What Is "Going Green"?

The phrase "going green" appears daily in our lives whether on television, in the newspapers or on the Internet. Everyone talks about "going green" or "being green," but what does it mean? Simply, it's the catchword for environmental consciousness. Many companies are trying to gain customers and market share by advertising that they're green organizations.

Why the Hoopla About "Green"?

If you've heard about "going green," you've no doubt heard about global warming as well. There is one school of thought that ascertains the climate change we're experiencing is man-made. Temperatures are higher today because of burning fossils fuels and other similar human impacts. There's another consortium of scientists who believe and show evidence the climate change we're experiencing is a normal planetary cycle.

Conservation Is Key

Regardless of which side of the global warming debate you're on, there's no argument that conservation is key. Humans, especially those in well-developed societies, have taken the environment for granted. Unlimited clean air and water have always been part of our high standard of living. There's no need to conserve, or maybe there is. There are many simple things you can do to "go green."

Water

It's easy to take water for granted. We turn on the faucet and get as much clean, potable water as we need. For that reason, we waste a lot of water as well. There are many simple things you can begin doing immediately to reverse that trend.
Don't let the water run while shaving or brushing your teeth. Ditto for doing the dishes. Washing machines and dishwashers should always have full loads before running them. Landscaping that requires extra watering is wasteful. Use only those plants that are native to your area and can survive with normal rainfall. Palm trees don't normally grow in the desert.

Electricity

Like water, we generally have and therefore waste, a great deal of electricity. Electricity has enabled creature comforts that were unknown a century ago. Home heating and air conditioned are the best examples. And these are the biggest users of household energy. No matter how you heat or cool your home, adjusting the thermostat accordingly (cooler in winter, warmer in summer) is a great conservation idea. Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Twenty-first century electronics suck a lot of electricity as well---even in the "off" mode. Control them with power strips you can turn off when not in use.

Three R's

The "going green" three R's are: reduce, reuse and recycle. Reduce the amount you waste---especially water and electric. You can also reduce the amount that goes into landfills by reducing and reusing. Cut back your use of disposable products. They may save you a few seconds, but they also clog our landfills.
Recycling means not only diverting materials from our landfills, but buying recycled products in the first place. Read the labels. Product packaging should not only be recyclable, it should be made with recycled material in the first place.

Products

A lot of companies claim to be green, but who really is? Read the labels and do your homework. Don't assume that just because the label says "Good for the environment" it really is. Watch out for phosphorous in soaps and detergents. Weed killers and pesticides should be used with extreme moderation, if at all. Paints and solvents can wreak havoc when not disposed properly.

It's a Balancing Act

We sometimes lose sight of the forest for the trees in the green movement. Understand that "going green" or "being green" is truly a balancing act. For example, peanut butter containers are made with a recyclable plastic, but how much water do you waste trying to get them clean enough to recycle? Likewise, although organic foods might be better since there are no chemicals or pesticides used, where are they coming from? If your food is being trucked across the country, the organic stuff might not be as "green" or environmentally friendly as you think. Everything has a price. Use good judgment when making your "green" choices, and don't rob Peter to pay Paul.