4 of 319

Write now Article Tools

Protecting our environment has become critical in this day and age where we hear so much about global warming. I often hear arguments from people that it won't matter what they do as individuals if the whole world doesn't do the same thing. My point of view is that an individual can and will make a difference. And the more people that strive to make that difference, the larger a difference will be made.

"Going green" does not have to be a complicated process. It does not take a ton of research or cost a bunch of money. In fact, your family can "go green" with very little energy by doing even a few of the following ten suggestions.

1. Recycle! Don't just throw everything into the trash; all that results in is fuller landfills. Set up specific areas for each recyclable. For example, large trash cans work quite well. If you set up one for aluminum, one for newspapers, and one for recyclable plastics you will go along way to reducing your trash and helping the environment.

2. Donate your unneeded items to charity instead of throwing them in the trash. Your garbage bill will be lower, the landfill will be emptier, and other people will be able to benefit from your donation.

3. Carpool or take public transportation if you are able to. Eliminating even one trip a day in the car can make a significant impact on the air quality in the area. Plus, it will save you money in gasoline costs and wear and tear on your car.

4. Turn off the lights if you are not using them. I have been working with my kids on this one for a long time. Every time I would walk through the house I would turn off lights in rooms that had no one in them. I finally have the kids getting into the habit of turning the lights off, and my electricity bill is much lower without running lights twenty four hours a day. Lower electrical usage equates to better for the environment because the electrical power plants don't need to produce as much electricity.

5. Get an outside clothes line and use it. I did some research and discovered that each load in my electric dryer costs about $1.00. I have been using my outside clothes line faithfully and for every load I put on the clothes line, I throw a dollar into my vacation jar. The kids are getting into it too now; we are planning a trip to Orcas Island in the San Juans and using the clothes line just might get us there with the amount of laundry we do in this house. It is a double bonus; the electric bill will go down and the vacation fund will go up. Plus, what is

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Easy ways your family can "go green"?
We want to hear your view. Write now!