I would like to go Green but where do i even begin?

Question

lifestyle
better diet
environmentally conscious

Answer 1

Lifestyle:
1.) Go to thrift stores, second hand clothing stores and garage sales to buy clothes, furniture and almost anything else that you want. Not only will you save a lot of money, but you'll also be re-using things and saving the environment.
2.) Recycle everything. Find a pamphlet on recycling in your neighborhood and separate out your recycling as you throw things away.
3.) Carpool, combine your shopping trips into one outing and ride your bike to reduce fuel use.

Better Diet:
1.) You can save money, eat healthier and save the environment by making big meals, then dividing them into reusable tupperware like containers and putting them in your freezer. When you need to eat a meal, just reheat them - instead of going to a fast food restaurant or buying individually packaged microwavable meals. Cooking large meals can also be a social activity you do with friends - or have a potluck and divide up the food items into your containers!
2.) If you are interested in gardening, try raising your own vegetable garden. You'll be raising food without pesticides, fertilizers or chemical weed killers, it will be cheaper and healthier to eat. Your food wont be shipped, processed, packaged or require a drive to the grocery store.

Answer 2

It's so easy to beginning-simply lower your thermostat in the winter a few degrees, raise it in the summer, only run your dishwasher and washing machine when it's full. These things cost you nothing, they actually save you money. For a small investment you can change your light bulbs to the energy saving ones-they make them in all styles-pays for themselves in no time. Energy smart bulbs use 70 to 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer. Using a 26 watt compact fluorescent bulb in place of a 100 watt bulb can save up to $59 on enery cost over the life of the bulb. A digital thermostat will save energy and save money in the long run. Small things like taking a canvas tote to the grocery store instead of using either plastic or paper is helping the environment. Also, stop buying bottled water-it takes forever for the plastic in most water bottle to compose-try buying a premium reusable single plastic container and refilling yourself-also saves you money. Look for a smart power strip cost about $39.00.

Answer 3

First off you should reduce, reuse, recycle in this order no matter where you start. First reduce consumption as in lower your heating and cooling (reducing your heating and cooling by 2 degrees can reduce a great amount of CO2 being put into the air), reducing gas can also be an amazing way to reduce, another great thing to reduce is electricity which can be reduced by using energy efficient light bulbs or turning on lights a lot less, you can also reduce by energy efficient appliances which have an energy efficient seal on them. Next is to reuse...you can reuse things like plastics as in plastic containers, you can reuse clothes by giving them away or using them as rags. The last thing is recycling; if you can't reduce the item and/or reuse the item then the last step is to recycle. Recycling is great for the environment, not only are you recycling but you are saving the landfills from huge quantities of garbage. So you should start by following these steps in order reduce, reuse, recycle.

Answer 4

Very easy to start going Green. Simply turn down your thermostat in the winter and turn it up in the summer by 2 -3 degrees. Get a programmable thermostat and have it only heat and cool when you're actually at home. Also, replacing your light bulbs with fluorescent ones is an easy step. Also, try planning your shopping outings where you do multiple stops instead of multiple trips. Share a ride to work. Ride a bicycle instead of driving. Walk instead of driving. Simply turn off lights in rooms that are not being occupied.

Answer 5

Few simple steps:

1) Listen/Read/Understand the factors affecting environment these days like Global warming, environmental contamination by Industry & other sources, Climate change, acitivities unfriendly to ecosystem and how politician manipulate your thinking

2) Then change your lifestyle based on the information gathered in step1 - recycle/save energy - look for alternative energy resources like bicycling/ solar roofs & heating/ windpower or bio-diesel resources- slowly reduce your energy needs. Then take part in local environmental conservation projects - if there aren't any - start from your backyard by planting more tree. Then start distributing trees to friends as gifts on all the occassions

3) Then undertake some major project on your own or with help of friends like plantation at deforested area or highlight some local environmental problem at council level or discussions.

4) Spread the word about green living - discuss it with family and friends.

5) Respect, honour & have faith in the nature - slowly you will fall in love with mother nature - then you will be in better hands.

Answer 6

You can do simple things around the house like turning off lights that you aren't using and unplugging appliances when you aren't using them. Also, buy energy-saving lightbulbs. They last longer and use 75% less electricity. And when you go grocery shopping, if you aren't buying that much, bring your own bag instead of getting all those plastic bags. Buy recycled paper and other recycled products. And of course recycle your own garbage. Try to drive less if you can. And watch the movie An Inconvenient Truth. At the end, they give you a whole list of things you can do to go green. Good luck and spread the word!

Answer 7

begin with what you eat. Organic vegetables and meat, organic dairy products. Commute to work by bus or bike or carpool. Look at what you throw away. Can any of it be composted or recycled instead? I buy in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging in my garbage and then I wash and re-use the plastic bags. I save jars for storing my bulk food. No matter how big or small the jar is, I find a use for it.

Answer 8

Tackle one thing at a time, get it into your lifestyle, then add another thing. Trying to change your entire life all at once is likely to fail, but changing a big at a time is quite successful.
(Here's a book about this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0761129235?tag=kassarts&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0761129235&adid=0TAVJTKXE0PSY4HMCDDD&)

What is on your mind the most and most important to you, and how can you tackle one small area of that for starters? Want to walk more? What errands can you run on foot? Want to reduce auto emissions? How can you use more public transport?

Do you own a house? Eliminate your lawn and replace it with native plants through xeriscaping.

Stop using chemical fertilizers and poisons and learn about organic gardening options that you can gradually incorporate into your lawn care.

Get a bicycle if there are places in your town to ride it and use it to run errands.

Buy your food close from farmer's markets rather than from super grocery chains. That will mean less gas was spent to get it to you and your food will be fresher and healthier.

Answer 9

Add recycling to your trash pickup and make sure you know what gets commingled. It also helps immensely when you take your newspapers to a recycling facility as well. Working at Whole Foods Market has opened my eyes to a whole new realm of recycling, composting, and commingling. It may be out of the ordinary, but once you start doing, it's hard not to think about what you are throwing away every time.

Answer 10

Just start making small efforts until they become natural to you, then add something else, and so on. You can start with basic weekly recycle. If you drink water, buy a stainless steel container, buy the water in large bottles and refill your container, you can find several of these water bottles on line. Eat organic, visit your local health food store for some info. Avoid small pre package convenient items, buy larger & put in re-useable containers.

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Answer 11

Know that every dollar you spend is a vote. This vote is an econonic vote but also a lifestyle vote...who do you support? Do you support environmentally destructive companies or local shops? do you support big agricultural megoliths or CSA farms?

it all starts with a decision. then, do some research. coop farms are great to support, esp. if you can help raise your own food.