Thinking Green

In today’s world of technological innovation and commercialism, there are ads for a plethora of new products that perform faster, better, and longer. Yet, how many claim to perform smarter?

Energy use—whether oil, natural gas, gasoline, or electricity—is on the rise. The United States consumes more of the world’s natural resources than any two other countries combined¹. Many people feel it is their right to consume as long as they have the means to pay for it. “Besides,” they shrug, “let someone else worry about it.” That thought has begun to change as the price of oil fluctuates drastically. However, if you look around, you will not see very many individuals curbing their energy consumption.

	Many people feel it is their right to consume.

Being Green Matters

It might appear to be too much of a hassle for us to be green or be concerned about our environment because life is too hectic and there are so many more pressing issues that require our attention. But every time you pick up a spray bottle or an aerosol can of household cleaner, the solution you spray does not disappear simply because you can no longer see it. It becomes airborne, absorbs into your carpets and curtains, and travels down the drain. Eventually, all those chemicals end up in our fresh water supply. Even worse, you ingest those chemicals through inhalation while using them. They enter your body through contact with your skin. Many chemicals used in household cleaning products remain in the environment for months, sometimes years.

Find Environmentally Safe Products

Good for You and the Environment

Finding environmentally safe methods of maintaining a clean, healthy, energy-efficient environment in our homes and offices is vital to caring for our planet. It can be as simple as walking rather than driving the half-mile to your local market, or turning off the lights in a room when you leave. Making such small changes in your awareness and passing them on to your family, friends, and co-workers can influence them and facilitate change. Being ecologically conscientious is easier than you might initially think.

Quick Tips for a Green Lifestyle

Here are a few simple methods to help you begin the process of becoming green. I hope you choose one and incorporate it into your daily life, beginning this week.

Use Cloth Shopping Bags

When grocery shopping, take reusable cloth bags; they are easy to obtain and many markets give you a small discount off your total bill for using them. Reusable bags take you out of the paper or plastic debate.

Carpool

When going to work, shopping, or doing other daily activities, find someone who also normally does these activities and take her along. Ride sharing puts one less vehicle on the road.

Conserve Electricity

Turn on all the lights in your house and look for areas where you can reduce the amount of light without causing safety concerns. Replace 75-watt bulbs with 40-watt bulbs wherever possible. Also, purchase light bulbs that consume less energy. They cost more initially, but will eventually save money on your electric bill. There is, however, a downside; many energy efficient bulbs contain mercury, which is a toxic metal.

Use Green Cleaning Supplies

Rather than reaching for a spray bottle of commercial cleaner and paper towels to wipe down the kitchen table, try a microfiber cloth (which can be laundered and re-used) and a solution of 6 ounces of water and 2 ounces of white vinegar. This solution works as well as the standard cleaners, but without the chemicals. Don’t like the smell? Add three drops of your favorite essential oil—more than that will leave streaks.

Being mindful of how we consume energy and not polluting our environment is vital not only for ourselves, but also for future generations.