Freshwater Freddie
Leapn Into Action!

It’s easy to see the footprint you leave behind when you walk in the sand. Did you know you leave behind a footprint in your everyday life?

 

A “carbon footprint” is a term you might hear in the news or in school from time to time. An individual or a group’s carbon footprint is measured by the amount of Carbon Dioxide or CO2 that they release into the atmosphere through the things they do every day. Driving a car or even using household appliances releases CO2 into the environment.

 

CO2 is hazardous to the environment when released in large amounts, because it traps heat in the atmosphere, causing temperatures to rise. This is process is known as global warming. This increased temperature may be harmful to things in our natural environment. For instance, global warming can cause unusual weather changes, which could possibly lead to bigger weather problems like hurricanes.

 

Here are a few tips to help you reduce your carbon footprint:

1.)    Carpool with your neighbors

2.)    Walk when possible

3.)    Turn appliances off when you are not using them

4.)    Ask your parents to do all of their weekly shopping in one trip

5.)    Have your mom hang your clothes to dry, rather than putting them in the dryer

 

Put these tips into practice and help preserve the environment for many years to come!

Read: Carbon “Footprint” »

♥ Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and pink and red are the colors of the month…but I have been hearing a lot about another color lately – the color green. Have you ever heard the phrase “going green”? It is a popular phrase these days, but have you ever wondered what it means?

 

If you look, you’ll find the color green in our environment a lot….in grass, trees and flowers, for instance. People associate green with the environment and with doing things to protect the environment. So when someone is “Going Green,” you know they have decided to make good choices for our environment and try to save our natural resources.

 

Being “green” is to choose lifestyles and activities that benefit and preserve the environment, such as recycling, carpooling or cutting back on water usage.

 

As a frog, I have always been green! And I love to share tips on how you can be green too, so check back often for my latest thoughts!  

Read: I ♥ green »

Happy New Year from Freshwater Freddie! The start of a new year is the perfect time to renew your goals or your habits. Did you know the environment renews its resources as well?

 

A renewable resource is one that can recycle itself, such as freshwater or trees. We can use these environmental resources, but there is a limited supply. If we are not careful, we might exhaust our renewable resources and have none left! However, if we manage these resources properly, we can make them last forever. For instance, if we replant trees as we cut them down, we can maintain our forests and still have wood for furniture or paper.

 

ReWa helps to renew the environment be cleaning the water from our homes (from you sink or bathtub) and placing it back in the water environment to be used again. This helps put back the water we take from our local rivers, lakes and streams.

 

Make it your New Year’s resolution to find ways to renew your local resources, so that we can enjoy them for many years to come!

Read: Happy Re-New Year! »

You and your family might recycle here and there, but have you ever thought about the numerous other ways that you can help the environment around your house every day? There are so many things you and your parents can do to be environmentally friendly in each room of your home!

Here are a few to get you started:

In the kitchen: use your good plates and utensils instead of paper plates and cups and plastic utensils; choose “green” cleaners made from products that are non-toxic, biodegradable, and use renewable resources (not petroleum); recycle everything you can; use reusable water bottles and cups; compost kitchen scraps; eat at home; and buy local foods or grow your own.

In the living room: set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer; use a fan to keep cooler at higher room temperatures during the summer and blankets to keep warm in winter and consider this for the bedroom as well; and change light bulbs.

In the bathroom: take showers instead of baths; turn water off when you brush your teeth; buy recycled products; use those green cleaners I mentioned earlier; and use exhaust fans wisely.

In the laundry or utility room: wash in cold water and wash full loads; use refillable detergent containers; dry several loads back to back; hang clothes to dry; and keep south-facing blinds closed during the summer.

Read: Green Tips for Every Room in the House! »

Hi, it’s me Freshwater Freddie!  Did you know that grease isn’t the only harmful thing people put into our water?  There are other types of waste, called hazardous waste, which can damage the Upstate’s water!  Many products you use in your home and yard have hazardous chemicals in them like cleaning products, paints and pesticides.  There are lots of things around your house that may not look hazardous but can be if they aren’t disposed of in the right way such as:

·         Batteries

·         Fluorescent lights

·         Aerosol cans

·         Used cooking oils

·         Thermometers

·         Prescription medications

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates that the average household disposes one pound of hazardous waste every year.  That adds up to about 1,150,000 pounds from households in South Carolina!  Most of these hazardous waste products aren’t harmful unless they are used, stored or disposed of in the wrong way.  Unfortunately most people improperly dispose of hazardous waste by:

·         Pouring it down the drain

·         Throwing it in the trash

·         Burning it

·         Pouring it in a ditch

·         Burying it in a field

·         Dumping it in a vacant lot

By not disposing of them correctly, hazardous waste products can contaminate our lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater.  It only takes a small amount of hazardous waste contamination to cause big problems with the water that we use in our homes.  That is why disposing of hazardous waste properly is so important.  You can play a big role in protecting our water and our environment by helping us teach people the proper way to dispose of hazardous wastes!  Here are just a few ways you can help when disposing of hazardous wastes:

·         Follow the instructions on product’s label.

·         Use all of the product – if you use all of it, there will be no hazardous waste to get rid of!

