How to Save the Environment (for Teens)
Cleaning up the existing damage to our environment and preventing further destruction is a huge job. It can seem like there is no way one person, especially a young person, can make a difference. But you can make a difference, starting with changing some simple everyday habits and working with others to spread the word about the importance of protecting the environment. This is the world of not just your present but your future, so you’re never too young to take action and make a positive difference!
1
Take shorter showers. Yes, everyone wants to look (and smell) his/her best for that special someone or secret crush, but how many rinses and repeats do you really need? A dripping faucet can waste 3,000 gallons a year, about the same amount you can save by halving your daily shower time.[1] That's no drop in the bucket!
It can seem like water is cheap and abundant, but access to clean water is an issue for billions of people around the world. Increasing demand for water also affects rivers and lakes (and what lives there) by reducing levels, changing water flow with dams and reservoirs, and introducing chemicals and waste products.
2
Turn the lights off. You might not pay the electric bill, but you know that the lamp (or TV, stereo, or laptop) costs money to operate. That money pays for the power plants that produce that electricity and usually release pollutants into the environment in the process.
Ask your family to set the furnace temperature lower and the air conditioner higher. Sweaters, open windows and fans will work just fine most days.
Unplug appliances that are not being regularly used. Many electronic devices still draw power even when turned off, sometime known as “vampire” energy drain.
Many states now allow residents to choose their energy supplier. Talk to your family about choosing a supplier that produces electricity with less pollution, via solar, wind, and other options.
3
Ride your bike or walk instead of driving (or being driven). Yes, every teen looks forward to a driver’s license and a first car, but automobiles are one of the primary causes of air pollution. When pedal power won’t cut it, take the bus or carpool. It might not seem as cool as driving yourself, but it is much more fuel efficient.