Great Green Idea: Green Living: Facts on Green and Sustainable Living

Facts on Green and Sustainable Living

If you have made the decision to join the millions of people who are helping the environment, there is an abundance of information about how to live green. Eco friendly people are willing to share practical tips and ideas that have helped them to make the change to sustainable living. With so much at stake, every question asked is valid and every effort made counts.

Q: What are the basic ideas behind living green?

A: Living green means committing to practice a way of life that is less harmful to the environment. It means adopting a lifestyle that sustains, rather than depletes, the earth's natural resources. Making a continual effort at conservation as well as to reduce the amount of waste and pollution are a couple of ways to make a difference.

Q: What are some practical ways that individuals can reduce environmental pollution?

A: Every day we use grooming products and household cleaners that add to polluting the environment because of the chemicals they contain. These chemicals are washed down the drain and end up as chemical toxins in rivers, lakes and other waterways. Instead, switch to green products such as all natural cleaning products and toiletries. Biodegradable products do very little harm to the environment since they are made from ingredients found in nature.

Q: How can I help reduce global warming in my everyday living?

A: Toxic exhaust that is released from automobiles and other vehicles leads to air pollution which greatly contributes to global warming. One way to help reduce air pollution is by limiting driving as much as possible. Walking or biking to shorter destination not only helps the environment but is good for the body. Taking public transportation, such as buses or trains, is a good alternative to driving in order to cut down on carbon emissions. Many eco friendly drivers have embraced carpooling to help cut down the number of cars on the road. This suggestion can also save money for busy commuters.

Q: What other factors contribute to global warming?

A: Deforestation for industrial purposes is another cause for rapid global warming. Without enough trees and plants, extra carbon dioxide that is in the atmosphere cannot be absorbed. The domino affect of global warming is that it has caused climate changes which have resulted in flooding and drought in some of the world's forests. Destruction of these forests depletes natural resources, including animal life, which would normally thrive in these habitats.

Q: In what ways can we conserve resources?

A: Sustainable living includes finding ways to eliminate the need to consume more resources. It means evaluating true needs, as opposed to wants, and becoming disciplined enough to limit consumption. When new purchases must be made, consider buying earth friendly products. Many big ticket items can be purchased pre-owned, such as cars and homes. This saves resources that would be used to manufacture and deliver these products. Making a daily habit of conserving energy at home and limiting waste by recycling are other ways to conserve resources which will lead us back to a greener earth.