a $64-month membership fee for classes and workouts.
- Size. The Bike+ has the same 4' by 2' footprint as the original Peloton Bike, but it is six inches taller. The 23.8" HD touch screen rotates 180 degrees for classes where you may need to get off your bike so the Bike+ will require a little more space. The Bike+ also weighs 140 pounds, five pounds more than the Bike.
- Features. With a Peloton All-Access subscription ($39/month), you receive access to live classes, individual profiles for household members, live mid-workout fitness metrics, leaderboards to compete against other Peloton members, and special event programming.
- Apple Gym Kit Integration. With this feature, you can pair your Apple Watch with the Bike+ to sync your performance metrics between the two devices including heart rate, energy output, and more. This makes keeping track of your fitness metrics easier and more efficient than ever.
- Resistance Knob Auto Follow. Although the Peloton Bike comes with a resistance knob, some classes will ask you to adjust your resistance during class to make cycling easier or harder. The Peloton Bike+ will automatically adjust to the instructor's recommended resistance, so you can stay on track without having to pause your workout.
- Final thoughts. The Peloton Bike+ is best for serious at-home bikers who are ok with spending more to access the special features that come with it.
[Edit]Other Major Differences Between The Bikes - Besides price and the additional features like Auto Follow and Apple GymKit on the Bike+, there are a few other notable differences between the two bikes.
- Sound System. The Bike+ has 4-channel audio with 2x3 watt tweeters and 2x10 watt woofers, while the Bike has a 2x10 watt sound system. [3] If those technical terms don't mean much to you, know that the Bike+ has a more intense, richer sound system than the Bike. Both bikes are compatible with Bluetooth.
- Tech. The Bike+ comes with a USB-C charging port while the Bike comes with a USB port. If you want to charge your other devices while riding, you might consider which ports best serve you. [4]
- It's a win-win. In our opinion, you can't go wrong with either of these Peloton models, but hopefully these quick metrics have given you a better idea on which one will be your ideal bike. Happy cycling!
[Edit]References |
| How to Make Your Own Beauty Products Posted: 12 Sep 2021 09:00 AM PDT Are you interested in making makeup, hair, and skincare products for yourself or to start your own line of beauty products? You don't need to have fancy or expensive ingredients to make beauty products on your own. In fact, you probably have most of the necessary ingredients in your home already! Making your own beauty products at home is as simple as gathering the materials and mixing them together. Doing so will save you money and keep you looking your best! [Edit]Creating Skincare Products - Create a body wash using honey, coconut oil, and castile soap. Use of each ingredient. Stir them together in a glass or plastic container. Then, apply to a wet washcloth, pouf, or straight onto your body in the shower. Lather up, then rinse away the soap.[1]
- If desired, you may also add a 10 to 15 drops of an essential oil to give your body wash a nice scent, such as lavender, peppermint, chamomile, or orange.
- Make a body scrub with equal parts sugar and oil. Combine 1/2 cup (120 g) of sugar and 1/2 cup (120 mL) of olive or coconut oil in a glass or plastic container. Stir to combine the ingredients together. Apply the scrub to your skin in the shower and work it around to slough off dry, dead skin. Rinse thoroughly to remove the remaining scrub.[2]
- Add 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) of vanilla extract to give your body scrub a pleasant scent.[3]
- Mix up some body oil using olive oil. Making your own lotion is a great way to ensure that only natural ingredients go into it, but if you don't have the time or ingredients, just use olive as lotion![4]
- Try adding a few drops of peppermint, lavender, lemon, or clary sage essential oil to give the oil a nice scent.
- Whip up a facial mask using ingredients in your kitchen. Facial masks come in many different varieties. You can make a facial mask using food from your kitchen and achieve the same results as a pre-made mask you'd find in a beauty supply store.[5]
- Combine 1/2 of an avocado, 1 tbsp (15 mL) of yogurt, and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of honey for a moisturizing mask.
- Whisk egg whites with orange juice and turmeric for a pore minimizing mask.
- Mix honey with cinnamon and lemon for a calming face mask.
- Stir raw oats into honey and mashed banana for a redness-reducing mask.
[Edit]Making Haircare Products - Create a simple shampoo using equal parts castile soap and water. Pour of castile soap and of water into a plastic or glass container. Then, stir the soap and water together gently to combine them. Wet your hair and apply a quarter-sized amount (about 15 mL) to your hair. Work it in with your fingertips and then rinse it away.[6]
- Mix in 1 tbsp (15 mL) of olive oil for a moisturizing shampoo.
- Add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil to create a scented shampoo.
- Mix up your own conditioner using ingredients from your kitchen. Mix 1 mashed banana or avocado, or of plain, whole-milk yogurt with 1 tsp (5 mL) of coconut or olive oil, and 1 tsp (5 mL) of honey. Apply the conditioner to your hair after you shampoo it. Let it sit for about 3 minutes, then rinse your hair thoroughly to get all of the conditioner out.[7]
- Keep in mind that this mixture won't keep at room temperature. Put it in an air-tight container and store it in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- If you want something you can spritz into your hair to help detangle it, make a leave-in conditioner.
- Combine gelatin and water for a natural hairspray. Add 1 tsp (5 g) of gelatin to of hot water. Stir the gelatin into the water until it dissolves. Let the water cool, and then transfer the gelatin hairspray to a spray bottle. Spritz it onto wet or dry hair as needed.[8]
- You can store the hairspray at room temperature for about 6 months, but shake it before each use as the gelatin may separate from the water.
- Make hair gel out of aloe vera gel. Purchase pure aloe vera gel from a store, measure out 1/2 cup (120 mL). Mix in about 20 drops of essential oil if desired to add scent to the hair gel.[9]
- Store the hair gel in an air-tight container and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 months.
[Edit]Mixing up Your Own Makeup - Combine beeswax, coconut oil, and cocoa butter for lip balm. Combine 1/4 cup (60 g) of grated beeswax, 2 tbsp (30 mL) of cocoa butter, 3 tbsp (45 mL) of coconut oil, and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of almond oil in a glass or plastic container. Melt the ingredients by microwaving them for 15 seconds at a time and stirring.[10]
- Transfer the lip balm to small containers or lip balm pots while it is still warm and let it cool. The lip balm will become solid when it is cool.
- Apply to your lips as needed.
- Make eye shadow using eye shadow pigments. You can purchase eye shadow pigments online and combine different colors to create your own custom eye shadow. Keep the powder loose, or mix about 1 tsp (5 g) of pigment with a few drops of isopropyl alcohol to form a paste that you can transfer to an eye shadow pan. Press the paste with a paper towel to remove the excess liquid.[11]
- Make sure that the pigments you use to make eyeshadow are safe to use for eye makeup!
- Create your own mascara. Making your own mascara is easy with a few special ingredients! Combine 2 tsp (10 mL) of coconut oil, 4 tsp (20 mL) of pure aloe vera, and 1 tsp (5 g) of grated beeswax in a small pan. Melt the ingredients over low heat on your stove, then remove them from the heat. Then, add about 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) of activated charcoal or cocoa powder to the mixture and stir to combine them. Transfer the liquid to a clean mascara tube.[12]
- Charcoal will make your mascara black, while cocoa powder will make it brown.
[Edit]Warnings - Always read the instructions for use of essential oils very carefully as some may react with others and most should be used in very specific quantities only. Test for allergic reactions first (or ask the pharmacist for more information) and if pregnant, only use oils with a physician's agreement.
- Never use any of the above products if they contain an ingredient you are allergic to.
- If you are allergic to bee pollen, you may be allergic to honey. Do not use any of the above containing honey if you are at risk for allergic reaction.
- If any irritation occurs, discontinue use immediately. Individual skin sensitivity can include skin irritation, breathing problems, sneezing and rashes.
- If you choose to wash your hair with egg, be sure not to use water that is too hot, or you'll end up with scrambled eggs in your hair, literally!
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
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