When it comes to ‘buzz words’ there are few more popular than ‘going green’ which refers to using various methods to try and counteract the effects of global warming. One way and another we are all encouraged to go green in order to save our energy bills and our planet. But what does it mean to go green and what is the definition of this popular phrase? For a site that is entirely focused on the concept of going green, it is rather important to understand the concept and what it means.
What Does it Mean to Go Green?
Essentially going green means being smart and being responsible. It means being efficient, it means learning about the environment and it means being forward thinking and future proofing yourself against future problems. It’s about being a visionary, about being on the pulse and about being ahead of the curve.
Of course if you go green this means that you’re conscientious enough to take responsibility for your part in global warming, and by going green you can prevent the destruction of the planet and of millions of species of animals. Did you know that in forty years it’s predicted that Afghanistan will be too hot to live in? Or that the coral reefs are also being killed off by the rising acidity of the oceans – destroying the homes of literally millions of marine creatures and creating dangerous conditions in the oceans that threaten to destroy whole towns and villages. It’s crucial for self preservation that we go green – as a species continuing to live as we do is simply not an option and would be the quickest route to our own extinction. At the same time though it is also a moral imperative that we protect this planet that we’ve inherited and multitude of life forms that share it with us.
This is what most of us think of as going green – that it means staying away from certain technologies in order to preserve the planet. But what people don’t realize is that it’s technology and that it’s science that allows us to do this – and that this has many other rewards too.
For instance using a geothermal heat pump in your swimming pool is a great way to go green – and that means that you are able to heat your pool without having to pay for your energy. At the same time using solar panels around your home means you can watch TV at your leisure without worrying about an increasing energy bill, damaging the environment, or being reliant on anyone else. It means that you are using abundant and limitless sources of energy, and applying complex science in order to liberate yourself from being dependent on power plants. If there were to be a power cut you would be unaffected, and no one would be able to increase the cost of your energy. Likewise, when the inevitable day does come that we run out of fossil fuels, you would be ready for it and still able to use your energy. In comparison burning coal for energy is positively archaic – and it’s shocking that we still rely so heavily on this when so much more is available.
There’s a misconception that going green means going ‘back to basics’ but quite the opposite is true – it means being an early adopter of new technologies and future proofing yourself against inevitable change. Using science and technology to get ahead of everyone else and to save the planet.
What Does Going Green Mean Literally?
That’s all very good and well but a little abstract – it won’t help you to go green yourself. Put simply then, going green is being eco conscious – reducing your carbon footprint but also working alongside the environment in other ways by recycling and protecting wildlife and fauna. It also means spreading the word, and voting in those parties who represent green concerns.
While there are countless different ways to go green, different methods will suit different people and not all of them will be appropriate to everyone. Here are just a few things that are considered ‘going green’:
- Switching to LED bulbs
- Having an organic garden
- Donating to related charities
- Growing your own food
- Recycling
- Using electric/hybrid cars
- Switching to alternative energy sources around the home
- Voting green
- Buying green
- Switching things off at the wall
- Reducing waste
And much, much more… all of which you can read about on this site. Look around at some of the articles for inspiration and get started living in a more responsible and forward thinking way. That’s how you go green.
29 General Tips
Can also save you money too.
Every little bit is a step to help save the earth.
If you want to learn more about the tip then just click on the link (if available) to go to a page that will elaborate on the topic.
- Change to Fluorescent Bulbs - If every house in the United States changed all of the light bulbs in their house, that would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the streets.
- Don't Rinse - Skip rinsing your plates before putting them into the dishwasher. In average you will save 15 gallons of water per load. Plus, you will save time.
- Hang Outside to Dry - Get a cloths line or rack to dry your cloths. Your cloths will last longer and you will save money
- Turn off computers at night - don't just put them to sleep. You will save an average of 4 cents a day which ads up to $14.60 a year.
- Use Both Sides of Paper - if you have a printer with a double sided print option use it. You will save half of the amount of paper you would have normally used.
Then when your done bring it to the recycle bin.
- Get rid of baths - Don't take baths, take showers. You will in average save about half the amount of water that you would if you were taking a bath.
- Don't get bottled water - Instead of bottled water get a reusable container to carry water. Also you can get a filter to make your home tap taste more like bottled water. It is definitely more cost efficient.
- Turn the water off when you brush - Your parents have said this before, now I say it. You will save 4 gallons of water doing this alone.
- Shorten your shower - Every minute you cut from your shower is roughly 5 gallons of water. The less time your shower takes, the lower your impact on the environment.
- Recycle Glass - If you do not recycle this, it will take a million years to decompose.
- Don't Pre-Heat the Oven - unless needed, just turn the oven on after you put the dish in it. Also, to see if it's finished just look through the glass instead of opening it.
- Use Warm or Cold Setting on Washer - instead of the hot cycle use the warm or cold setting. This will save a lot of energy a year.
- Turn Down your Thermostat - Every degree lower in the winter or higher in the summer you put it is a 10% decrease on your energy bill.
- Turn off your lights - An easy one. Turn off your lights when you are not using them. The benefits are obvious.
- Get rid of junk mail - There are many services that can help you get rid of junk mail. That will lead to a lot less trees being cut down to take up room in your mailbox.
- Use Matches instead of lighters - Lighters are usually considered disposable so they will most likely end up in land fills. You can use the cardboard matches which are much more eco-friendly because they are made of recycled material.
- Don't get a paper phone book - Instead of getting a paper phone book. Use a online directory instead.
- Give things away - Take things that you are not going to wear or use and give it to a charity or someone who will use it.
- Go to a car wash - Going to a car wash is a lot more water efficient then washing your car at home.
- Stop paper bank statements - Why waste paper getting your bank statement mailed to you when you can just check it out online.
- Buy Rechargeable Batteries - Even though it will take a good investment to buy these you will find yourself gaining it back in no time.
- Pay your Bills Online - If every house in the US did this then we would save 18 million trees every year.
- Get a reusable bag - You can't recycle plastic bags, instead get yourself a reusable bag so that you won't have to worry about carrying your necessities.
- Do Errands in Bulk - Make a list of the things you have to do, and see if you can fit a couple of those things together in one ride.
- Inflate your Tires - If your tires are inflated at all times your car will run more miles on less gas.
- Wrap Presents Creatively - Without going out to get wrapping paper you can use newspaper, an old map, or anything else. It would look a whole lot more creative.
- Plant a Tree - It's good for the air, can keep you cool, and can increase your property value.
- Buy Local Produce - Consider how much energy it takes for produce from china or any other country to come here. If you have the option to buy local, do it.
- Walk or Ride Your Bike When you can - If you have to go somewhere close consider riding your bike or walking there instead of your car. It's better on the environment and healthier.
www.squidoo.com/agreenlife
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