Author: Lisa Whitaker

So everyone is talking about going green.  Sure, you’re not tooling a round the suburbs in an armored tank, but are you doing what you can to lower your impact on the environment?

There are lots of industries built around using your guilt over the state of the environment as a catalyst for their profit.  With all the things you can buy, there is almost always a green alternative.  But here’s another alternative – how about if you don’t BUY at all?

Any environmentalist worth their snuff will tell you that reducing your consumption is the best way to reduce your negative effect on our globe.  The less you buy, the less you waste; it’s that simple.

But sometimes, there are things you really need, or that you really want, whether you need them or not.  Here’s a novel idea – Rent!

Do you like spending a few weekends each summer on the lake?  Instead of buying a boat that you have to pay to store during all the times you’re not able to make it to the water, why not rent a boat when you want to get away?  Maybe you’re taking the kids and you need a pontoon boat, or you’re heading out for a waterskiing weekend and you need a high powered ski boat.  If you’ve got enough friends or family, renting a houseboat, might be a great weekend trip, too.  If you’re renting, you can tailor what you’re using to what you need in any given situation.  And, you can feel good about taking steps toward a greener world.

If you’re traveling with a baby, you know how much baggage can come with it.  Now that airlines are charging for everything you want to bring on board, it can get pretty expensive, too.  And, if you buy baby items to use once you reach your destination, a lot of those get thrown away or left behind when you head home.  To avoid that excess consumption, take advantage of companies that you can rent baby equipment like cribs, swings, toys and strollers.  It’s not only less expensive; it also helps keep you greener.

Thinking of throwing a party?  Decorating for a 50th Anniversary or a super sweet sixteen party can be a lot of fun – and a huge strain on your budget.  You can save that money for the food & entertainment when you rent party decorations.  Renting decorations also leads to less cheap, disposable decorations which means your celebration won’t be a downer for the environment.  From some companies, you can even rent Christmas decorations – you can go all out and still afford to actually buy some gifts.

It’s true that we’re a nation of consumers, but we’re also consumers who are starting to take a greater interest in the effect of our consumption on our planet.  It’s a great idea to cut back on purchases, and renting is an option that still lets you enjoy some of the finer things in life.

So the next time you’re considering a purchase, reconsider.  Renting is an option that can save you money, and can do at least a little bit to save the planet.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/renting-as-a-green-concept-771708.html

About the Author

Lisa Whitaker,

Lexington Kentucky

Author: Brandi Cummings

Many of us want to be responsible citizens of the Earth. We think about the effects our lifestyles have on the environment. We are concerned about global warming. We want to ensure our children’s future on this planet is one that still has clean air to breathe, an abundance of trees and wildlife, and clean water to drink. However, many of us also think that the sacrifices might be too great to “go green” in our own office. Good news. It’s not as difficult as you think.

There are 3 areas where you can make a significant impact without significant expense or inconvenience: paper, lights, and electronics.

The average American office worker throws out about 150 pounds of paper per year. Paper manufacturing contributes to the deforestation of the planet and in America is responsible for 35 million tons of CO2 a year. So what can you do? Buy recycled paper. Make full use of that paper by printing on both sides and/or using paper that is only printed on one side for scratch paper. Do your proofreading and edits on your computer before printing to reduce the number of prints you make. Re-use file folders by placing new labels over the old ones. All of these changes are easy to make but have a big impact. Pretty painless, right?

Another way you can go green in your office is as easy as changing a light bulb. In fact, it is changing a light bulb. Incandescent bulbs use 4 times more energy than is necessary to produce light. Halogen lights can get as hot as 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s hot enough to cook an egg! Alternately, Energy Star certified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) use 75% less energy to produce the same amount of light, last 10 times longer and produce less heat. If you feel like you need even more reason to switch to CFLs, consider that you will also save money over the lifetime of the bulb. Once you have made the switch to energy efficient bulbs, make sure lights are turned off when they are not needed. A great way to ensure that this happens is with motion sensors that will turn the lights off when everyone has left the room.

