Going Green: Conscience Not Guilt

June 20, 2011 | By In living green | Comments(0)

For instance, recycling takes just a couple of seconds, rinse the can, then throw it in the recycling bin, versus tossing a dirty can into a trash can. Or composting, my mother has had a covered plastic bowl next to her sink for years; every few days when it gets filled with the cuttings of fruits and veggies or coffee grinds, she empties it into her compost pile out in her back yard. I carry a supply of shopping bags in my car so they are always with me when I need to run into a store. The choice to “Go Green” doesn’t need to be complex.

Step-by-Step

If we think of our environmental issues purely on a global basis, we will be overwhelmed. Yes, it is good to be educated as to the enormity of our world’s pollution problems-millions of acres of trashed landfills; our oceans turning to plastic soup; fish, birds, and animals killed by pollution. But the very best thing that I can do about this global crisis is to take steps in my life to counteract the crisis. Start by taking steps, practical, achievable steps, that bring ideals into reality.

Steps To Take Now

Use recyclable shopping bags. Recycle as much as possible. Conserve Energy-turn off electric lights or appliances when not using. Conserve Water-use only what you need. Lower your thermostat for Winter. Insulate your home well, especially windows, attics, and basements. Donate your used items instead of throwing them out. De-chemicalize your home-buy natural soaps, shampoos, and detergents. Buy organic and Fair Trade.

Steps To Consider For The Future

Purchase solar panels to supplement energy usage.

Buy a solar water heater or a passive batch solar water heater. Get a rainwater collector for garden and yard watering. Evaluate a small-wind turbine for your property. Buy the most eco-friendly car you can afford.

Research the Green tax incentives for your State and the Federal Government at www.dsireusa.org/ (The database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency).

Convictions, Conscience, and Consciousness

Consciousness is the awareness of something, a knowledge. We need to gain a consciousness about the earth around us and learn to be part of the solution by our actions. Read Green: educate yourself on the issues and make informed decisions in your daily life. When a person has a consciousness of the environmental problems of our world, she will have a sensitive conscience as to her participation in that problem as a consumer, and thereby develop convictions that will lead to specific actions. Living by a conscience that is fueled by your convictions will kick-out guilt.

Guilt Paralyzes, Conviction Sets Free

If every time you see your neighbor’s recycling bins set out you cringe with guilt-once again you missed recycling day-then you will be paralyzed by that guilt and keep in the same cycle. But if by reading about Going Green or Environmental issues you gain conviction to why you should recycle and how recycling can really save the earth from pollution-you will be set free to practice green choices and they will be a part of your life.

Start Here:

Pick one issue that you have conviction about. For example, plastic shopping bags, “According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually” states resusablebags.com , only approximately 20% of which are recycled. They rest are filling our trash dumps and finding their way into our rivers and oceans-where in each they never biodegrade, only photodegrade, or break down into smaller, poison-attracting, plastic molecules called “nurdles”. You have the power to do your part in cutting down your use of plastic bags.

Reuse your plastic shopping bags for multiple trips, keep them in the car for easy access. And slowly buy a supply of reusable shopping bags to replace them. Often local grocery chains and other stores offer a small discount if you bring your own bags, that can be a monetary savings of close to $30.00 per year and an environmental savings of over 1000 plastic bags loosed on the Earth. You can reward yourself at the end of the year with a night out at the movies with the date of your choice! It can become a family tradition.

Pamela Palmer is the founder and writer of Natural Cleaning Product Reviews at http://www.greenkeen.blogspot.com. Pam is also a contributing “Green” writer for the ezine, Suite 101 .
She has written for print publications and other websites.She resides in Western Maryland, near the mountains and enjoys writing poetry from the porch of her almost one-hundred-year-old house. She is the wife of a very patient man for the last 21 years and is Mom to two energetic teens, a goofy dog and a street-smart cat. Visit her poetry blog goldapples.wordpress.com when you get the chance.

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How To Live Green – Eco Friendly Tips For Reducing Your Carbon Footprint

July 11, 2010 | By In living green | Comments(0)

With all the information out there in the news and on the internet most people are at least aware of pollution problems. The issue is more serious in some areas but the fact remains that we all contribute to it. The concern is that with more people on Earth now and more pollution we are harming our environment.

Since we breathe the air that is out there what is in it should be a top concern for each of us. Yet we often go about it without thinking twice about it. There are enough individuals suffering from health concerns due to what they have been breathing in for years.

With all of the pollutants out there right now, imagine what it will be like for future generations. You may don’t care must as you won’t be around. Yet you will have family who will need to deal with the problems. Even y our own children and grandchildren who are the next generations will be affected by it.

Each of us has the power to make some positive changes though. Some people believe that living green is a waste of time because you are only one person. Yet if the educational information out there about it could encourage many individuals to all do their part it would have quite a significant impact overall.

The efforts of only one person over the course of their lifetime will significantly reduce the amount of pollution out there. Teaching children from a young age what they can do and why will allow that process to continue being implemented in our society as well.

We also have the responsibility to let the government and businesses know that we expect them to take action. Buy what you can from companies that due have plenty of living green concepts incorporated for customers to take advantage of. At the same time you need to influence your government to place laws in effect that limit the amount of pollution that can be emitted by a company as well as by individual vehicles on the roads.

If you are ready to start living green and to do your part to reduce the carbon footprints you have placed on this Earth it is time to learn about the various ways you can do so. It is never too late to make some positive changes to your behaviours so that you can live healthier and so can everyone around you…. Read more

: If you are interested in green eco and would like to know about green eco product you should definitely visit http://www.ugogreen.co.uk
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