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

I visited the Cayman Islands a few years ago fairly soon after the islands had been hit by a strong hurricane.  Even though this area takes a beating during hurricane season, the waters and beaches surrounding the island are extremely beautiful.  Corals, fish, and stingrays are some of the highlights of this popular destination.  While snorkeling, I was in close proximity to a medium sized barracuda and many other smaller colorful fish.  One of my favorites was a flounder about the size of a plate, camouflaged against the sand beneath me.  If you are ever find yourself on Grand Cayman, make sure to check out Stingray City.  There really isn’t any experience like it.  With a little reluctance at first, we mingled with dozens of large stingrays, while feeding them squid.  You will know you picked the right vacation the first time a 100+ pound stingray swims into your outstretched arms. 

A number of environmental problems are facing the Cayman Islands today.  Global and Ocean Warming is increasing the magnitude of tropical storms throughout the Caribbean.  High winds destroy trees and increase erosion.  Waves caused by tropical storms break apart reefs which in turn leave no place for fish to hide.  As with many environmental problems, this is mostly man-made.  Animals on the islands are also threatened due to development of the land.  In particular, the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana has been in jeopardy of becoming extinct.  Since this animal is only found native to the Cayman Islands, the Blue Iguana needs our help to survive.  Luckily, The Cayman Islands National Trust has stepped in with captive breeding, education, protection, and research.  The Cayman Islands are just one of the many places that are effected by pollution, global warming, and human interaction.  This factors represent themselves exponentially on these pristine environments.  Hopefully, the Cayman Islands can continue to be an exotic place for many years to come. 

One of my favorite vacations of all time was spent canoeing on the Boundary Waters on the Canadian/Minnesota border.  With water so clear you are able to see the bottom in 10 feet of water, and a pristine environment covering over 1 million acres of untouched wilderness.  If you enjoy camping, canoeing, and fishing, these waters will provide one of the greatest experiences of your life.  Thousands of miles of streams, rivers, and lakes wind around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.  Motor boats are restricted, and frequent portages while carrying your canoe or kayak are required.  This helps to keep the tourism to a low and preserve this wonderful area.  Though this is not always for the weekend camper, not many camp grounds can compete with what you will find here.  I plan on going back to the Boundary Waters at the end of July.  I will update with plenty of pictures when I return. 

If you would like more information on the BWCA or would like to obtain a camping permit, visit the BWCA website.

BWCA Homepage

Thanks to jmagnusphoto for the pictures.