38% of all of the carbon dioxide emissions come from the electricity we generate. That electricity is used to power all sorts of things. A major drain on our electricity is all of our office equipment such as computers, copiers, printers, and fax machines. When going green with your electronics, you need to look at 3 factors. You need to consider the waste that is created in the manufacturing of the products, the effects on the environment when you use the products, and the waste that is created when you are done with the products. That may seem like a lot to think about but if you follow these simple guidelines, you will be able to minimize the negative impact your office equipment has on the environment.

The manufacturing of electronics uses a lot of resources including electricity, raw materials, and water. Electronics also account for billions of pounds of municipal waste each year. Just a few of the contaminants that electronics create are toxic heavy metals, lead, PCBs, mercury, and various acids. To lessen your office’s affect on the number of new pieces of equipment that are manufactured, as well as end up in land fills, buy all-in-one machines that combine multiple functions into one. Whenever possible, get rid of machines completely by using services such as Internet fax. With an Internet fax service you get rid of the fax machine completely, as well as reduce the amount of paper and ink that gets consumed. Another way to decrease waste is to recycle machines that are no longer working and donate those that do to charities where they will stay in use.

25% of the total electricity used by all commercial buildings in the US is consumed by office buildings. When buying any new office equipment, look for Energy Star certified machines. This will make a huge difference in the amount of electricity that is used to run your office. For example, an Energy Star certified computer is going to be 52% more efficient than a standard one. Laptops also use a lot less energy than desktops, so consider whether this is a viable option for your office. Energy efficient machines are also going to have stand by options that will power down or go into sleep mode to conserve energy when not in use. Once the office is closing for the day, make sure that all equipment is powered off.

Taking these steps will get you on your way to going green in your office. And as I promised, they will help you make a significant impact without significant cost or inconvenience to you and your employees. And you thought going green was going to be hard.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/going-green-in-your-office-the-easy-way-197420.html

About the Author

Brandi Armstrong is an expert author on various topics relating to small and home based businesses. Take the first step to going green in your office and visit www.shopgreenoffice.info today.

The United Nations has warned that within two decades, the majority of the earth’s population could face serious water shortages. If we all become more aware of the amount of water we each consume and make conserving water a part of our daily practices, we will be part of the solution to this looming problem.

In our homes, the bathroom is where most water is consumed. For the average family approximately 18 percent of their total water usage is from bathing and showering. Our toilets account for as much as 28% of our water consumption. What can you do to reduce water consumption in the bathroom?

* Use a bucket or watering can to catch water that would normally go down the drain as you wait for your shower water to warm.

* Replace shower heads with low flow fixtures. Prior to 1992 the flow from shower heads was 5 gallons of water per minute. After that date the flow was cut in half to 2.5 gallons per minute.

*Take shorter showers. Shortening your shower by just one minute can save as much as 912 gallons of water a year.

*Consider replacing high flush toilets with a low flush model.

*If replacing the toilet isn’t an option, place a plastic milk jug filled with water or rocks in the tank. This will displace some of the water that would normally fill the tank.

The typical single-family suburban household uses at least 30 percent of their water outdoors for irrigation. Some experts estimate that more than 50 percent of landscape water use goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff caused by over watering. What can you do to reduce your water consumption in the garden?

* Install drip irrigation systems. These use 20 to 50 percent less water than in-ground sprinkler systems and water isn’t lost to runoff.

* Water gardens just after sunrise or at sunset to reduce evaporation.

* Mulch gardens to reduce watering requirements.

* Cut grass a little longer and more often and then leave the cut grass as mulch.

* Use drought tolerant plants in your garden and drought resistant grass for lawn. * Sweep leaves off the driveway rather than using the hose to remove them. * Consider capturing rain in a barrel to use for your gardening needs. Use rainwater for your yard and garden, and lower your water bill. A roof area of only 1,000 sq ft can provide approximately 600 gallons of water during a one inch rainfall. Adapting just a few of these tips into your daily routine will not only save you money on your water bill but also conserve the precious water that is needed for all forms of life to exist.

As of 9:15am, October 14, 2009, Lake Lanier has returned to full pool for the first time since October 2005. The lake had reached the 1050.97 foot level on December 8, 2008 and many declared Atlanta’s primary source of water dead. It has risen over 19 feet since then. Most Atlantans are probably sighing in relief as the memory of a four year drought has been replaced by other concerns. Unfortunately the problem is not over. Two other states and a federal judge have made that clear. So what can we do to solve the water problem? We cannot solve the political issues but if we are proactive as individuals we can lessen the impact of any future decisions. What follows are some ideas that you can employ in your own life to not only help water issues but save money.

Atlanta is one of the largest cities with the smallest sources of water. Many large cities started as ports at the mouth of large rivers.  Atlanta grew up around transportation. First were the railroads then the interstate highways and then an international airport. Metropolitan Atlanta grew from 1.5 million people in 1960 to over 5 million today.

Water used by Atlantans comes from the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers (ACF River Basin). In the area north of West Point, we withdraw from 700 million to 1 billion gallons per day. We return over 80 percent of that water during months we do not water our lawns and only 66 percent on average during summer months. Non thermoelectric power production (water is used in cooling towers) usage varies from 35 percent to 58 percent. Again during summer months we water crops for agriculture and lawns, so there is not only higher usage as a percentage total but also a larger percentage that is absorbed in the ground and not returned.

This takes us back to the original question. What can Atlantans or other citizens of cities with similar water issues do to help the situation? We consume a large portion of the total water used outside of electric generation and during our heaviest use in the summer months return much less than normal as we water lawns. The largest impact we can make is to rethink our yards particularly lawns. Outside of lawns our consumption of water for use in the home at best only returns 82 percent of the water used. So reduction of water usage in the home is important as well.

During the drought water restrictions prevented all outdoor watering. Most people found out which plants were drought resistant. While lawns did not look as good as normal during the hot summer months they did not die. With spring and fall rain the grass will usually recover. I grew up in Atlanta and nobody had irrigation systems. It may be time to rethink our landscaping. Grass is the number one consumer of residential water that does not get returned to the river basin. We need to consider shrinking lawn size, plant drought resistant grass and employment of drip irrigation. When I lived in Israel our landscaping used very little water and was lush.

In your home the majority of water consumed in the average household is in the shower. 25 to 35 percent is consumed during bathing. The average showerhead delivers 5 to 6 gallons per minute. Higher flow showers became very popular and rain heads can deliver even more. Today there is a wide range of showerheads that use as little as 2.5 gallons per minute without performance degradation.

While selection of the showerhead is important it is not the only factor. Depending on the distance from the water heater to the showerhead the water wasted can be significant. Two possible solutions are a tankless water heater or recirculation water systems. Tankless systems are on demand and located close to the shower. Recirculation water sends water periodically back to the water heater so that hot water is almost immediately available. The downside is an increase in electrical usage, but this can be mitigated with a timer. These can be retrofitted into existing homes. Also gray water recycling could be used but I will discuss this later.

Another area of high usage is water for toilets and vanities. Building code calls for low flow toilets but there are dual flush toilets that can significantly reduce water usage by allowing users to differentiate between solid and liquid waste. Existing toilets can be retrofitted. Vanity faucets waste lots of water as users run water needlessly while brush their teeth. While expensive, motion sensor faucets can reduce significantly water usage. Alternatively family education and awareness can reduce this waste.

The last area I will discuss in this article is grey water recycling. Due to quick growth in Atlanta, construction outstripped sewer capacity. The result was significant use of septic systems. The problem with septic is once used the water is not returned to the river after treatment. The water stays on the property. Long term if municipalities increase sewer capacity the gap of water used and returned.

In the interim, if the water we consume can be used twice it would reduce water loss. There are systems for grey water recycling that take water from showers, vanities or appliances that have no solid waste and treating it. This water is subsequently used in toilets.

To be certain, Atlanta faces an uncertain future with its limited resources and pending legal action. Other cities face the same problem. All these strategies can be employed by individuals while waiting for government solutions that may take years. Most of the ideas discussed will not only help solve our water issues but can save money. Water has been cheap until now, but as resources become scarcer this will change. These are not pie-in-the-sky ideas. Last winter as Lake Lanier reached ever lower levels there was concern that Atlanta would not be able to draw water from Lake Lanier. This is a real problem and incumbent upon all of us to make a difference. For more information:

http://ga.water.usgs.gov/olympics/atlanta.wu.html

http://www.thewatergeeks.com/Water-Consumption-sp-16.html

The new Obama administration has indicated a strong focus on developing America’s renewable energy resources. So whether you believe global warming is man-made, or purely a result of the earth’s natural cycles of warming and cooling, now is a perfect time to adopt an individual green lifestyle that will conserve energy, save water and result in a cleaner, sustainable environment. The availability of eco-friendly products and services is becoming a great green wave that will make it easier for everybody to become more environmentally friendly. And it doesn’t take a major change in lifestyle to contribute to a cleaner and greener world.

Historically there has been a high cost barrier to moving to green products, but that is becoming much less of a hurdle as more companies compete to offer better, greener products. While certain high-end goods remain out of reach of all but the most well off, the energy saving benefits of many green products quickly offset any higher up-front cost. Green cleaning products are often more concentrated than the regular chemical products and therefore offer good cost comparison for their total use.

In most areas of the country recycling programs are the first introduction to helping protect the environment we live in. Unfortunately, the incredible variety of different collection programs leaves much to be desired and there is much to be done in the future to improve the effectiveness of this process. Maybe this is one area where sensible State or Federal regulation could create common recycling procedures and improve the efficiency of collection and re-use. Back yard composting can reduce the disposal of yard and food waste which is estimated to make up around 30% of the waste stream going to landfills.

With the increasing pressure on energy costs around the world and the improving technology developments in solar and wind power, we can expect to see greater utilization of these natural resources in the future. Solar technology is developing very quickly and becoming more usable and cost effective. Solar lighting and water features are now very efficient and an attractive, clean addition to any garden landscaping. While solar leasing programs are making solar power more available for individual homes. Wind power is a very hot topic right now with the Pickens Plan receiving a great deal of publicity. If we are able to capture the tremendous wind energy resources in the US, and then develop an environmentally friendly means of distributing it around the country, it could make a significant contribution to the greening of America.

Along with the growth in the availability of green products has come the problem of identifying what is truly green and “how green is it?” As with any product for sale, the claims of the best and the greenest can often be somewhat exaggerated. However, this need not be too big a distraction. It is not necessary to choose the most energy efficient, or the most natural cleaner, to contribute to a greener world. A higher efficiency rating in a replacement appliance, or a natural cleaning product that gives the best results, enhances the green footprint but should also fit in to the personal choices of a modern lifestyle.

The decision to go green can be as dramatic or as gradual as each individual or family wish to make it. Once the “green light” goes on however, it does appear to take on a life of its own. Each green choice, small or large, contributes to the growing movement towards a more eco-friendly world.

If the choices are there and the barriers to their use are coming down, who wouldn’t want to reduce their use of the earth’s finite resources and convert to a cleaner, less polluting, healthier, green lifestyle.

Peter O’Grady is the owner of It’s Eco Time.com and writes on a variety of subjects involving our impact on the environment and the options available for living a healthy and sustainable green lifestyle. To find products to save money, energy and water and for other green topics visit http://itsecotime.com and share your comments and questions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_O’Grady

Energy efficiency around the home is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to help conserve energy around the globe. Replacing aging appliances, re-insulating walls, and recycling are just a few of the ways everybody can get involved with conservation and eco-friendly habits. Though some of these may seem like they will require planning and extra money, others will help you save money on your monthly utility bills. Replacing old incandescent light bulbs with newer compact fluorescent bulbs can help save hundreds of dollars a year in addition to providing a longer lasting light bulb.

