by Pink Tree

Created on: June 06, 2008   Last Updated: June 11, 2008

Making the decision to go green doesn't mean you have to uproot from where you live and start all over. There are plenty of simple changes any household can do that won't make you have to go out of your way or spend a lot of extra money. Actually making this simple decision will end of saving you money in the long run by breaking you current energy hog habits.

The first and the most logical way to become green are to plant a tree. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air and also help fight global warming. They also produce oxygen and provide shade in the summer for everyone to enjoy. Next, you need to swap out your light bulbs. That's where these cool new compact florescent light bulbs come in. The use less energy than your regular bulbs you're going to recycle, and provide the same amount of light. These wonder bulbs do much more: they generate less heat than regular bulbs, making your rooms cooler, and that amounts to less money paid to the energy company for air conditioning costs! Cool...literally! After your shopping spree for compact light bulbs, come home and clean out your mailbox. Sort through your mail and make two piles: things you want and things you are going to toss. But instead of tossing those things just yet (you should actually recycle them...another way to be green!) take out the postage paid slips and write "unsubscribe me" on them. Sending them back takes you off that company's list for catalogs, offers, and other things you don't really want. Doing that not only benefits you since you won't be buried in unwanted mail, but it saves the company postage costs and energy costs since they don't have to make as many catalogs and that saves a whole lot more paper. Next, take a trip around your home and turn off lights, appliances, and other random energy wasting electronics that aren't in use off. Also unplug any cell phone, MP3, or battery chargers from the outlets. The lights and other electronic appliances are taking up energy that doesn't need to be used, obviously. The chargers are using energy too, even though many people do not know they are doing so. Also consider using power strips that you can leave things plugged into but can switch off when you leave the house or at night. Finally, when a special occasion comes up, such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, even Barmitzvas, you can think green there too by giving a green gift. Many stores now carry various green items that are made to be gifts for certain occasions. These gifts not only encourage the person to become green, but they also use fewer materials than a regular gift.
Going green is not a hard thing to do. Following these simple initial steps will eventually lead to you doing more and more things to help the environment; including telling other people about the results you are seeing from these simple things. Your success story may lead others to follow in your footsteps and become green too!

Learn more about this author, Pink Tree.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.