Environmental Tips

Environmental Tips for Living a Greener Life

By Hillari D. Balak

I would like to thank Christopher N. Geary for giving me the opportunity to share this information. He truly cares about our environment and supports the movement toward a more eco-friendly way of life.

“Go Green.” This slogan seems to be everywhere today. We see it on television, the Internet, and in the newspapers. But what does it mean to “go green”? The first step is to recognize that the choices we make every day have far-reaching effects. What we choose to buy, what we recycle, and what we throw away all have an impact. It is clear that the earth’s natural resources are diminishing at an alarming rate. Experts estimate that by 2050 the population will have swelled to well over 9 billion people, and if resources are evenly distributed the amount per capita will be only 25% of what was available in 1950. To preserve the standard of living we enjoy for future generations, we need to stage a global and united effort. So what can you do? Below I have put together some simple and easy ways to “Go Green” in your home, at your workplace, and in your community.

Ways to Go Green (and $ave Green) at Home

Buy Used: Consider using services like craigslist for tracking down pre-owned furniture, appliances, and other items, instead of buying them new. Consignment shops often offer name brand, gently used clothing at a third of store prices.
Buy Local: Shop your local farmer’s market. Buying locally grown food saves energy by reducing the fossil fuels needed to transport items across the country.
Change the Settings on Your Thermostat: Decreasing the temperature in your home by a few degrees in the winter and increasing it by a few degrees in the summer can substantially reduce your utility bills.
Plant a Tree: Planting the right tree in the right place on your property can reduce the amount of solar heat that reaches your home by 20 to 50 percent. Trees increase oxygen levels and decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Switch to Cold Water: Washing clothes in cold water rather than hot water will reduce your energy costs and prevent the emission of up to 500 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. As an added bonus, washing your clothes in cold water will maintain the color and longevity of your clothing items.
Power Down: Appliances use electricity continuously when they are plugged in, even if you are not using them. They can use up to 40% of their full running power when they are turned off. Unplugging appliances when you are not using them can eliminate up to 190 pounds in greenhouse gases per year and reduce your annual energy bill by $70.
Go Meatless One Meal a Week: Meat is the most resource-intensive food on our tables. Eating less meat can be one of the best green moves we can make. A single pound of ground beef requires about 12,000 gallons of water to produce, whereas a pound of potatoes require only 60 gallons.
Use Non-Toxic, Biodegradable Cleaning Products: Companies like Seventh Generation offer non-toxic, eco-friendly products ranging from dishwashing detergent to baby products.

Ways to Go Green at Work

Reconsider Your Commute: Walk or bike whenever possible. Consider taking public transportation if you live too far away from the office to walk or bike. Carpooling or working from home a couple of days a week are additional ways to reduce carbon emissions and save on gas costs.
Create a “Green Team”: Brainstorm with your co-workers to develop and implement strategies for being more eco-friendly and energy-efficient in the workplace.
Watch How You Eat: Bring your own mug and reusable dishware for the meals you eat in the office.
Turn Off the Lights: Switch off the lights in your office before you leave for lunch. The energy savings from 10 million employees turning off unneeded lights for a half an hour a day is enough to light 50 million square feet of office space.
Recycle and Re-Use Paper Products: The average office throws out 350 pounds of paper per employee per year. Help reduce that waste by collecting used office paper separately for recycling. Encourage your employer to purchase copier paper that contains a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content.
Use the Stairs: Not only is stair-climbing great exercise, it saves energy.
Bring a Plant to Your Office: Increase the oxygen in your office and make it a more visually pleasant environment.
Help Improve Air Quality: Increase natural ventilation by using windows that open when the outside air temperature is comfortable.

Ways to Go Green in Your Community

Connect with Your Community: To increase environmental awareness in your community you need to be a part of it. Talk to your neighbors to find out what’s going on around you, and get involved in community projects.
Teach Green: Involve your children in a campaign to clean up neighborhood parks. Have them invite their friends for a day of green activities and a picnic of local organic foods.
Spread the Word: People are increasingly curious about the green movement. If you bike to work, buy organic foods, or compost, talk about why you are doing these things. Share tips on how your friends and neighbors can do it too.
Get Political: Make your voice heard. National and international politics can be frustrating. How can you influence a massive institution that has all the power? Local politics can be a lot less intimidating. It is a lot easier to make connections and get involved when you live among the people you are trying to influence.
Lobby for a Community Garden: It’s a great way to meet people and beautify your neighborhood.

Going green doesn’t have to be extreme. You don’t have to do everything at once. Start by choosing one or two things you can do in your home, work, or community within the next year. That’s all it takes to begin living a greener life and preserving the earth for generations to come. It all starts by taking the first step.

When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves. ~ David Orr

Sources:

www.abc.com
www.gogreen.com
www.treehugger.com
www.worldwatch.org