Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Help Save the Rainforest

Make one of your New Year's resolutions a commitment to live your life in a way that helps save the rainforest. Making a few simple changes can make a big difference:

1. Reduce your paper and wood consumption since logging companies are cutting down some of the most endangered forests on the planet to make wood and paper products. How can you help - use both sides of each piece of paper, purchase paper with high post-consumer recycled content or tree-free paper, use your own cloth bags at the grocery store, use cloth napkins and towels, and avoid disposable paper plates and cups. When you need wood for home projects, choice reclaimed or recycled lumber or Forest Stewardship Council certified wood.

2. Reduce your oil consumption. Oil exploration is a threat to ecosystems and can result in massive deforestation. Also the burning of fossil fuels is the leading cause of global warming. When purchasing a car choose one that gets good gas mileage, carpool, use local mass transport, ride your bike or walk when possible.

3. Reduce your beef consumption as the U.S.'s demand for meat has resulted in two-thirds of Central America's rainforests being cleared.

4. Hold businesses accountable for their actions. If a company's actions are socially or environmentally irresponsible write the company to voice your concerns and let the company know you will boycott it until they change their practices.

5. Support companies that sell items that protect the rainforest. Check out www.therainforestsite.com

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