ArcaMax

Cloud-based bytes of information come from data centers where an incredible amount of energy is consumed to meet the constant demand from users. In fact, these centers currently use a whopping 2% of the world's energy. Easy ways to reduce energy usage include choosing Wi-Fi over cellular data, since mobile networks use more energy; choosing text...Read more

Here’s a smart, easy way to reduce electricity use when working on your desktop computer -- and lessen your impact on the environment. Lower your monitor brightness from 100% to about 70%. The change is barely noticeable, yet it can cut the monitor’s energy use by roughly 20%, reducing demand on power plants and helping lower greenhouse gas ...Read more

When traveling abroad, you may encounter stray dogs who could use a little help. While it’s natural to think they need food, one of the easiest and most important things you can offer is water. Simply find a sturdy bowl and fill it with fresh, clean water. Place it in the shade, refresh the water daily and rinse the bowl when you can. Reliable...Read more

Sugar can do more than make your coffee sweet. For grass-stained clothes, try making a sugar paste to lift the grass stains out of the fabric. Simply make a thick paste with white sugar and warm water, then apply the mixture to the stain and rub gently. Leave the paste on top of the stain for at least an hour. The sticky mixture will absorb the ...Read more

Did you know it’s illegal to throw old tires in the trash? The reason might surprise you: The steel belts inside of tires actually can puncture the liners at landfills, leading to ground contamination. In some states, getting caught throwing tires away can lead to fines and even jail time. There are recycling programs everywhere that recycle ...Read more

Did you know you can unshrink a wool sweater? If you’ve ever accidentally washed a sweater and it shrank, don’t panic -- you often can restore it close to its original size. Soak the sweater in a large bowl of warm water mixed with about 1/3 cup of hair conditioner. Let it sit for 15 minutes to relax the fibers. Gently press out excess water...Read more

If you sprinkle Epsom salts into the bathtub to help relieve sore muscles, save a few tablespoons to help give your plants a boost, too. Epsom salt is made up of hydrated magnesium sulfate, which is a mixture of magnesium and sulfur. Plants love these minerals, and giving them Epsom salt helps boost the color of their leaves and creates stronger...Read more

If you’re looking for another reason to quit smoking (beyond your health and wallet), here’s one: It’s a detriment to wildlife. It’s estimated that nearly 25% of all roadside trash is cigarette butts. Many of these butts end up in aquatic habitats, where they leach chemicals into the water. When fish get the chemicals into their ...Read more

Plants need light for photosynthesis, and to thrive and be healthy over time. You might think placing a plant near a lamp is just as good as placing it near a sunny window, but traditional light bulbs lack the red and blue spectra light plants need most to grow. While “full spectrum” light bulbs are available, they are expensive and use ...Read more