To illustrate the savings and to provide a workable plan for switching from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lighting, the monthly and yearly cost of running both types of light bulbs in a moderate home with two inhabitants, has been calculated. By knowing the daily electrical usage of each light bulb and the current electrical rate, one can determine the monetary and energy savings for any period of time.

Using a particular household, 62 light bulbs were counted and their wattages noted. Each light fixture was then assigned a number representing the average number of hours it is active each day. By multiplying the hours the light fixture was active, by the total wattage of all the bulbs in the fixture and dividing by 1000, the total energy use per light fixture can be obtained. Multiplying the number of days in a month by the sum of all the energy required, will yield a monthly energy usage in kW/h. Multiply this number by the current electric rate to find the cost of running the lights in a low traffic household.

Daily energy required by all 62 light bulbs equated to be 5.87 kWh. At the current local electric rate of $.093 per kWh, one month would cost $16.61. The yearly rate would be $199.32. By replacing each light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb, one could cut their daily usage down to 1.53 kWh, resulting in a monthly cost of $4.34, and a yearly cost of $52.03. The savings would be $147.30 per year and result in a $12.27 savings every month.

The example above assumes a low daily electrical usage, but even low electrical demand will return substantial monthly and yearly savings, plenty to pay for the cost of replacing all incandescent bulbs in a home. A family of four or more could easily save hundreds of dollars a year in lighting costs.

There are a few reasons that more families have not taken this step in their homes. Compact fluorescent light bulbs may seem expensive at first glance with a bundle price of around $3 to $4. At high demand, a new compact fluorescent may actually pay for itself in as little in one month as savings on your utility bill. Also, many people do not realize just how much electricity an incandescent bulb requires annually. Learning about the savings in electricity and utility bills may help to encourage more families to adopt this strategy in their homes.

A plan started 60 days ago, to replace five incandescent bulbs each month, has already resulted in lower energy bills for this particular household. Though, due to low usage, it will take a few months to realize the savings, each month will continue to add savings until all 62 lights have been replaced. Since the life of each compact fluorescent is longer than a standard incandescent, the savings will also be realized over a longer period of time.

Removing incandescent light bulbs and replacing them with compact fluorescent bulbs, can result in a 75% lower lighting bill over the course of a year. In addition to turning off electrical devices when they are not in use and replacing appliances with newer energy efficient models, taking small steps such as replacing light bulbs can save money on utility bills at an amazing rate.

Below shows the savings of a low traffic household.

Electric Rate     0.093
# of Days    30.42

Monthly Savings    $12.27
Yearly Savings    $147.30

When you hear the term “green living”, you may get an image in your head of hippies living in communes making everything they use. Truth is:  the definition of green living has changed. The concept simply includes doing things to help the environment be viable for future generations. If you don’t feel like shedding your worldly possessions and living in a mud hut, here are a few steps you can take to make your life a little greener.

Buy local organic products. Organic farmers not only use little to no chemicals, they also take steps to reduce water and soil degradation, along with other problems caused by traditional agriculture. Grocery store vegetables have usually been shipped a long way, which causes environmental pollution trucks and planes. Buy your produce from a local farmer’s market or coop. If you can’t find one, start your own organic garden.

Use natural products. Household products that don’t contain chemicals are not only better for the environment; they’re safer for your family as well. You can make various cleaning products from stuff in your kitchen, like vinegar. If you don’t have the time, there are products you can buy. Just make sure they’re all natural and don’t just have a few natural ingredients. 

Reduce. We’ve all heard the spiel about reduce, reuse, recycle; however, most of us focus on recycling and completely ignore the reducing. Try to use products that don’t end up in landfills like cloth diapers instead of disposables or regular towels instead of paper ones. Buying concentrated products or products in bulk also helps reduce packaging materials, production and distribution costs.

Reuse. Many people have gotten in the habit of sending their recyclables away in the bins, but there’s more supply than demand in the recycling market. That’s why it’s also important to reuse items if you can. Before you throw something in the recycling bin, consider whether you could reuse it for something else. Also consider programs like freecycle, Craig’s list or garage sales which allows you to offer your gently used (or even broken) items to someone else. You really never know when your trash is someone else’s treasure or learning tool. 

