Environmental

The environmental committee goals are to protect our planet, research environmental issues, outline key partnerships and create-relevant educational material to mobilize all communities to make real changes and bring awareness to environmental problems facing our beautiful homeland and the world.

Our activities will include:

• disseminating of educational materials to local Greek schools and churches, college groups, cultural organizations, newspapers, magazines and media outlets
• devising online workshops, online templates for environmental initiatives
• creating games for youth to play at youth events or schools.
• organizing service projects, local recycling events, park clean ups, tree plantings, and
• organizing visits to National Parks and Reservations.

 The Plant Your Roots in Greece is an opportunity for all Greeks and philhellenes to become aware of the environment and participate through tree planting. It also is a way for younger generations of Greek Youth to strengthen their bonds with their heritage and connect with their culture through participation, a key to any success.  http://www.plantyourrootsingreece.org/

Practice the 3R’s: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!
•    Reduce your waste wherever possible, or any amounts of materials you consume.  
•    Reuse old containers and household items getting maximum use out of everything.  
•    Recycle what products you can and learn what recycling projects exist in your city or town.  

Save Energy!
•    Lower your homes thermostat or air conditioner.  
•    Replace old light bulbs with new fluorescent long life bulbs that save energy.  
•    Unplug appliances that aren’t being used or use smart power strips that stop use to that appliance.  
•    Use cold water to wash clothes and dishes, 85% of energy used in machine washer is used to heat water.  

Save Water!
•    Use low flow showerheads and facet covers that reduce use and increase water pressure.  
•    Lower your use by minimizing gardening and washing use to only when necessary.   
•    Repairing leaky faucets and adding basin hippos like a brick to toilets reduces wasted water.  

Cover those Cracks!
•    Make sure your home’s windows’ and doors’ trims aren’t cracked leaving holes where heat can escape.  
•    Make sure your home is insulated properly keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  

Walk or Bike!
•    This can keep your healthy and cut down on travel expenses.      
•    Use public transportation whenever possible and plan your trips ahead of time.  
•    Carpool when necessary to drive.  
•    Vehicle transportation is one of the largest sources of air, noise and water run off pollution in the country.  

Don’t Throw Away Electronics!
•    Electronics are huge sources of Mercury and other toxins used in their production.  
•    Find local governments that have electronics recycling programs for batteries, electronics and appliances.  
•    If there isn’t a program see if you can help set one up, it’s easy and fun and you’ll get lots of support.  

Use your community and remember to share!
•    Use sites like Craigslist to find used goods that are cheap and reduce waste and new material drain.  
•    Share power tools and appliances with your neighbors, helps make new friends, saves everyone money.    
•    New goods are tomorrow’s trash.  
•    Use local markets to find products and groceries, keep the local economy healthy.

Spread the Word and Learn!
•    Talk to your friends and neighbors to get ideas going.  
•    Find ways to save and ways to help each other.  
•    Read about theses issues and ways to save the Earth and your money on the web and at the library.