Reasons Why You Should Go Green

Are you “green” enough? You heard this buzz about “going green.” Why does it mean exactly?

It simply means reducing the overall impact on the environment. If  you use  a computer monitor, use the one with good energy star rating. Instead of using your own car, you would use public transportations. These are just some examples of going green. Visit here for more ways to go green.

By doing all of these, you are saving the environment, preserving it from further damages, and making your neighborhood eco-friendly. But why? What’s the benefits of doing the extra effort for you? FrontDoor.com tells you some benefits from going green.

• You can save tons of money on your utility bills. By using eco-friendly equipments and devices in your apartment, you could save on your bills. The reason is because those eco-friendly equipments are designed to use less power, water, or gas. For example, energy star monitors are using 20-30% less energy than the normal monitors. The results are lower utility bills.


Eco-ride

• Your air is cleaner. Let’s say that I’m using public transportations instead of my own car (2002 Ford Explorer). I will save my neighborhood from 18,341 lbs CO2 per year. Don’t you think you would breathe better air without 18,341 lbs per year? Or, you could just use one of those cute eco-rides.
• You are preserving your surroundings. For example, by having more trees in your area, they will cool your area during summer and act as a windbreaker during winter. As you see, at the end, you are the one who will receive the benefits from going green.

So back to my original question, are you “green” enough? If you are, tell us some of the things that you did to make your life “greener.”

Photo courtesy of Angie_Torres.

US Navy Thinking Outside the Box!

Although, I’m Army through and through, I have to hand it to the Navy on this matter. Today, April 22, 2010, the US Navy launches the first green supersonic jet. As the largest consumer of fuel in the Navy, The F/A-18 Green Hornet is attempting to make the first supersonic flight on biofuel. One half of the fuel the jet is burning is oil made from the crushed seeds of the Camelina sativa plant.

This is a huge step in the Navy’s and the nation’s efforts to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel. The challenge is for the Navy to confirm the Green Hornet can still perform its full range of flight operations while using the bioblend fuel.  If this venture turns out to be viable, then several things will be set in motion. First, in December of 2009, 14 airlines agreed to negotiate the purchase of the fuel and second, call your stockbroker because Biofuel stock will be the hottest ticket on the planet.

To read more, visit the website for National Geographic News.

Photo courtesy of  FRielp

Using the Remains of the Day for a Greener Lifestyle

I find it interesting that we worry about what happens to our discarded paper and plastic, but if you are serious about going green, consider recycling leftovers. You would be surprised how much you can save by not shoving your food waste down the disposal. So let’s take a look and see how we can get the most out of our grocery dollar.

First of all, did you know Americans waste over 100 billion pounds of food a year? And you know that carrot you think is biodegradable? It can take up to 40 years for it to disappear! One way for us to cut back on the amount of food we waste is to analyze everything that goes into the trash and what goes down the disposal. If you are throwing away a half box of stale cereal, then you should either buy a smaller box or consider storing it in airtight containers. If you tend to have leftovers from weekly meals, then try preparing less or taking them to work for lunch. The trick is to take inventory and either find a way to use what you have or prepare less. If you would like to read more about recycling your leftovers, including some recipes to help you use them up, visit the website for WholeLiving.com.

Photo courtesy of Petrr

Who are Captain Green’s Unsung Heroes of Clean Water?

They are called shiny pigtoes, purple wartybacks, monkeyfaces, and pink heelsplitters. Who am I talking about? Freshwater Mussels! Who knew they were such amazing and fierce filters of earth’s freshwater ecosystem? Because of their importance in maintaining clean water, we must act now to make sure they are protected.

Just one little shiny pigtoe can filter up to a gallon of water an hour. If you think in terms of thousands of these little “suckers” (literally), you get a clear look of the bigger picture.  The United States is home to the largest number of known species of freshwater mussels. However, if we don’t wake up and determine a way to increase their numbers, we could lose them. Over 1/2 of the freshwater mussel species are in danger of  becoming extinct or already are.

Mark your calendars now for March 22nd, 2011. This is World Water Day, so be sure to remember the freshwater mussel and the part it plays in the purification of our water now and in the future.

To read more about World Water Day and the job mussels do, visit the website for National Geographic.

Photo courtesy of  JoelDeluxe

Frito Lay is Front Runner in Developing a Healthier Planet

The next time you choose a  health conscious snack, make sure you choose one that is Earth conscious, too. Frito Lay, a member of PepsiCo, is a true pioneer and leader in the fight for conservation of our resources. Not only have they manufactured the best snacks on the earth using simple, farm-grown ingredients, but early on, they embarked on a corporate mission to conserve natural resources and reduce their environmental footprint.

Frito Lay is all about taking steps to restoring the health of our planet. In fact, their track record is clearly visible in the steps they have taken over the years to prove their committment to conservation. Here are a couple of the 46 Steps to a Healthier Planet.

1. In 1939, Frito Lay began their journey by reusing and recycling their shipping cartons.
2. In 1979, the second step was realized when they began to collect the starch which remained in the water they used to wash the potato slices. This resulted in recovering around 64 million pounds of starch per year.
3. In 1985, Frito Lay built the headquarters facility in Plano, Texas. To protect the watershed, they made a committment to maintain the 39 acres with organic fertilizer. In true conservation fashion, they left the remaining 249 acres in its natural state.

Now, these are humble beginnings, but if you would like to read the other impressive 43 steps, please visit the website at FritoLay.com.

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