·         Recycle the product by contacting your local recycling center and ask what wastes they accept.

·         Donate any unused products to local service organizations. 

Another way you can help is by using different products.  When you and your family are shopping, try buying products that are nontoxic or less harmful to the environment.  Also, remember to only buy as much as you need so you won’t have any waste to get rid of!  By looking for alternatives and getting rid of waste in the right way, you can help keep our water safe!

Check back next month when I’ll have more exciting and fun ways for you to help keep your community clean and healthy!

Read: Being Safe with Hazardous Waste! »

Freshwater Freddie here…I am busy getting ready for Halloween! I have been thinking about several different ways to enjoy this holiday but still protect the environment.

This is what I have so far…

·         Use candlelight or battery-powered lights at your Halloween parties and on Halloween night. This will save electricity and set an eerie tone too!

·         Consider giving out reusable or organic items to trick-or-treaters, such as small books or toys, rather than candy. Candy wrappers produce tons of waste!

·         When trick or treating, don’t use disposable bags. Try using a pillowcase. Not only will they not tear through, they won’t produce as much waste.

·         Walk or ride your bike while trick or treating.

·         Reuse Halloween decorations each year, instead of throwing them away.

I am going to keep thinking of ways I can be environmentally-friendly this Halloween, and I encourage you to do the same!

Read: Halloween Fun with Freddie! »

Labor Day is coming up, and for many of us that means a trip to the beach or the lake! There are so many fun and relaxing activities to do while on the water. A favorite of mine is riding boats in the ocean or lake. However, boats can cause a lot of pollution, damaging the environment. The gasoline used to run the engine releases harmful pollutants into the air. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your boat ride and minimize the damaging effects.

Here are some helpful ways to reduce your boat pollution:

• Never leave the boat running if you are not using it.
• Do not take the boat out on the water unless necessary.
• Gas will evaporate in the air, causing pollution, so make sure you transport it to places that do not get direct sunlight.
• Try to buy a new, cleaner marine engine.
• Take extra precautions to avoid gas spills.

Have fun relaxing on the water, and don’t forget to pack your lunch in a lunchbox with reusable containers!

Read: Labor Day Fun! »

I am leaping with excitement that it’s almost time to go back to school!  It’s been a fun summer around the pond, but I can’t wait to see all my friends and meet my new teachers.  There are lots of ways you can help the environment as you get ready for another school year:

• Buying new school supplies every year can be a huge waste of money and can result in materials that will only end up in a landfill somewhere.  Instead, have your mom or dad help you go through your old pencils, markers, and other supplies to see what still works and is usable.  Only buy those supplies which you still need.
• As you get ready for school in the mornings, be sure to turn off the water while you brush your teeth.  This can help conserve a lot of water.   Another great way to save is to bring a lunch box instead of brown paper bags everyday. 
• Traveling to and from school can put a lot of pollutants in the air.  Ask your parents if you can carpool with friends, or even ride the bus.  This will help keep the air cleaner for you to breathe.

Together we can all make this school year a fun and safe one! 

Read: Going Back to School! »

We all know the Fourth of July is surrounded by red, white, and blue.  This Independence Day I’m going to go green, and you can too!  The 4^th of July is a great way to celebrate our country’s history, but a lot of the fun-filled activities can pollute the air.  Here are some tips on how to keep our environment safe during your celebrations.

·         It’s always fun to have a family picnic to celebrate America’s birthday.  Instead of using plastic utensils, try recycled paper products.  It is an easy way to avoid using your breakable family dinnerware, while helping the environment as well.

·         If you are going to be barbequing, tell your dad to use a propane tank instead of charcoal.   Charcoal sends pollutants into the air that are harmful.

·         It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without fireworks; however, these amazing displays contain many dangerous chemicals.  Avoid shooting off your own fireworks from home, and instead take your parents to a local event or neighborhood gathering where they will already be doing fireworks.  Plus, you can carpool, reducing the harmful pollutants released into the air by motor vehicles.

Helping keep the environment clean is a great way to celebrate our country’s independence.  By doing this, you can help ensure that our beautiful country will be safe to live in for a long time to come.  Happy 4^th of July!

Read: Celebrating the Fourth of July »

School is out and summer is here!  Going to the beach is a great way to have some fun in the sun with your family and friends on your summer vacation.  The oceans are such an important part of the environment, so it is necessary to take care of them.  Here are some tips to use while you’re at the beach to keep our oceans safe and healthy.

·         Don’t bring plastic such as bags, bottles, etc. to the beach.  Instead use re-usable water bottles and containers.  If you do bring plastic, make sure to recycle it.

·         It’s a lot of fun to bring your pets along with you to the beach.  However, be sure to pick up their waste, so it does not get into the ocean and pollute the water.  Most beaches have waste bags handy especially for this purpose.

·         If you are staying close to the beach, ride your bike from your house to the ocean.  Nitrogen given off by cars causes plants in the ocean to die.  Riding your bike is also a great way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors! 

·         Get involved…volunteer!  Bring your parents along and participate in a beach clean-up.  It’s a great way to help out and have fun!

Remember that rain washes sewer water into the oceans, so follow these tips at home too!

Read: Summer is Here! »