• When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

• Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.

• Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

• Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

• Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.

• Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.

• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.

• Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.

• For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.

• Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.

• Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.

• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.

• Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.

• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.

• If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.

• Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.

• If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.

• We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.

• If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks.

• Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.

• When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.

• Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.

• Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.

• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.

• When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.

• Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.

• Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

• When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.

• Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need to be watered. These useful "rooms" can also add value to your property.

• Collect water from your roof to water your garden.

• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.

• Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.

• Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.

• Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.

• Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed.

• Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.

• Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.

• When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.

• Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.

• Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.

• Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.

• Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.

• Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.

• Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.

• Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.

• To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.

• Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.

• Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.

• Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.

• Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.

• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

• Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.

• Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.

• Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.

• Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.

• Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.

• If your toilet flapper doesn't close after flushing, replace it.

• Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.

• Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.

• Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.

• Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.

• If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.

• Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it's time to water.

• If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.

• When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do.

• When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.

• Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.

• Bathe your young children together.

• Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.

• Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.

• Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.

• Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn at the same time.

• Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time.






Turn down the thermostat.
Turning the thermostat down by just one degree can cut your heating bills by 10%. If enough people did this we could save 3.6 tonnes of CO2 a year.


Keep your water at 60 degrees
Your water doesn’t need to be hotter than 60 degrees so don’t waste energy by heating it over this temperature.


Keep your fridge efficient.
Set your fridge at the correct temperature and make sure you defrost your freezer regularly. An efficient fridge/freezer can help save £35 a year on your electricity bills.


Turn it off
As the MTV ad campaign tells us SWITCH IT OFF!! This means all things electrical from lights to televisions. In fact mobile phone chargers are worth mentioning here. Most people leave their phone plugged in long after it has fully charged. One statistic we found said that only 5% of energy is used to charge a phone if left on overnight. That’s a huge 95% waste of energy…


Buy better light bulbs.
There are lots of energy efficient light bulbs on sale now. Apparently they last twelve times longer than ordinary ones thus saving your money (or at least offsetting the fact they are more expensive….) Also over the course of its lifetime an energy efficient light bulb can save you £100.


Close your curtains.
At dusk close the curtains as this will help keep the heat in.


Fill up.
Fill up your dishwasher and washing machine to the max. This will save energy. It’s also worth taking a look at buying more energy efficient white goods. Look for the labels that show you how environmentally friendly they are.


Boil the minimum amount of water.
That’s right folks. Only put the amount of water you need for a cup of tea in the kettle. Filling the kettle to the top and boiling is a waste of energy. If you accidently do it take a cuppa round to your neighbour. Save the planet and make a friend!
This goes for boiling your vegetables as well. Only boil enough water to cover your veg.


Energy Check your house.
Make sure you have insulation in the right places to stop heat from needlessly being lost. This goes for windows, roofs and water tanks.


Drive Less and Drive Smart.
Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Explore your community mass transit system, and check out options for carpooling to work or school.


Plant a Tree.
If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.






Recycle in a smart way. Some good ways to do this are:

- Throw paper and cardboard in a bag separately from cans, glass and plastics.
- Look for tips on recycling so you know that your efforts will be rewarded with recycled material.
- Cut down on and share magazines, return unwanted catalogs to the sender.



Don't make exceptions at restaurants. If a waiter/waitress brings you napkins, just say no nicely.


Before printing a picture or document, ask yourself, "Do I really need to print this out?" If you're writing a paper for school, most teachers will accept neat handwritten work.


Try to use both sides of your papers. Use a printer that prints on both sides automatically e.g. HP Officejet Pro 8500 A909g Series or a similar printer of other make. Make a draft box(if you are in your office). Put in this box all the papers that have been printed on one side and use them as draft papers.


Make sure any paper you buy (toilet rolls, tissue papers, writing paper) comes from recycled sources.


Re-use paper bags or compost receipts and torn-up bank statements.


Re-use envelopes and make your own cards.


Ask your boss to buy recycled paper for your workplace.


Try to use non "glossy" newspapers, as they are difficult to recycle due to their topped coat of clay.


Stop cutting trees Remember to plant trees.


Re-use wrapping paper. Wrapping paper is hard to recycle.


Write letters to government officials, trying to persuade them to go as paperless as they can.






Learn about biodiversity. Learn all that you can about biodiversity and food issues. Learn about where your food comes from, including about how food is grown and raised around the world. Understanding biodiversity is important to understand how humans should live while respecting the Earth’s finite resources. Ways in which to do further research include:

- Visiting biodiversity websites;
- Asking teachers and lecturers about farming and biodiversity;
- Exploring natural and farming areas; and
- Using your five senses – sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell – to experience biodiversity and how it is integral to your life.


Be aware when shopping. Be informed in your choices when you go shopping. You can buy things that help to protect biodiversity. Individual choices on what you eat and buy are important:

- Whenever possible, choose healthy, local and sustainably produced foods;
- Seek foods that have little packaging;
- Check travel distances; the best food is food that has not been transported over long distances; and
- Buy products from companies that value the environment and people. Remember, companies will sell what people want to buy – so tell companies that you want products that do not harm biodiversity!


Act. There are many ways that you can make a direct difference as an individual. Here are a few ideas on how you can act to protect biodiversity:

- Plant a tree. Make sure it is a local tree species and look after it;
- Keep nearby forests, woodlots, bush and riversides clean;
- Use, reuse or repair things until they are completely worn out;
- Do not use, eat or buy endangered species. Ask your family, friends, community members to avoid buying or using endangered species;
- Avoid using pesticides in family and community gardens;
- Use composting at home. The compost can be added to the family garden or the community garden; and
- Find out where and how your food is grown. Encourage your family to support local or sustainable farming.


Involve others as part of your class, club or local group. Once you have a better understanding of local biodiversity issues, it is time to take action. With your class, club or local conservation group, talk with your local government officials, local farmers and community members about biodiversity. Find out about local priorities for biodiversity and how your class, club or group can help. Together, you can decide if it is best to:

- Start a community biodiversity garden;
- Clean up a local wetland; and
- Teach community members about biodiversity and farming, or something else.


Share. Share your experiences with your family, friends and community members. Encourage them to work with you in helping protect biodiversity.