What Does It Mean to Go Green?
With global climate change concerns becoming a significant social issue, people are more aware of how their daily choices affect the environment. In particular, people are increasingly concerned about how energy production using fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas impacts the environment, and in turn, our future quality of life. According to a 2006 Sierra Club poll, the number of Americans who say they worry about the environment “a great deal” or “a fair amount” has jumped from 62 to 77 percent.
There is a growing movement of environmentally conscious and well-informed consumers who are thinking about their finances, managing their money and making choices for their future in a new way. They are making choices based on whether or not products and services are earth-friendly, ethically-produced and made, recyclable and energy-efficient. Are you part of the quickly growing “going green” movement? Do you look for an organic label on your food, energy saver sticker on your appliances and ways to lower your “carbon footprint?”
Whether you are committed to the principles of environmental stewardship or if you have given little thought to your lifestyle’s impact on the environment, this section is designed to demystify the “green” movement and help you think about how you could make different choices to lessen your impact on the environment. Hopefully it will help show you that being more environmentally-friendly is possible even in the midst of a busy lifestyle and tight finances.
8 Simple Steps You Can Take Today (without Breaking Your Bank)
It is possible – you and your family can begin reducing your impact on the environment without breaking the bank. Take some small (inexpensive) steps such as:
- Think about what you throw away. Often things that we throw away could be easily recycled which would help reduce otherwise-wasted energy, water and natural resources. Start by checking with your trash removal service or your town/county to see if they offer recycling removal or where in your town you could bring trash for recycling. Then begin separating out paper, aluminum, glass and cardboard for recycling. Get your kids in on it and see how much you can begin reducing your weekly trash output and recycling it instead!
- Switch it off. Just say “no” to keeping the electricity running and turn off appliances/items off when you’re not using them – such as lights, television sets, DVD players, computer, etc. Consider plugging items in to a power strip that you can easily turn off with one switch.
- Wait to wash. Reduce your use of water and electricity by waiting to run your dishwasher and washing machine until you have a full load.
- Plan out your trips. Driving is the single biggest way that most of us negatively impact our environment. Instead of jumping in the car for a single trip, plan out your errands, visits and work to make the most of your time out and reduce the number of trips you take.
- Re-use what you can. You can even make it a game with your spouse and/or kids to think of how many ways or times you can use something before throwing it away.
- Adjust the temp on your water heater. Keep your water heater thermostat no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lower your utility bills.
- Shorten your showers. Did you know that showers account for two-thirds of all water heating costs? Shave a few minutes off your shower time and you will reduce the amount of energy needed to heat the water, the actual water usage and both your water and utility bills.
- Plant a tree. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and clean our air. Planting just one tree can reduce the effects of 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year…and it can be an inexpensive, fun activity for your family to do together. Contact your local county extension office to see if they offer free tree seedlings.
|
