Joy feelings magazine September 2019 Issue | Page 27

Here are 30 quick tips to help protect our environment. For more
information and ideas, see the Make a Difference tab on the Public
Interest Center's website.
Clean Air
Painting your house? Use a latex paint. Oil-based paints release
hydrocarbon fumes.
Get a tune-up. Properly maintained vehicles get better gas mileage and
emit fewer pollutants.
Don’t top off your gas tank. Overfilling causes spills that release
hydrocarbons and other toxic chemicals into the air.
Conserve energy. You’ll lower your utility bills and help avoid peak
demands on utility plants.
Don’t burn your yard waste. It’s illegal in many areas of Ohio because
burning yard waste releases mold spores, soot, and other contaminants
that can aggravate allergies and cause respiratory problems.
Plant a tree. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
Park the car. Walk, bike or use mass-transit whenever you can. Vehicle
traffic is a major contributor to smog.