Go Green

Why go green? Messages related to "going green" are everywhere. Celebrities tell you to go green. People turn in their SUVs for Hybrids and Smart Cars. There is even a Planet Green network on TV now... but why go green?

What Does Going Green Mean?

Going green means making environmentally friendly choices. This has a wide range of meanings, and there are a whole host of behaviors associated with going green.

Going green can be as simple as recycling and making sure to turn off lights when you leave a room. It can involve taking concrete steps and making small changes, such as using reusable dishcloths instead of paper towels or changing your light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs. It can even be as complex as buying carbon credits to offset the emission you create when going on a jet and turning in your car for a new Hybrid model that burns less fossil fuels.

Going green means something different to everyone, therefore, depending on your level of commitment, your level of environmental awareness, the amount of monetary freedom you have to invest in the green initiative, and your ability to make "green" friendly choices.

Why Go Green?

Going green is important because the population has expanded rapidly, and because for generations, human beings have been doing things to hurt the environment. Many believe that this behavior is catching up to people, or has already caught up.

The behavior of humans has hurt the environment in all kinds of ways. As many as 247 animals are on the critically endangered mammal list, as of 2008. Many of those are endangered because of human encroachment on habitats.

Deforestation has taken a huge tole on the rain forests, with an 8 percent drop in the amount of earth covered by rain forests from 14 percent to 6 percent. Many experts suggest that rain forests will be entirely eliminated by 2050.

The burning of fossil fuels and other emissions has caused an increase in carbon dioxide that has led to global warming. If the earth's temperature continues to rise, the polar ice caps may begin to melt, submerging entire land masses such as Bangladesh (and... some even speculate, parts of Florida someday), and creating havoc on the climate systems of the world.

Landfills are filled with trash, and people throw out hundreds of items every day -from styrofoam to plastics- that could take millions of years to decompose.

All of these things are having a detrimental effect on planet earth, and some day may make the planet a very unpleasant place to live. Going green involves taking steps to minimize the damage humans are doing; to live an environmentally responsible life, and to make choices that will help preserve the earth and its non-renewable resources instead of destroying them.

Going green may also be better for your health and your wallet... by eating natural, organic, locally produced foods, you save on carbon emissions and limits the use of dangerous pesticides... but you also have a healthier meal. By skipping the cosmetics made with chemicals and tested on animals, you don't absorb these potentially dangerous chemicals into your skin. By driving less or driving a more gas-friendly car, you put more money in your pocket.

How to Go Green?

Now you know why go green, but how do you do it? You can go green in a number of different ways. Some simple suggestions that almost anyone can do include:

  • Switch your light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) and make sure to always turn off lights and other electronics when you leave a room. You can also unplug electronics (use a power strip to make this easier) to avoid phantom energy use.
  • Recycle paper, plastic, aluminum and anything else that can be recycled. Likewise, when possible, buy recycled products.
  • Drive less by combining all your errands into one, or consider carpooling and/or using public transportation if possible.
  • Buy locally grown food as much as possible (or grow your own).
  • Wash only full loads of laundry and run your dish washer only when it is full. Consider line drying your clothes and turning your dish washer to the water/power save mode.
  • Use dish clothes instead of paper towels to wipe up messes whenever possible.

There are numerous other small steps you can take to go green that may not involve much effort on your part, but that might make a big difference to the planet.

Author: Christy Rakoczy
Source: http://answers.yourdictionary.com/science/why-go-green.html