The future is green
And you just found it. These days you probably feel flooded by dire-sounding environmental
news ("the Earth is set to deflate by 2011") and endless suggestions for greener living ("algae cold-fusion
reactors for your shoes"). But fret not. We're here to help sort things out and get your eco show on the road.
Here, we bring it back to basics and break it down into bite sized chunks of simple, everyday ways to live a
greener, healthier, more ethical (and ultimately more fun) life. So read on. And remember, if you have a friend,
relative, or colleague who needs a little help on the green front, send them this way.
Educate yourself
How can you solve the problem if you don’t know what the problem is? Luckily,
fun, accessible information on green thinking, environmentalism and sustainable
living is everywhere these days. Why not start with online sources like our very
own Green guides . Other websites like Grist , Ideal bite, or World changing also
offer great advice and different perspectives. If you prefer the print media,
check out magazines like Plent, Good, or UTNE. And if you’re
not much of a reader, documentaries like An inconvenient Truth, Who killed the electric car?,
or the BBCS Planet earth are also a good place to start.
Zero waste
So you really want to set yourself a target. Why not follow the example of This
couple aiming for zero waste in a year, or This village
aiming to become a completely zero-waste community
It certainly seems like zero waste might be the buzz phrase of the moment,
so why not join in—even if you only get half way there, it can’t hurt to
have lofty goals. What’s 50% of zero? Math never was our strong point…
Energy
With all the talk of
- solar panels
- fuel cells
- building-integrated wind turbines
- and flux capacitors
It can be easy to think you need a million bucks to go green at home. Not so.
Many of the most effective ways to cut carbon emissions are also the cheapest.
- Turn lights off when you go out
- Install energy efficient bulbs and appliances
- Insulate your home
- Keep an eye on your consumption
Once you’ve done all that, why not investigate if you can buy green energy from your local utility?
Keep it Clean
Now you’ve spent all this time putting your house in order with organic clothing and chemical-free furniture,
why douse it in chemicals to keep it clean? Many everyday cleaning products are made up of pretty nasty constituents, yet
there are natural alternatives that work just as well. Take a look at our How to Green Your Cleaning.
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