I would like to help the environment by using less water and electricity ..but how do i do that as a child? My parents are not intrested to changing to fluorescent light bulbs or to renewable energy..so I thought that I made a change…What are some simple steps I can do everyday to save water and electricity? I wash my hands very often since I do not like germs..and I use a lot of electricity since I go on the computer and leave the lights on usually..so I want to save more..I would like to know where I can buy solar paneled things ( eg. school things..like calculators..etc ) in my ares..which is Australia , New South Wales , Sydney and also please if you can..include some extras tips I can do..( eg. recycling..etc )
thankyou and please help! thanks 
September 30th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
WATER-
*Use hand sanitizer instead of water sometimes
*Put a timer in your bathroom to take 5 minute showers, it will help you learn how to shower more quickly, to save water
ELECTRICY-
*Solar lights outside instead of outdoor ones
*Energy-sufficient lightbulbs
*Keep blinds open in the day for natural light instead of bulbs
PLASTIC/PAPER-
*Double-sided printing
*Pack a lunch box or tote or something instead of a plastic or paper bag
*Totes at the grocery store instead of plastic
*Use a water bottle everyday to refill, instead of getting new ones
*Don’t use plastic utensils or anything for eating/drinking
*Recycle
*Use reusable containers instead of ziplock baggies
September 30th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Try wrapping a brick in several plastic bags and shove it in your cistern of your loo. Then see that you switch off all appliances when not in use especially your computer, games machine and TV! Use a man-powered lawn mower which will give you useful exercise as well as saving on energy. Solar panels are OK but how much energy did they take to be manufactured and delivered to you country?
September 30th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Some really easy things are:
turning lights off when u leave a room
using a half flush instead of full
recycling paper ….i know it doesnt sound very detailed..just recycling as much as u can..like even yoghurt containers and stuff…
walking instead of driving
drying washing outside instead of in a tumble dryer
shortening your showers
etcetc.
there are lots if u just think …
good luck
September 30th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
You may be able to convince your parents to switch to CFL lightbulbs by telling them it will save them on their electric bill. I saved about $10 U.S. dollars a month on my bill when I switched. Also you could make sure you turn off the lights when you leave the room and turn off your computer when you’re not using it.
When you’re brushing your teeth, make sure you don’t leave the water running while your brushing. Also try to take shorter showers and urge your mom to use cold water only when washing clothes.
Something else you could do to help the environment is bring your own reusable bags to the store so you can turn down the plastic bags. You can also re-use plastic containers for storing food, putting paint in, or starting plant seedlings (yogurt containers are perfect for plants).
Kim at: http://www.peaceful-organic-planet.com/g…
September 30th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
As a child, it would be difficult for you to buy solar panels, but fluorscent bulbs are good.
Wash your hands less, the germs do go away by washing but they are in the air that you breath and pass through and so they come back as well. So, unless you plan to sit all day inside a well packed, insulated, germ free area, washing hands un-necessarily is a waste. Recycling as you say is good. Save electricity. You seem to be a person with some brains and have put in the answers there in your question.
Sprinkle your lawn. Wipe your bike. Reuse the plastic bags that you get from Target. Segregate your waste…. etc. etc. etc. All these things that you see written down in your book, work. You need to make them work.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
All of these answers are great. Many of them mentioned that you could reuse plastic grocery bags. Although this is a good way to help spare the environment, the number of uses in one of these plastic bags is limited. Try checking out some shopping bags that can be reused over and over again, like http://www.bangalla.com/envirosax-reusablebags.htm
This company focuses on Australian products, so you might be familiar with them already.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Simple things, like turning lights off when not needed, take short showers, turning power points off when appliances are not in use. Changing light bulbs is a good way.
Turning your computer off when not in use. Walking or catching public transport. Recycling plastics and cardboard, eating foods that don’t require much packaging, having a compost bin or a worm farm, taking your own bags when going shopping, turning the tap off when brushing your teeth, and most importantly, spreading the word and leading by example.