Recycle. We should all have a recycle bin in our homes, but you can do stuff to recycle on your own. Make your own rich soils with a compost pile and you can recycle plants, shredded paper and uneaten bits of fruit or vegetables. You can also use products like shredded plastic bags to mulch your garden.  If you get creative, there’s lots of recycling you can do on your own.

Conserve Energy. There are so many things you can do to save energy. The big plus on this is that it also saves you money. Get low energy light bulbs for your fixtures. You could also take more drastic renovation steps by getting new energy efficient windows or installing solar panels. Even small steps like setting the thermostat a degree higher or lower or unplugging appliances not in use can make a big difference. A big way to conserve energy is to get a more fuel efficient car, or get rid of your car altogether. If you don’t need a big SUV, then don’t get one. You’ll be doing the environment a big favor.

Teach your children. You might not be able to change the world on your own, but you can start a trend by teaching others to be more environmentally friendly, starting with your own kids. Make sure your children know what steps you are taking to improve the environment and why. And most importantly, make sure you are all doing all you can for a sustainable future!

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Marine turtle populations have declined drastically over recent years and now of the known 7 species, all are considered protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). By acknowledging the bleak situation we have created for sea turtles, multi-national programs have began to collaborate resources in an effort to protect the nesting grounds and ocean habitats needed for a recovery of marine turtle populations.

Many factors have contributed to the decline including the over harvesting of eggs, destructions of habitats, pollution, fishing nets, and contact with ocean vessels. These actions combined with the low survival rate of hatchlings due to predators, have escalated the need to provide a working program to address the situation.

In the Philippines and Indonesia, Green turtle eggs are being poached and collected at unsustainable record highs. Entire ecosystems deteriorate with the loss of sea turtles as eggs and even decaying hatchlings help provide nutrients to areas that lack other natural means of plant production. Also, marine grasses are dependent on grazing animals such as sea turtles, to maintain a healthy production of wide spread grass beds, as opposed to taller blades that block out sunlight to the ocean floor. These sea beds provide shelter and sustenance to many other marine animals and the decline of the sea turtle has consequences for them all.

Some species, like the Pacific leatherback, are at a critical level with fewer than 500 females coming home to nest on the beaches of Mexico and Costa Rica. Alongside natural threats, poaching appears to be the top cause of their decline. Because some females take 30 years to mature, the effects of over harvesting and fishing can take years to remedy.

Although sea turtles have struggled recently, many conservation groups are putting in time and resources to help their plight. A new agreement has been laid out to coordinate efforts to increase and protect turtle populations. 27 signatories to the agreement are giving a broader picture of efforts and accomplishments being put forth to meet population goals.

The United Nations Environment Programme’s, Douglas Hykle, states “Participating countries have made progress in many areas, but there is still room for improvement. Many have yet to clearly describe their resource needs and to mobilize sufficient funding for domestic implementation; and only a few are carrying the burden of supporting international coordination efforts.”

One effect of sea turtle conservation can be seen in the increase in population of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. Though, down to just 700 nests in 1985, the Kemp’s ridley turtle has made a comeback thanks to efforts by the Mexican government to curb illegal harvests and lower the effects of shrimp trawlers.

Loggerhead turtles, off the coast of South Africa, have increased greatly over the past four decades with some 1,750 nests compared to a low of only 250. Loggerhead and other sea turtles are important because they have been known to carry as many as 100 different species of plants and animals in and upon their shells, being directly responsible for the survival of many different marine species.

Over the course of Earth’s history, many animals and plants have become extinct and it is only natural. Recently, though, dramatic changes created by humans are forcing the rapid decline in many vital species of marine plants and animals. As outlined above, many of these animals are vital to the health and future of thousands of other marine species. By acknowledging the problem exists, we can begin to address beneficial steps to change the course of current events. The Bali conference that is taking place shortly, will help to further examine the recent UNEP report about sea turtles and being to change the communication of participating countries and organizations.