Saturday, May 25, 2013
Going Green
The phrase "going green" leaves many
people to believe they must drastically change their lifestyle and become
completely independent from fossil fuels and other pollutants which harm the
environment. While this is the ideal solution that we should be working toward
some day, going green today involves making a few simple changes in life which
people can adjust to over time. Eventually, as people begin making more and
more changes, they’ll notice they actually consume and waste less, which has
the added benefit of saving money. So what steps can we take togo green?
1. Use canvas bags
Use canvas bags instead of the plastic or paper bags offered by
local grocers and supermarkets. By refusing the paper and plastic sacks,
trees are not only saved, but getting groceries in the house will actually be
easier, since canvas is a much sturdier material than most plastic which is
used ingrocery bags.
2. Reduce water
usage
Minimize water usage by making small changes, like not washing
several small loads of clothing, or running the water as you brush your teeth.
By conserving water in this manner, we don’t have to worry about our supply of
clean water running out as quickly. In addition, homes which have old toilets
and shower heads might want to consider installing low-flow toilets
andshower heads. This can not only save money, but also many gallons of water
each time someone showers, or flushes.
3. Get rid of
gas-powered lawnmowers
Gas-powered lawnmowers are on their way out. With more and more
of our devices being supplied by electricity, and the electricity we use is
being generated by alternative renewable sources, like wind and water, we’re
reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. If your family uses a gas-powered
lawnmower to mow the lawn, consider trading it for an electric mower. Since
these mowers run from battery power which has been charged in a wall outlet,
keeping gas on hand to mow the yard will never be a problem again.
4. Choose a laptop
over a desktop
If possible, using a laptop over a desktop will also save a ton
on energy bills. Because of the nature of a laptop, many people turn them
off before they will a desktop. This leads to around a 75% reduction in energy
usage, as often times, people leave their desktops running for days at a
time.
5.
Use insulation blankets
Using an insulation blanket with a hot water heater can save
around 750 pounds of CO2 emissions a year. In addition, any pipes which are
exposed should be insulated, so the water heater doesn’t have to do any
unnecessary work in order to keep water flowing hot.
6. Turn down the
heat
In the winter, turning down the heat just a few degrees can save
up to 15% on electric costs. In fact, changing the thermostat just a few
degrees from what it would normally be placed on can save around 1,800 pounds
of CO2 a year, and that’s just a few degrees of change, which likely won’t even
be noticed.
7. Switch to cold
water washing
Many Americans don’t realize it, but up to 75% of the energy
that is used during washing clothes, is used when heating the water for washing
in warm water. By switching to cold water washing and using a cold water
washing detergent, you could save nearly 1,000 pounds in CO2 emissions each
year. In addition, hanging clothes out to dry on a clothes line instead of
using a dryer will cut back significantly on your electric usage, especially in
a family of four.
8. Keep your tires
inflated
Keeping tires inflated at the recommended pressure can work by
saving nearly 3 miles per gallon of gasoline. This amount may not seem like a
lot, but considering many gas tanks in modern cars hold 20 gallons of
gas, this averages out to be around 60 miles worth of savings as long as the
tires on your car are inflated properly.
9. Buy products
that are made from recycled materials
Buying products which clearly state that they’ve been made from
100% recycled material means no new resources have been destroyed in the
process of making the product. Nearly all products which we purchase
today use recyclable materials, from milk cartons to shaving cream cans. Check
and see if your favorite products are doing their part to help reduce
emissions, and if not, consider switching to a different product which does use
recycled materials.
10. Change the
light bulbs
Switch all of the lightning in the home to compact
fluorescent lamps, or CFLs. These types of lighting use nearly 60% less
energy than the traditional incandescent bulbs, while lasting around 10 times
longer. This simple little switch can save you 2,000 pounds of CO2 emissions
each year, if all the bulbs in your home are switched.
Of course, these
are just a few small steps which we can take to make sure we’re running our
lives as green as possible. There are other, more drastic measures we can take,
such as buying a hybrid car, or even replacing the windows and siding on
our houses for more efficient insulation. However, these simple steps are steps
which anyone can take and proudly call themselves a green supporter. In fact,
many of the changes listed above can work in our favor by saving us money on
our electric and gas bills, which means we’re not consuming near as much as we
were beforehand. This is yet another way changes can be considered going green,
as we reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
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