Ways to Go Green

While a large number of people out there realize that numerous environmental issues are already knocking on our door, only a few of them are actually trying to do something to save the planet.

Going green seems to be the newest mantra in the crusade to save the Earth, and the biggest advantage of this concept is the fact that you can resort to some simple changes in your lifestyle and do your bit to save the environment.

While the authorities try their best to come up with complex plans to curb these environmental issues, we can resort to these simple measures and reduce their intensity.

Before we move on, let's go through some interesting facts about green living.

• If the American Solar Energy Society is to be believed, effectively harnessing the sunlight that falls on the planet for a minute can help in generating power which can meet the energy requirements of the planet for one whole year.

• Other than saving 20 trees and 7,000 gallons of water, recycling one ton of paper can help in saving energy enough to power an average American house for six months.

• If the target of 20 percent wind energy contribution to generate electricity in the United States is achieved by 2030, it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by a whopping 25 percent.
• Installing water-efficient appliances in homes can help in saving 3 trillion gallons of water and $18 billion every day in the United States alone.

• While the population of the United States accounts for 5 percent of the world population, it has 20 percent share in greenhouse gases emission.

Eco-friendly living tips exist in plenty―right from having short showers to walking or cycling instead of using a car―and are quite effective in our crusade to save the planet. The best part about these simple tips is that they can be easily inculcated in your daily routine, without worrying much about how you will adjust to the new lifestyle

• Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

• If you take a bath or wash clothes in hot water, start using cold water for the same.
• Similarly opt for short showers, instead of spending hours in the bathroom.
• Try unplugging appliances to save energy at your home and workplace.
• Never keep electronic appliances on standby.

• Instead of using a car, try walking or cycling to work.
• If possible resort to telecommuting instead of going to office.
• If you have to use vehicle, drive efficiently and make sure that it is well maintained.
• Encourage people in your neighborhood to plant trees.

• If you are into gardening, chose native drought-tolerant plants for your garden.
• Switch over to organic products instead of their conventional counterparts.
• Start composting with the garbage that is produced in your home.
• Instead of using plastic bags, resort to paper bags or cloth bags.

• If you eat non-vegetarian food, try and cut down on non-vegetarian meal a week.
• Resort to different ways to recycle paper, plastic, electronic goods, etc.
• Subscribe for bills in e-format instead of paper.

• Make use of alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar power.
• Avoid buying bottled water, and if at all you do, make sure that you dispose the bottle properly.
• And lastly, spread awareness about the benefits of green living.

There is no doubt about the fact that observing the Earth Day or Environment Day is the most effective tool of spreading awareness about the need to save our planet. When we say we need to go beyond these celebrations, we mean to say that we should do something more than just celebrating these days and forgetting the cause the very next moment.

On one hand, we can see the administration trying to get its environmental policies in place, while on the other, there exist examples of corporates going green. We, as individuals, seem to be the only ones who are left out in this bid to save the Earth and therefore, we have to join the bandwagon as soon as possible.