31 of 67

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

to make the conversion.

Fruit trees, in particular, would be an excellent way to use the land if it were to be converted from animal raising. Fruit trees not only produce tasty fruit for people to eat, but their roots dig deep into the soil and stabilize the land, preventing against erosion and flood damage. Trees can also convert more carbon dioxide to oxygen than smaller plants, like grain crops, can. Restoring some of the once-vast forests by planting large orchards would be a great step toward stabilizing the earth's ecosystem.

The huge areas of asphalt surfaces are one of the worst causes of heat in cities. Large cities like Chicago or New York City have terribly hot summers, even though they are at relatively northern latitudes, because dark asphalt absorbs heat. Lighter asphalt reflects heat for the most part, but what is reflected then bounces back and forth between buildings and has trouble escaping back to the atmosphere where it can be dissipated. Large buildings also block the wind and prevent breezes from cooling the streets. If large cities were filled with plants instead of asphalt, they would be much cooler. Of course, driving would be more difficult, so nobody wants to actually do this. They plant a few stringy trees between wide parkways or along the sides of highways and think that they are making up for their asphalt. As city summers show, this is not enough.

One important way to go green on a personal level is literally to eat more green foods such as vegetables. Fruit and vegetables and nuts can provide all the nutrients that people need. As long as people buy grain and animal products, though, the large companies will continue to produce and sell those things, because they crave their profits. They will continue to fortify foods with vitamin extracts that the body cannot assimilate properly and claim that the fortified foods are just as healthy as the naturally vitamin-rich foods. Why settle for a substitute?

Even plants that are not good for food can be planted in gardens and such and will contribute to a healthy environment. Many have beautiful flowers and other appreciable benefits. Make the world green with plants, and you will be "going green," although maybe not quite the way everyone else thinks of it.

Learn more about this author, Reiko Yukawa.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Best ways to go green?
We want to hear your view. Write now!