Ecological Tips
May 2021
Green electricity
When choosing an electricity plan, give preference to the one that includes a higher quote of clean energy. You will reduce your carbon footprint and also save energy upstream. Currently, tariffs are increasingly affordable. Contribute to encourage the generation of cleaner energy!
Energy-efficient transports
When travel, give preference to public transports such as the train. Energy spent per person is lower than that spent traveling in your own vehicle, even if you travel by car with >1 passenger. Opt for electrical vehicles (eletric scooter, eletric bicycle and solar car)! For short and medium distances, walking or cycling are more energy-efficient options. It´s a great opportunity for you to exercise.
Read more about it here!
PC ... turn it on or off?
Do not leave your computer turned on if you are not using it. Leave it in pause mode or turn it off. It will save energy, will reduce energy costs and it will save your PC battery.
Clean your appliances' heat exchangers
Clean the heat exchangers of your appliances at least 2-3 times a year (eg. refrigerator, heaters, dehumidifiers, etc). Because they aren't frequently cleaned, they accumulate dust and fluff, which difficult the heat exchange and in turn puts the appliance under strain, spending more and more electricity.
Don't use pesticides
By using herbicides, without realizing it, you are disorienting bees. In contact with herbicides, they lose their ability to orientate and cannot return to the hive.
Insecticides may kill your pests, but also kill the so important auxiliary insects. They are essential to:
control pests
serve as food for birds
pollination process
Instead, find attractives for auxiliary insects and for insect-eating birds. Use natural insects repellents. Give more water and nutrients to your plants so they can resist the attack. Let insects control naturally the other insects' population.
Preserv insects is fundamental to establish healthy and equilibrated ecosystems. Pesticides and pollution are the main causes for insects being threatened (eg. saproxyl beetles, dragonflies, butterflies and bees).
Exotic species
Recent introduction of exotic species is one of the causes of biodiversity loss. Exotic species can disturb the balance of ecosystems at the slightest stimulus, turning the species invasive. Furthermore, you may be disturbing the ecosystem's balance by removing a specie and introduce it into a new habitat.
If you want a pet or plants for your garden, try to choose native species of animals and plants, since they are in greater balance with your ecoregion.