How to Go Green Like Al Gore

Going green doesn't mean you have to live in a shack away from civilization. Al Gore advocates reducing unnecessary consumption, considering green alternatives to power your house and car and making more environmentally sound shopping decisions. Yet, Gore hardly lives as a pauper. He lives a lavish lifestyle, but powers it with renewable energy. You can go green like Gore without giving up life's luxuries.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Live a More Energy Efficient Lifestyle

1. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. These lights bulbs are available at most places light bulbs are sold, last much longer than incandescent bulbs and dramatically reduce your energy consumption. Best of all, they provide the same functionality of incandescent bulbs.
2. Drive a hybrid car. Hybrid cars are no longer just small cars. Al Gore drives a hybrid Lexus SUV, which provides size and luxury while being good for the environment.
3. Use a clothesline to dry clothes. One of Al Gore's recommendations he makes during his lectures is to use a clothesline instead of a gas dryer. When weather permits, a clothesline saves money and helps save the earth.
4. Install solar lighting outside. Another Al Gore recommendation is to use solar lights to illuminate walkways and patios. These lights are comparable in price to regular yard lights and use no energy.
5. Cut back on energy consumption with programmable thermostats. These thermostats can be programmed to use less heating and cooling when you're not home.
6. Make appliances, heating and cooling systems more energy efficient. Regularly change the air filters in your cooling and heating systems to make them more green. You can also purchase a special blanket at hardware stores to make your water heater more efficient. These are ways to use less energy without any impact on your lifestyle.
7. Consider alternative energy sources for your home. Al Gore has a 10,000-square-foot home, but the home is carbon neutral. Gore accomplishes this by using alternative energies, such as solar and wind.

Make Green Shopping Decisions

8. Buy recyclable materials when possible. When purchasing a product, look to see if there is an alternative product that has been recycled or can be recycled when you're through with it. For example, Al Gore's recommends recycled aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap or regular foil.
9. Purchase organic goods. Organic foods are green because they are grown without pesticides and fertilizers, which are harmful to the environment. Buying locally grown foods, such as food from a farmer's market, can reduce carbon emissions because the food does not have to be transported a long distance.
10. Use reusable shopping bags. These cloth bags are more durable than plastic bags and reduce the need to produce plastic bags.
11. Check out packaging. One of Al Gore's simplest recommendations for going green is to simply look for products that have the least packaging. Products are often produced with more packaging than necessary.