Energy and sustainability fuel many facets of life in the world. A catalyst for homes, schools, industries, universities and businesses, the diversity of enterprises is driven by a common bound to move to a greener, more sustainable form of living. While we all use energy to power our daily activities, many people take renewable and sustainable methods for granted.

Environmental efficiency is on the rise because of technology and green sustainable methods progressing rapidly. Not only will these methods produce a healthier lifestyle and a reduction of your carbon footprint, it will save you money.

Living in a world where environmental sustainability is a vital concern to the future of mankind, it is important to take note of the consequences of improper building materials and environmental degradation. As citizens of Earth, we are obligated to nurture and sustain this planet. Many older homes may still harvest obsolete and corrosive building materials which can create health concerns.

Commonly used to insulate boilers and pipes, most homes built after 1980 could harvest asbestos or other environmental defected insulation techniques. Asbestos is a form of insulation which is swiftly becoming obsolete because of environmental awareness and new protocols.

Asbestos could be present in different forms in buildings and homes built before 1980. If any asbestos is suspected, the best advice is to leave it un-disturbed. Touching or breaking it off may cause it to become damaged and release its fibers into the air.

Asbestos can be found in attics, pipes and ceilings. Improper insulation was used in millions of homes throughout the 20th century and while it is safe when enclosed or in good condition, deteriorated asbestos can cause a slew of health problems, such as malignant mesothelioma. With a latency period that lasts 20 to 50 years, it isn’t until the later stages of progression when physicians usually are able to accurately diagnose this disease.  Mesothelioma prognosis from physicians varies from patient to patient, but is usually poor.

With growing education and technology in green sustainable energy and building resources, many locations in the U.S. are swiftly changing their construction practices to suit the environment and the health of human beings. Most people are unaware to the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs by 25 % per year. Due to these recycled materials, waste is decreasing in crowded landfills.

On February 17, 2009, congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law. Included in this act were extensions of the Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives first enacted in 2005 as well as some new tax credits for people building or remodeling their homes using eco-friendly or “green” materials.

Building green with proper insulation will save you on bills. Rather than expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) conducted a study which estimated a new savings of $50-$65 per square foot for positively constructed green buildings. Currently, many cities in the U.S. have created lumberyards which re-store where you can purchase recycled building materials that are authentically strong and inexpensive.

The Department of Energy concluded that cooling and heating counts for up to 50-70 percent of all energy used in the average home in the U.S. In today’s state, this philosophy can also save natural resources. Rather than expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods.

Environmentally sustainable insulations are made from recycled materials including cellulose, polyurethane foam and cotton fiber. Statistics show that the lcynene foam, for example, can cut energy costs by about 25 percent annually.

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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Source: solar energy