by Yvonne Moore

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

It takes practice before you are able to without hesitation put your foot on the accelerator or brake at the sight of a traffic light. Eventually it becomes automatic, as does living green. Simple lifestyle alterations can change the red and yellow hues hovering around you and your home to a peaceful shade of green. Here are some habits to brake and new ones to accelerate.

Global warming is caused by the release of carbon dioxide (CO2). This is discharged when using energy supplied to homes from power plants. Lamps, radios, TVs and other appliances that are plugged in sockets or power strips use energy even when not turned on. Check your spare room, dining area, garage, kitchen and bathroom vanity to determine what you really do use daily; unplug the remaining. Use power strips for computers and accessories as well as entertainment centers. It will take practice but will become a habit to turn those strips off when not in use. These small changes can reduce the release of 240 lbs. of CO2 a year and save on your power bill.

CO2 is also released when driving. If public transportation is not conducive to your work schedule or extracurricular activities, there are still ways to yield. Ask colleagues or post a notice in the employee break room of your desire to create a car pool once or twice a week. If you have children, ask their friends' parents to alternate dropping the kids off at soccer practice or ballet. Sharing your goal could trigger other citizens to follow the green path you have chosen.

Did you know that plastic bags from grocers and department stores can take up to one hundred years to disintegrate? As these particles break down, not only do the small pieces litter the land and oceans, they release toxic substances which eventually enter the soil and water. In turn these are digested by animals, reptiles and fish. It is unlikely you will be able to demand your local grocer to provide an alternative since paper bags increase the destruction of trees. What you can do is recycle those in your possession and stop acquiring new ones. Take any leftover bags with you before leaving your home to shop. You may need to post a red note by the door as a reminder to get started. Once the bags begin to wear and tear use as filler material when shipping personal packages. On the inside or outside of the box hand write a comment to the receiver of why you have chosen to recycle, requesting that they do the same.

From the money you have saved on your power bill and gasoline, either purchase or make your own toting bags for future shopping needs. Or, if you have children, use their unwanted back packs for bagging. By the time you have reached this stage other ideas for greener and peaceful pastures will have surfaced your thoughts. These initiatives too will become automatic with practice.

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