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Demonstrating concern for the environment in our daily lives is simple. Many are convinced that it takes great dedication and expertise to live a green life, this is not the case. By simple choices and appropriate behavior we can be an example to those we come into contact with.

Once others realize how easy it is to make a difference the positive effect is contagious. Most people think that they can have little or no impact on the environment, that they are too insignificant to matter. Nothing is further from the truth.

Every year more than 380 million plastic shopping bags find their way to landfills across the country. It takes 1000 years for these bags to biodegrade. With the population in the US totaling over 300 million the math is simple. If every American were to reduce the amount of these bags they discard by two per week that would be a savings of 31,200,000,000 bags a year.

Consider this: Just 14 plastic shopping bags contain enough embodied petroleum energy to drive a car one mile. That is over 2 billion miles of petroleum energy, that is no drop in the bucket. By refusing a bag for that diet soda and pack of gum and carrying them out of the store, you have accomplished something. By reusing two bags a week you are making a difference.

Canvas shopping bags can be purchased for as little as $1.00 a piece at most retail food chains. Purchasing one bag every week and using that bag when you return to the store makes a difference, before you know it you will have enough bags to handle an entire shopping trip.

Simple things like recycling, using trash receptacles, choosing neither paper or plastic at the store, purchasing products with less packaging, and taking the bus or walking once a week are things that everyone can do. People will observe your behavior and see how simple it is to make a difference.

I can't count the number of people that have commented on my use of canvas shopping bags, people pay attention. Taking your recyclables to the curb, picking up trash on the street, refusing a bag while in a line at the store, and reminding visitors not to discard paper and plastic in your trash will get noticed.

People will model your good behavior and may ask why you bother, opening the door for further conversation. Any parent or teacher will tell you, we learn by example.

Taking a few simple steps to change your impact on the environment requires so little but gives so much. By taking action you affect the environment and those around you, could anything be easier than that?

For suggestions on simple ways to help the planet visit the link below.

50 ways to help the planet

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