We are 'exceeding our planet's ability to sustain us' or more specifically, we are using 50% more resources than our Earth can provide, according to the Living Planet Report released by the World Wildlife Fund earlier this year. What can you do to help? Reduce waste and conserve our valuable natural resources simply by using these apps with your smartphone!
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| istockphoto |
- Stop junk mail - according to the EPA, we toss a staggering 3 million tons of junk mail every year. PaperKarma is a slick little app that makes it easy to stop getting junk mail, credit card offers and white and yellow pages. Simply take a picture of the item and hit the send button. PaperKarma does the rest!
- Responsible shopping - the GoodGuide app allows you to be informed and shop responsibly at the same time. It's a breeze to use, just scan the bar code on the product and get a 'score' based upon its performance in the categories of health and safety, the environment and social responsibility. It's customizable too, so you can get ratings based upon what's important to you.
- Reduce fuel usage - when your car uses fuel, it releases carbon dioxide into the environment, which contributes to climate change. To reduce fuel usage, try tracking your vehicle's fuel economy with a free app called Mileage Keeper. This handy app makes it easy to track not only your cost per gallon, but add notes after each refueling.
- Go green - another free smartphone app is Recyclebank, where you can earn points for going green, taking a quiz, reading an article from EARTH911 or recycling plastic bottles. Get rewarded with coupons and discounts on anything from groceries to gift cards. A great way to save money and help the environment at the same time!
- Conserve ecosystems - according to Seafood Watch, 85% of our fisheries are being harvested at capacity or are in decline. Choosing seafood that has been fished or farmed responsibly is important for maintaining our fragile ocean ecosystems. The Seafood Watch app from the Monterey Bay Aquarium provides recommendations on sustainable and healthy choices for seafood, so you can always have this information at your fingertips.
