Reducing Resources

In an effort to reduce the amount of resources consumed and wasted, many individuals and organizations are working to increase resource efficiency. Reducing the amount of energy, water, and other materials used can save money, help preserve the environment, and reduce the strain on resources. There are many ways to conserve resources, including recycling, composting, reducing consumption, and choosing products made with recycled or sustainable materials.

As a professional Realtor® and certified EcoBroker™, I have rounded up the best online resources for the Environmentally-conscious citizens of Earth.

Landfills

• How You Can Reduce Waste – From the EPA, learn about the importance of waste reduction and how you can go green by reducing, reusing, and recycling.
• Eight Ways to Reduce Waste – From the Nature Conservancy, learn how you can make small changes that are eco-friendly and will have a lasting impact.
• Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle First – Why landfills should be your last resort for getting rid of items.
• Central Disposal – Sonoma County’s Central Disposal Site features a full spectrum of waste management programs to serve the 467,000 residents and thousands of businesses in Sonoma County.

Energy

• Harvard’s 5 Tips on Reducing Energy – From Harvard University, see the top five tips on how you can reduce your energy usage.
• Tips for Reducing Energy Consumption – Discover how you can reduce your energy use at home.
• Reduce Energy Usage and Bring Down Energy Costs – See how you can lower your energy costs by decreasing your energy usage and improving energy efficiency.
• 15 Tips on How to Conserve Energy – Learn about energy conservation and how you can improve your energy usage at home.

Automobiles

• Reduce Petrol Consumption – Information about reducing petrol consumption while driving, how to choose the right ‘green’ car, and more.
• Car and Light Truck Emissions – Information about controlling emissions from passenger cars and light trucks.
• Fuel Economy Guide – EPA’s fuel economy guide for current model year cars.

Water

• Sonoma County Water Conservation – Learn about Sonoma County’s Water Conservation.
• Water Footprint Calculator – Calculate your personal water footprint and discover ways to reduce your water usage.
• Take It From the Tap – Sonoma and Marin’s water resource for information on water usage, the importance and vitality of tap water, and how you can help reduce plastic pollution from water bottles.

Pollution

• Types of Pollution – From National Geographic, learn about the top 3 types of pollutants.
• Pollution Prevention and Toxics – Great ideas for preventing pollution where you live.
• Reduce Air Pollution – From the Environmental Protection Agency, learn how you can reduce air pollution.
• NASA-Approved Plants for Improving Air Quality – Check out the 12-NASA-approved plants for improving your air quality and reducing indoor air pollution.

Laws

• Environmental and Consumer Law Division – Environmental regulations and ways to report offenders.
• Environmental Laws and Executive Orders – The Environmental Protection Agency’s list of laws aimed at environmental conservation and protection.
• The Resource Conservation and Recoveries Act (RCRA) – From the EPA, learn about this public law that creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste.
• Senate Bill 1383 – Learn about the California Law aimed at reducing food waste that ultimately ends up in landfills.

Education

• Conserving Earth – From National Geographic, learn all about the Earth’s natural resources and how we can conserve them.
• Environmental Education – Educate yourself on a variety of environmental topics and issues.
• Global Climate Change – From NASA, learn about the impacts of climate change and the changes you can make to help create a better planet.
• The Climate Movement – an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NOAA’s mission to better understand our natural world and help protect its precious resources extends beyond national borders to monitor global weather and climate, and work with partners around the world.
• Project Learning Tree’s Environmental Education – Project Learning Tree uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase students’ understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it.