A website from UGA Cooperative Extension

As I am sure, many of you are aware of the Coronavirus. As humans slow down the pace of economic activity to try and prevent the spread of COVID-19, it seems the environment is breathing a sigh of relief. Air quality over Europe and China has temporarily improved and has showed a reduction in the levels of nitrogen dioxide. With any luck, COVID-19 will disappear but that doesn’t mean the environment cannot continue to improve.  

Here are a few actionable steps to take to reduce your carbon footprint:

Of course, reduce, reuse and recycle! Avoid single use plastics and opting for reusables. Try being mindful of what you really need, and properly recycle any plastic, paper, glass, or metal that comes into your life. 

Bike more and drive less. Traditional cars put out a lot of exhaust, which pollutes the air. Vehicles produce one- third of all U.S air pollution. Challenge yourself to drive less and bike more on the weekends. 

Conserve water and protect your waterways. Being mindful of how much water you use is essential because there’s only so much water on this earth. 

One way to conserve water is when you brush your teeth, shut the water off. Only turn it on when it’s time to rinse your mouth. 

Switch your lights off when you leave the room and unplug electronic devices when they are not in use. 

These tips will not solve all problems the environment faces but it will certainly help!