Green is a way of living that is environmentally friendly and advocates conservation of our natural resources and the environment. Until I took the initiative of learning and advocating about Green, I had this habit of leaving the mobile phone charger plugged into the electrical outlet. I have seriously grown out of it now. Below are few questions that highlight some of the simple ways to conserve our environment. Let’s determine where we stand collectively.
Here is what you do:
For each question you answer YES, give yourself one point. Add all your points and click that number in the poll on the side. That is where you are on a scale of 0-10 based on the criteria in this post. You have until June 30th to tell us this. Invite your friends and family too. Please share with us your opinion in the Comments section.
Do you close the tap water while you brush your teeth or shave?
Do you recycle cans if curb-side recycling or plastic recycling facility is available?
Do you take your own bags to grocery store for bagging?
Do you avoid purchasing bottled water on a regular basis?
Do you turn the computer or TV off when not in use?
Do you turn off the lights when not in use?
Do you buy energy efficient bulbs whenever possible?
Do you prefer doing your weekly shopping in one trip?
Would you carpool if you are offered the opportunity?
Would you consider heating your pool using solar panels as opposed to electric or gas heater?
Don’t forget to check on July 1st, 2009 how we perform collectively.
SHARE WITH US IN THE COMMENTS SECTION WHAT 'BEING GREEN' MEANS TO YOU AND WHICH OTHER CRITERIA YOU WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE IN HERE.
Our next family project is to work on turning the TV off when not in use.
NOTE: This is not an official survey or questionnaire and is not a comprehensive list of Green criteria.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
In today’s world, there is a movement to go to green materials for the home. There are four categories that green material typically fall into; Energy Savings, Water Savings, Resource Savings and Healthy Indoor Air Quality.
ReplyDeleteThe word green is often associated with a product being environmentally friendly. What does that mean? Green means something different to almost everyone. When one thinks of bamboo flooring or cabinets, many people consider it green because it comes from managed forests and bamboo is a quick growing tree unlike the maples and oaks in the United States. Others think of bamboo as not being green since it has to be shipped across the ocean usually from Asia. This requires a large amount of energy and pollution to be shipped into the United States.
As you search for green products, there are a variety of websites (some free and others require a fee to be paid) as well as the manufacturer’s website that you can go to and research the product(s). Most of these sites are great and useful, however, it is difficult to compare the products side by side. You typically need to toggle back and forth to view them. There is a new website that has been launched, www.buildwithgreenproducts.com that has over 2,100 products listed where you can compare the products side by side. This enable you to see the common features side by side such as how much energy a water heater will use or what a countertop is made of.
So, how can you help the environment and use green products that have the least impact on our world? That is really up to you as the final consumer. You need to make sure that what you feel is important to you is what your product ultimately has in it. Is it made with post-consumer recycled material? Is it able to be recycled when you are finished with it? Is it made with glues that emit zero or minimal volatile organic compounds (VOC). Is it made locally or across the country, which would require a large amount of energy to have it shipped to you? Does it have a certification such as Energy Star or WaterSense? Ultimately, it is up to you in selecting the product that helps the environment and fits the look and feel for your home.
I'm 16 years old and I'm as 'green' as I can possibly be right now.. I reuse everything I have and I don't buy products unless they're reusable. All the garbage in my house(plastic bottles, toilet paper tubes, disposable containers, empty boxes, etc) goes to me and I use them to create architectural models and sculptures and whatnot. All food waste goes to me too.. I use it to make compost for my garden ^_^ I'm also a proud vegan (WHOO HOO FOR VEGANS!) I've convinced my mom to buy a water filtration system and get solar panels installed on our house. In my house, the green movement is alive and well!
ReplyDelete