Going Green for Earth Day

Happy Earth day! If you are thinking of ways to help save the planet today, one way is to take steps towards a “greener” lifestyle.  “Going Green” is a phrase which I’m sure you have heard before. But what does it really mean and how does one go about “going green”?  While this lifestyle change has been particularly trendy within the last few years, what it’s really about is living in a more eco-friendly way. If you’re thinking of adopting this initiative, here are a few simple and easy ways to begin.

Diet– Change up your eating habits by growing your own food or buying local. Help reduce plastic waste by ditching the bulk water bottle cases and go for a filtered water pitcher or reusable water bottle. Also try reducing the amount of meat you eat or have one day per week that is restricted to vegetarian meals only.  A lot of energy and fuel is required to get meat from the farm to your kitchen table, so eating less can help reduce your carbon footprint.

Transportation– Save gas and walk, ride your bike, or car pool to work if the first two aren’t realistic. Using public transportation such as taking the bus or subway train is also a helpful alternative. Taking these steps can help reduce the amount of car-related emissions that release into the environment and contribute to global warming.

Water– Help save water by taking shorter, luke warm showers or try installing an energy efficient shower head. It is also important to use your dishwasher (when full) rather than washing dishes by hand as it saves much more H20. When doing laundry, try washing everything in cold and hanging your wash on a clothing line or drying rack to dry. Washing your items in cold water or showering in less than hot water helps eliminate the energy needed for heating the water.

The 3 R’s: Reduce, reuse, recycle. This is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment. Reduce your purchases, especially with easily disposable items. Reuse as much as possible and remember to always recycle. Composting your food scraps by placing them in a designated bin is also a great step towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Find out how big your carbon footprint is by clicking here for an online carbon calculator and begin taking steps to do your part to help save our environment.