by Ryan Headley

Created on: July 01, 2008

In light of the current movement towards a cleaner environment and a reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels, green has become the new black. "Going green" seems to be the newest trend, except this catchy lifestyle has serious implications. Global warming is no joking matter, nor is the price that is being paid at the pump, so when we seek to go greener we are standing up to the current situation our planet faces.

The good news is that we can change our lifestyles to thwart the negative effects of global warming and high energy costs. Aside from the obvious benefits, there is also a certain prestige attached to being the green household on the block. Your neighbors will also become green - green with envy of your socially conscious children and your much smaller electric bill. You will be sure to be queried about your environmentally sound habits, so it's easiest to just lead by example and let others follow suit. Here are 10 simple tips that will allow for an easy transition to a greener lifestyle.

1. Power down. It seems like a no brainer to just turn off the lights when you leave a room, but an incredible amount of energy is lost everyday through wasted electricity. Make a family decision to be conscious about how and when you utilize electricity. Investing in power strips that can be flipped off before going to bed is a smart idea, because even when your appliances are turned off but still plugged in, they are still using up electricity.

2. Recycle. Don't just recycle cans and bottles; recycle paper, ink cartridges, and anything that can be reused for a new purpose. You could also recycle scraps into a compost pile.

3. Get rid of the gas guzzler. If you can't afford to buy an energy efficient car like a Toyota Prius, then try to drive less. Think about car pooling, riding a bike to local places, walking and avoiding unnecessary trips out.

4. Eat less meat. Animal agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions - believe it or not. Raising livestock is very wasteful in its nature and consumes a great deal of energy. If you can't cut it out completely try to cut down by replacing red meat with plant based proteins.

5. Grow your own garden. Obviously the more food that is naturally produced at home, the better the environment is served.

6. Purchase low-flow plumbing fixtures. Replacing your showerheads, sink faucets, and toilets with low- flow fixtures is a huge step toward conservation. If every household bought a low-flow toilet,

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