Even in major cities full of giant skyscrapers, wild animals live among us in green spaces like parks, and they need our help. If you have a dog, always be sure to keep it on a leash; dogs can kill small animals, destroy birds' nests and harass other types of wildlife when allowed to roam free. Avoid putting used gum in outdoor trash receptacles, because birds can mistake it for food, ingest it and die. Be sure your trash containers are secured and closed, and only put them out the night before trash collection day.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you invest in the stock market? You might be wondering if your portfolio is eco-friendly or supports sustainable business practices. The ESG rating (short for Environment, Social and Governance) gives companies and mutual funds a score. The higher the ESG score, the better on the environmental scale; low-scoring companies are considered less involved in eco-friendly practices and social issues. The website spglobal.com is a free resource that gives you any publicly traded company's ESG score.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When it comes to beauty products like makeup, lipstick, brushes and sponges, it can be difficult to keep them clean and germ-free. One of the easiest ways to disinfect products without ruining them is to fill a misting bottle with isopropyl alcohol. Misting the outer layer of makeup products (like directly onto a compact or lipstick) is enough to kill germs and bacteria. Just spray and allow to naturally dissipate and dry before using. The same goes for all of the small tools, brushes and sponges you might use, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION