GREEN U - Orientation
Going green is easier than you think. Learn how making a few simple changes can make a “green” world of difference.
These days, the word on everyone’s lips is “green.” Everywhere we go—from the classroom to the grocery store to the office to the boardroom—we’re encouraged to consider the environment.
And it’s good advice—the choices we make in our daily lives really do have an impact on the health of the planet.
But if you’re a little confused about how to begin, you’re not alone. While you may be getting encouragement to “go green” from all sides, you’re probably also getting very little practical advice.
At One Million Acts of Green we believe that making small changes in our daily lives can add up to big changes for the Earth.
One important gauge for how effective these changes can be is to measure the amount of carbon we are no longer putting into the atmosphere.
The vast majority of scientists now agree that carbon emissions from human activity are directly linked to global warming. And as the planet warms up, we’re beginning to see potentially devastating effects, from rising sea waters to severe storms to decades-long droughts.
As you act more environmentally conscious, you’re reducing the amount of carbon you’re putting into the atmosphere. Together, our small changes add up to a significant reduction of greenhouse gases.
Here are a few easy Green Acts to get you started:
1. Check Your Tire Inflation. A properly inflated tire is the easiest way to improve the fuel efficiency of your car, and less fuel used means less carbon in the atmosphere. Who knew a little air could matter so much?
2. Eat a Vegetarian Meal This Week. Here’s a weird but true fact for you: Cows are a major contributor to greenhouse gases. As the old adage says, what goes in must come out, and for cattle, a lot of what comes out is methane gas. And just like carbon, methane gas gets trapped in our atmosphere. Since the 1960s, the amount of methane in the air has increased by 1% per year—twice as fast as the build up of carbon dioxide. As worldwide demand for beef increases, so do the number of cows and the methane they produce. You can decrease demand by eating just one vegetarian meal per week.
3. Do Laundry in Cold Water. Heating water for home use is one of the major sources of home energy consumption. But these days, thanks to much more efficient washing machines and detergents, it’s no longer necessary to wash your clothes in hot or warm water to get them clean. You’ll reduce your energy consumption per load by as much as 90 percent!
4. Use a Stainless Steel Water Bottle. Instead of reaching for another disposable plastic bottle of water, spend a few dollars and invest in a reusable stainless steel water bottle. More than 80% of the plastic water bottles we purchase end up getting thrown into the garbage, resulting in as much as 1.5 million tons of plastic waste in landfills each year, according to Food and Water Watch, where it will continue to leach toxic chemicals for centuries. More immediately important, that plastic requires up to 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce.
Once you’ve done one (or more) of the above, remember to check off the act from your Acts of Green list to find out how much carbon you’ve saved. Then, share your accomplishment with your friends and family!
Speaking of sharing, One Million Acts of Green can be found on Facebook, too. From there, it’s easy to pledge, complete and also share your acts with friends. Hopefully, they’ll get in on the act, as well!
It gets even better! Our Three to Green sweepstakes can win you a $5,000 eco-shopping spree on BuyGreen.com. Each time you complete three acts you’ll be entered into the sweepstakes!
Other GREEN U Articles:
GREEN U – Get Greener
GREEN U – Get your Green On and Win!
GREEN U – Go Green, Get Green!