I am not interested in debating the semantics and politics surrounding climate change, but I am interested in keeping our planet clean. If you have ever hiked at a major park or taken part in beachside clean-up, then you know that there is plastic in the ocean and plastic in the trees and plastic everywhere. It seems that as a nation we are not going to be taking immediate action towards addressing climate change anytime soon… what can we do, as individuals, to decrease our carbon footprint?

1. 1. 1. BYOB- Bring your own bag. Chicago just rolled out a $.07 bag tax that has motivated many to start carrying their own. I LOVE these baggus. 
      2. My sister took part in a beach clean-up along Lake Michigan last year, and since then I have not been allowed to use disposable straws. Do we event need straws? SOMETIMES a smoothie or iced coffee really is best sipped through a straw. Get a set of reusable straws and always keep one in your purse so you are ready at the coffee shop. Don’t let this happen.
      3. This shower timer has been a bit of a morning-routine/water bill game changer for me. It runs for 5 minutes before it needs to be flipped, which means if you want a 10 minute shower, you know to flip it once. Otherwise, that 5-10 minute shower easily turns into 15-30 minutes… and now you’re late for work, and you wasted 2 gallons of water for every minute spent in the shower. Two gallons of water is more than you are drinking in a day, and could save an entire family from dehydration. Time your showers!