by Natalia Jones

Created on: May 11, 2009   Last Updated: January 18, 2010

Gandhi is famously quoted as saying, "We must become the change we want to see." When we are enraged because big oil companies are damaging the environment while reaping gargantuan profits or because the government is soft on punishing polluters, might we be accused of throwing stones while living in glass houses?

It is simply not good enough to pat ourselves on the back for separating our trash. The pollution problem has become so huge that the standard of merit for earning enough brownie points to call oneself "green" or "environmentally conscious" has gone way beyond this basic level. We as inhabitants of the earth must educate ourselves on ways that we can truly adopt a greener way of life at home.

Reduce, reuse and recycle has become the mantra for environmental advocates the world over, so much so that there can hardly be a discussion of saving the environment without reference to the triple Rs. The following article is built around the three Rs and is sure to get you and your family on the way to a greener lifestyle.

Reducing your consumption is the first step on the road to becoming a more responsible citizen of the earth. Many skip over this critical principle and think only of recycling, maybe because the media has zeroed in on this aspect. If one were to be devious, one may be able to speculate that this off-centered focus was intentional in order to not to put a spoke in the wheel of the consumer culture responsible for keeping the economy spinning. Reducing consumption is necessary to truly effect a change, since this will directly result in less waste. Adopting a mindset of using less amid a prevailing culture of instant gratification can feel like swimming against the current, but if we don't do it, we are destined for a legacy of shame. Following are some practical tips to reduce what you use:

1) Reduce your water consumption. Pay attention to problem areas such as leaky faucets, large-tank toilets, and letting the water run while washing dishes.

2) Reduce your energy consumption by switching to energy-saving appliances and replacing your lightbulbs with CFLs.

3) Borrow books from the library or use the Internet instead of buying paper products.

4) Implement a 30-day waiting period before making purchases, to evaluate if you really need the item. This will greatly reduce impulse buying.

5) Create and use notepads from once-used paper.

6) Buy in bulk. This saves money and you can avoid buying products that are individually wrapped for

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