Earth day 2015 - what can you do

"Green" is lifestyle, the reality is that, like any lifestyle change, the small steps can make a world of difference. Going green doesn't mean you suddenly have to start a compost box. It can be as simple turning off the lights when you're not in a room. Here are a few of our best tips for simple things that can make a big difference - besides Earth is the only planet we have, best we look after her.

Turn off the water

Turn off the water and fill up a cup while you brush your teeth. Turn off the water while you lather in the shower or wash your hands. These simple actions can save thousands of litres of water each year....and extra important here on the North Coast where we have seen first hand the effects of drought.

Turn off the lights

Yes, we know, Eskom does this for us anyway. But no excuse not to do the right thing anyway. As you leave a room, turn off the lights. This can reduce your energy consumption tremendously. Don’t just stop at your home, but take it to your office or child’s school. Many times companies keep lights on during the day, although an office may not be in use. Turn down your geyser temperature (heating water, then adding cold water to cool it again is just plain weird)

Reuse your water bottles

This not only helps to save the earth, but also money. Make it a habit to not buy water, rather to have your own bottle that you refill because it helps eliminate waste. However, if you have to buy water, please make sure to recycle those plastic bottles!

Donate old clothing and appliances

Many people have bags of clothes that their children have outgrown, toys they no longer play with and clothes that they no longer wear. Instead of tossing the items, donate them to a local church or organization for those less fortunate. Toy swaps are also a great way to avoid discarding older toys. This is recycling ....keep stuff out of landfill sites.

Eat less meat

Meat production is one of the activities that has the biggest impact on our planet and climate change - and often not a pretty process either. Reduce your meat consumption and eat less fish (experts warn that fish stocks are likely to totally collapse by 2050 at this rate...in South Africa more than half our fish stock are considered over exploited, not ayoba) .....if you must, make sure you support local and know where it comes from.

Keep it local

Supporting local business, small business has a huge positive benefit on the environment, less travel, less logistics involved in getting products to you.

Finally, get out into nature

As the famous quote goes “In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” ....get out into nature and learn about the wildlife and incredible nature that we have here in Salt Rock, it really is a special place. Understanding the role nature plays is the very first step

Happy Earth Day, be the difference you want to see