Simple ways to live sustainably

10 Simple Things You Can Do to Cut Energy Use, Save Money, & Address Climate Change

 1. Change the lighting in your house or apartment to LED lighting

 2. Turn down the thermostat in the winter and up in the summer

3. Turn off lights and computers when not in use

4. Plant a tree

5. Cover pots when cooking on the stovetop

6. Purchase appliances with an Energy Star® Logo

7. Compost your food waste

8. Reduce your shower time

9. Dry laundry on a clothesline or drying rack

  10. Bicycle to work and to the store instead of driving

To Learn More

• ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability: ICLEI is an international association of over 1,220 local, regional, and national governments and governmental organizations who have committed to sustainable development.
• Massachusetts Climate Action Network: MCAN is a non-profit organization made up of locally organized groups working to reduce the impact of climate change.
• Northeast Sustainable Energy Association: NESEA is an organization based in Greenfield, MA that seeks to advance the adoption of sustainable energy practices in the built environment.
• Sustainable Performance Institute: An independent non-profit organization based in Boston with the mission of mainstreaming sustainable development through training professionals and consulting for companies, government, and organizations.
• Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources: Visit the DOER's website to learn about the many initiatives that have contributed to Massachusetts being named the #1 state in the nation for energy efficiency.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: The EPA offers lot of information about environmental issues, policies, and programs. The site contains advice on how you can conserve energy as well as ways you can help your own community, such as those described in their Act Locally section.
• U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities: The Clean Cities program supports local actions to reduce petroleum use in transportation through nearly 100 coalitions across the country.
• U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: EERE is the federal government's office that invests in clean energy and the improvement of energy efficiency practices.