Making a Difference
Reducing Pollution

Things you can do inside the home:
§ Think twice about buying "disposable" products. (They really aren't disposable and are extravagant wastes of the world's resources.)
§ Buy paper products instead of plastic if you must buy "disposables." They break down better in the environment and don't deplete the ozone layer as much.
§ Avoid buying food or household products in plastic or Styrofoam containers. They can't be recycled, deplete the ozone layer, and are not biodegradable.
§ Don’t buy wood that isn’t certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and SmartWood.
§ Use the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible.

Things you can do outside:
§ Plant trees or other vegetation to offset your carbon footprint.
§ Opt for an alternative to a grass lawn (which uses a lot of water, fertilizer, and doesn’t provide shelter for wildlife). Try a non-traditional yard where you can liven up your home and create habitats for animals by planting a variety of native plants.
§ Avoid using pesticides; use natural predators (such as the praying mantis) and insect deterring plants (onions) to deter pests in the garden.
§ Pull weeds instead of using herbicides, or better yet let them grow.
§ Avoid use of chemical fertilizers (which causes pollution, and helps create excessive algae blooms in the ocean, aka red tides) or peat moss (which comes from ancient bogs that cannot regenerate), instead make your own mulch and use organic fertilizers only when needed.
§ Take extra plastic and rubber pots back to the nursery for reuse.
§ Put up birdfeeders, birdhouses, and birdbaths (precaution: due to bird flu, do not place near or around domesticated birds, report any dead birds to local health authorities.)
§ Keep outside trashcans closed. Use lids that snap shut to prevent wild life from eating hazardous materials and becoming a nuisance.
§ Keep your car tuned up, not only will proper upkeep save your pocket book but it helps prevent oil & other hazardous materials from leaking onto your driveway, into the local water system, and ultimately into oceans and streams.
§ Never litter. Keep a small trash bag in your car.

Food for Thought
§ Take a reusable bag grocery shopping, to the drugstore etc. If you must use plastic bags, recycle them.
§ Store food in re-usable containers instead of plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
§ Re-use brown paper bags to line your trash can instead of plastic liners.
§ Buy locally-grown food and locally-made products when possible; they’ll be fresher and less fuel is used for transport.
§ Buy organic and free-trade certified coffee to ensure no pesticides were used and that the grower received a fair price.

Make it a Lifestyle
§ Learn about conservation issues in your community or state. Write your legislators and let them know where you stand on the issues.
§ Teach children to respect nature and the environment. Take them on hikes or camping. Help them plant a tree or build a birdhouse. Be a good example and role model.
§ Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to save resources.
§ Join a conservation organization and volunteer for conservation projects.
§ Donate to conservation organizations if your income permits.

Source:  http://marinebio.org/