Living green is the concept of using environmentally friendly products and renewable or sustainable resources in our day to day lives. It means being careful about the energy we consume, the chemicals we use to clean and fertilize and the amount of waste we generate instead of recycling or conserving. Let's take a look at a day in the life of two friends, Carl and Fred, as they go about their daily lives, trying to live green and minimize the carbon footprint they leave behind.

"Hey, Fred!" Carl called out to his neighbor across the street. "Where are you going?"

"Carl, am I glad to see you," Fred threw his canvas grocery bag over the handle bars of his bicycle and started to walk the bike across the street to greet his friend. "I'm on my way down to the market. The produce truck comes in by 9:00 A.M. each morning down at the farmer's market and I want to get a good selection of organic apples and some of that locally grown corn before it's gone."

"That's great," Carl replied. "I usually swing around there during my lunch hour when I take a short walk." Carl bent down to tie the laces of his walking shoes. "I'm on my way down to the stationery store right now. I have a couple of reports to send in to the office but I thought I would stock up on the recycled printer paper that's on sale before I settle down back here in my home office to finish them. The boss checks his e-mails like clockwork so I don't want to be caught sleeping on the job just because I'm working from home."

Fred nodded his understanding. "I tried those compact fluorescent light bulbs you mentioned in my home office. The light output is more than adequate compared to the incandescent bulbs I was using, and the difference in my electric bill is significant."

"Hate to say I told you so, Fred," Carl chuckled. "But, I told you so. I hope you installed those dimmer switches as well. No sense burning electricity when you or the family leave the room."

"Oh, I've been using dimmer switches for awhile, Carl. That and the programmable thermostat I installed have really saved me some money and I feel better knowing I'm helping the environment."

"Hear you bought a new car, Fred. One of those hybrid models."

"Had no choice, the way I see it," Fred sighed. "With the price of gas I know I just couldn't continue to drive that gas-hog I traded in. "

Carl nodded his agreement. "I'll be looking at one myself. Now that we're down to just one car in the household, I want it to be good on gas and good on the environment."

Fred waved to his friend as he swung one leg over the bike and started to peddle down the street. "Why don't you check with Carol about coming over this weekend? We have a new recipe for vegetable soup and our garden is just over-run with carrots, peppers, and tomatoes. We'd love to share our bounty with friends."

"Sounds great, Fred. I'll let you know."

The two friends parted, knowing they would see one another at the same time and same place tomorrow as they began their day's activities.

Learn more about this author, Leann Zotis.
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