Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

A Green Home is a Healthy Home Quiz

Cover of Green Home is a Healthy Home Brochure
There are lots of actions you can take to reduce impacts on the environment, protect your health and save money. Start by taking a look around your own home! Check out "A Green Home is a Healthy Home" (pdf) for suggestions.

Take the quiz below to see if you can pick the most environmentally beneficial answer. Good Luck!

Answers and additional information are listed below.

1.  Which of the following causes the most environmental damage?

  1. Driving a car
  2. Mowing your lawn
  3. Riding a bicycle

2. You’ve got time on your hands, so you head out to shop. You should

  1. Avoid impulse buying so you don’t end up with items you don’t need
  2. Choose items that long lasting, repairable, and recyclable
  3. Avoid wasteful packaging and single serving items
 3. You love to spend time in the garden, which uses the most water?
  1. Grass
  2. Shrubs and ground cover
  3. Trees

4. You want to get rid of of unwanted items. You should

  1. Turn in paints, pesticides and other household hazards at a collection event
  2. Recycle old computers, TVs, & mercury thermometers at collection sites
  3. Donate used items in good condition to friends or a charity, or sell at a tag sale

5. Which behavior change would have the greatest environmental benefit?

  1. Eat chicken instead of beef
  2. Wear cotton instead of polyester
  3. Choose paper instead of plastic  

6. You’ve just won $4,000 playing the CT Lottery and want to spend it on home improvements. You can   

  1. Replace old appliances with ENERGY STAR products
  2. Purchase wood from sustainable forests
  3. Look for paints and carpets made from recycled materials

7. Installing a low flow shower head can save a household how many  gallons of water per year?

  1. 500 gallons
  2. 1,000 gallons
  3. more than 1,000 gallons

8. You’re in the market for a new car. What kind will have the least impact on the environment?

  1. SUV
  2. Fuel efficient, getting 30+ mpg
  3. Decide to use the bus instead

9. It’s summer, and ideal time for a project in the backyard. You can

  1. Set up a compost bin
  2. Plant an organic garden
  3. Have soil tested by Cooperative Extension Service so you use only the amount of fertilizer needed 
 10. You’ve decided to start conserving energy at home. You can 
  1. Insulate the attic using R-value 38 and weather strip windows and doors
  2. Install a programmable thermostat
  3. Wash clothes in cold water and use a clothes line or drying rack
Answers to Quiz
Test your knowledge about other  environmental topics. 

  1. Driving a car is the most polluting consumer activity, so avoid driving whenever possible. Lawn mowers also contribute significantly to air pollution, however we use them much less than our cars.
  2. It’s best to resist advertising and marketing ploys to buy items you don’t need. Live simply and consume responsibly! If you have extra time, visit friends, read a book, go to the library, or take a walk instead of going to the mall. The other answers are also correct.
  3. Grass needs 60% more than trees and twice as much as shrubs. Conserve water by using soaker hoses, watering before 8 AM or after 6 PM, and convert some lawn to native plants and wildflowers. Learn about organic lawn care. 
  4. All answers are correct. Improper disposal of household hazards, mercury and electronics can pollution our air, land, and water.  Find a household hazardous waste collection in your town or call your town office.
  5. Eating chicken. Beef production impacts land use from grazing, water pollution from animal wastes, toxic pollution and water use from chemicals for feed, as well as irrigation, transportation impacts, and energy use. Try to buy locally produced, organic foods.
  6. You can’t go wrong with any of these choices. Look for ENERGY STAR label and independent certification labels on woods. You should also check for indoor air quality information on products.
  7. You can save 10,000 gallons of water a year! A new 2.5 gallon per minute shower head uses half the amount of water old heads use. More water conservation ideas.
  8. Not driving is best, but if you must drive, choose a fuel-efficient car. SUVs use more gas and have fewer pollution controls, so they contribute more to air pollution and global warming. 
  9. Why not do all three! More ideas for recycling and reuse and how to manage those not-so-common household items.
  10. Any one of these is a great way to start and will save you money on your energy bill. If you replace your thermostat, be sure to dispose of old mercury thermostats at a town household hazardous waste collection. Get more tips about saving energy at home.

Portions of the above were taken from Union of Concerned Scientists © website. 

Content Last Updated February 2011