Green for Good: One step at a time to help the Earth
Earth Day is April 22 and there is already so much buzz about being good to the planet. If you′ve seen any of the powerful documentaries on the subject (I was especially moved by the ″11th Hour″), you know that something needs to be done.
Not too long ago several experts on the Larry King Show contradicted the now wide-spread notion of the planet in danger of global warming.
But why wait until you have to panic? We should act now, make a few changes today and our kids will live in a better place.
Change your home:
Recycle. How easy is this? Dedicate a recycle can or paper bag in a noticeable spot to remember to recycle. What is recyclable? All kinds of paper (including newspapers, magazines, and packaged food boxes), plastic bottles (such as milk jugs, sippy cups, and baby bottles), glass bottles and jugs, soda cans. Make sure you rinse the bottles and flatten any boxes. It's a good idea to check with your town hall to see what is recyclable and when they pick up recycling. There are a number of items that are not recyclable — Styrofoam, plastic wrap, aerosol cans — so reduce or avoid buying those when you can. There are many items you can re-charge, so to speak, — batteries, computers, appliances. You can find a lot of useful information on recycling and reusing items in your life at earth911.org/recycling. Another interesting source is doyourecycle.org — the site with art and a facebook group for people to share creative ideas on increasing recycling and reducing waste.
An easy change is lighting around the house. Dimmers are a good first step (and it is practical when you want to reduce the light at night), but the best option is buying Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs — they are more energy efficient. CFLs use two thirds less energy and last 10 hours longer. They also generate less heat, so they reduce the cost of cooling a house.
If you are in the market for a new appliance, pick energy efficient one — you will not only help the environment but also save money on the energy used. Energy efficient appliances are now widely available — Kenmore, LG, GE and many other brands offer High Efficiency (HE) appliances. Take it a few steps further: wash your clothes on a cold water cycle, and use less dryer time, or air-dry your clothes when possible. When using a dishwasher, use the energy saver cycle, or sit them to dry.
If you have a thermostat, use a steady setting — pick the temperature that works for you and keep it at that. When your heater or air conditioner works less, you are using less energy, thus with fewer emissions.
Use less water. This includes your shower (just try a little faster), brushing your teeth (don′t have the water running), washing any dishes (do it more compactly) and cooking (wash all the produce at once). Lower the temperature setting on your hot water heater even just slightly and you will be saving gas.
Change your shopping:
I loved a quote in the "11th Hour" film that when we shop, we vote. Not in the sense of elections but rather giving our vote for a product or service. The more organic and local produce we buy, the more is going to be available, since market is based on supply and demand.
Pick local foods - whether it's a special grocery store or a farmer's market, and you will help sustainable agriculture. Choose organic and you will know that foods are made without the harmful pesticides and other chemicals that are often used in mass production and pollute the ground and species that use it. And eat your vegetables when you can — a 2006 study from the University of Chicago found that vegan diet does more to reduce global warming than switching to a hybrid car. Chew on that!
Opt for paper bags at your grocery store, since they are easier to recycle. However, it takes a lot of energy (and pulp from trees) to produce paper bags, as well as plastic. So a great step further is bringing your own bag to the store. Whole Foods even sells the sturdy cloth bags you can use on and on. When you have a lot of groceries to buy for the family, one or two of your own bags may not be an option, so paper is a lesser evil.
Green shopping is much more than just food – it’s clothes, materials and more.Shopgreen.pricegrabber.com is a great resource for finding eco-friendly products without spending a fortune. Plus, Pricegrabber donates a portion of their profits to the green charity of your choice.
Change your lifestyle:
If you are the hostess with the mostest, go green on your parties. You can buy recycled cups, napkins, table linens. When purchasing food for the event, choose local and organic. Even the gifts you give your guests can be earth-friendly, such as flower pots, organic baby products and more. Check out the greenearthmarket.com website for some original eco-friendly gifts.
When you buy a new car, think of a hybrid car - it uses less oil and is more energy efficient. Most automakers either already have or are coming up with a hybrid model soon. The way you drive is also extremely important. Quick acceleration and rapid braking cause your vehicle to produce more emissions, so needless to say, be patient on the road, try to coast before stopping and drive at a relatively stable speed (cruise control is ideal when possible). If it is nice outside, roll your windows before you turn on air-conditioning. Maintaining your car is good for the environment too! Make sure the tires are fully inflated and oil is frequently changed for optimal fuel economy. You can find more resources on green driving at greenercars.org.
Finally, think of the Earth, as you would of your family or home. After all, it is your home. And going green is a lifestyle that can change your life for good. Everything you do in your daily life affects the environment, so when you are more conscious of how each action — from recycling to green driving — affects the planet, perhaps you will be compelled to act.
