Environmental Tips for Nova Scotians

Making choices that are good for the health of your family, the environment and your community is not as hard as it seems. Although you may feel powerless to make any significant change, be assured that every single effort is meaningful. Individual efforts lead to social change and lasting improvements. Be part of the solution and leave a positive legacy for your children and grandchildren.

Start by making a commitment:

“I will make one environmental improvement in my life today.”

Spend a bit of time thinking about ways that you can make a difference. As you go about your everyday tasks, stop for a second and ask these simple questions:

• What is the environmental effect of this action or decision?
• Is there a way to prevent or reduce the environmental impact of my activities and decisions?

You’ll soon discover that there are many ways to make a difference with very little effort, it’s really all about a different mindset.

If you need some help, have a look at the following resources prepared by Nova Scotia Environment.

General Pollution Prevention Tips

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It's easy to prevent the creation of waste and pollutants. Pollution Prevention at Home, Work, and Business (PDF: 107k)

Change your shopping habits

Exploding consumerism is one of the most important environmental issues globally. North Americans purchase products on a daily basis. Some of these purchases are necessary while others are convenience and luxury items. Everything we purchase has a negative impact on land, water, air and natural ecosystems.

Environmentally Responsible Consumer's Guide

• Shopping list for a healthier world (wallet folder) (PDF: 1.1mb)
• Buy Less (PDF: 175k)
• Shopping Tips (PDF: 675k)

You Asked About ...

• Last Minute - Green Christmas Gift Ideas (PDF: 321k)
• Buying an Environmentally Preferable Vehicle (PDF: 336k)
• Guide to Hybrid (gasoline-electric) Technology (PDF: 336k)

Chemical use reduction

Chemicals are ubiquitous in our society. Although, chemical substances provide many benefits, the environmental and human health effects are not known or not fully understood for many of these chemicals. If you are interested in taking precautions by reducing the use of unnecessary potentially harmful chemicals, you will be interested in our future publication.