29 Tips to Go Green

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Going Green is Easy

29 Tips to go green's simple idea is to cut down on waste, reusing energy, and centering yourself towards efficiency.

The list below shows ways you can help the earth by minimizing wasted energy. It has ways to waste less water, less electricity, and in the end save you money.

The ideas listed are very simple to put into effect and will get you living green in minutes. If you don't believe me, read the list and see for yourself. The Earth Will Thank You

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29 General Tips 

Can also save you money too.

Every little bit is a step to help save the earth.

If you want to learn more about the tip then just click on the link (if available) to go to a page that will elaborate on the topic.
  1. Change to Fluorescent Bulbs - If every house in the United States changed all of the light bulbs in their house, that would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the streets.
  2. Don't Rinse - Skip rinsing your plates before putting them into the dishwasher. In average you will save 15 gallons of water per load. Plus, you will save time.
  3. Hang Outside to Dry - Get a cloths line or rack to dry your cloths. Your cloths will last longer and you will save money
  4. Turn off computers at night - don't just put them to sleep. You will save an average of 4 cents a day which ads up to $14.60 a year.
  5. Use Both Sides of Paper - if you have a printer with a double sided print option use it. You will save half of the amount of paper you would have normally used.

    Then when your done bring it to the recycle bin.
  6. Get rid of baths - Don't take baths, take showers. You will in average save about half the amount of water that you would if you were taking a bath.
  7. Don't get bottled water - Instead of bottled water get a reusable container to carry water. Also you can get a filter to make your home tap taste more like bottled water. It is definitely more cost efficient.
  8. Turn the water off when you brush - Your parents have said this before, now I say it. You will save 4 gallons of water doing this alone.
  9. Shorten your shower - Every minute you cut from your shower is roughly 5 gallons of water. The less time your shower takes, the lower your impact on the environment.
  10. Recycle Glass - If you do not recycle this, it will take a million years to decompose.
  11. Don't Pre-Heat the Oven - unless needed, just turn the oven on after you put the dish in it. Also, to see if it's finished just look through the glass instead of opening it.
  12. Use Warm or Cold Setting on Washer - instead of the hot cycle use the warm or cold setting. This will save a lot of energy a year.
  13. Turn Down your Thermostat - Every degree lower in the winter or higher in the summer you put it is a 10% decrease on your energy bill.
  14. Turn off your lights - An easy one. Turn off your lights when you are not using them. The benefits are obvious.
  15. Get rid of junk mail - There are many services that can help you get rid of junk mail. That will lead to a lot less trees being cut down to take up room in your mailbox.
  16. Use Matches instead of lighters - Lighters are usually considered disposable so they will most likely end up in land fills. You can use the cardboard matches which are much more eco-friendly because they are made of recycled material.
  17. Don't get a paper phone book - Instead of getting a paper phone book. Use a online directory instead.
  18. Give things away - Take things that you are not going to wear or use and give it to a charity or someone who will use it.
  19. Go to a car wash - Going to a car wash is a lot more water efficient then washing your car at home.
  20. Stop paper bank statements - Why waste paper getting your bank statement mailed to you when you can just check it out online.
  21. Buy Rechargeable Batteries - Even though it will take a good investment to buy these you will find yourself gaining it back in no time.
  22. Pay your Bills Online - If every house in the US did this then we would save 18 million trees every year.
  23. Get a reusable bag - You can't recycle plastic bags, instead get yourself a reusable bag so that you won't have to worry about carrying your necessities.
  24. Do Errands in Bulk - Make a list of the things you have to do, and see if you can fit a couple of those things together in one ride.
  25. Inflate your Tires - If your tires are inflated at all times your car will run more miles on less gas.
  26. Wrap Presents Creatively - Without going out to get wrapping paper you can use newspaper, an old map, or anything else. It would look a whole lot more creative.
  27. Plant a Tree - It's good for the air, can keep you cool, and can increase your property value.
  28. Buy Local Produce - Consider how much energy it takes for produce from china or any other country to come here. If you have the option to buy local, do it.
  29. Walk or Ride Your Bike When you can - If you have to go somewhere close consider riding your bike or walking there instead of your car. It's better on the environment and healthier.

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Learn More About Going Green 

The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time

Amazon Price: $10.04 (as of 11/30/2009)Buy Now
List Price: $13.95
Used Price: $0.49

First of all the book itself stays true to its principles because it is made of recycled paper. Now the book has groups things by first saying where this tip would apply (example: Home, shopping, travel). Then it has the advice that applies.

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Even More! 

You can do so much more!

Obviously there are many more ways to start going green. Going green is staying efficient in the ways you use energy. Try getting creative in your approach to going green.

An example of creativity with going green is my neighbors creation. He has a sizable vegetable garden in his back yard. When ever there is no rain for a while he has to go out and water the garden. That cost him time and money.

Then he thought of his little water tower idea. He made a contraption to collect rain water that did not reach his garden. Then he was able to move the water by pumping the water into a sprinkler that would water his garden. (he does these things for a living)

He saved money on the water and he saved time. The only thing that costs him is the energy it takes for the engine to pump the water into the sprinkler.

You might not be as 'savy' as my neighbor but you could use some of your creativity to be more energy efficient.

"Go Green" Videos 

"going green" is a big topic on Youtube. Therefore, the videos on it about the topic are plentiful.

Going Green Debate

Going Green Debate 2 points

IT going green

IT going green 1 point

Going Green

Going Green 1 point

Going Green: What you can do to make a difference

Going Green: What yo... 1 point

CNN: How Going Green Can Save You Money

CNN: How Going Green... 1 point

Going Green

Going Green 1 point

Going Green with Renewable Energy

Going Green with Ren... 1 point

The Balancing Act Show 842 - Rubberecycle-Pema

The Balancing Act Sh... 1 point

Tongan Rugby fever and going green

Tongan Rugby fever a... 0 points

Matix Ams Going Green tour teaser

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iGo Green - Tip of the day 

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Go Green Books 

Extra: If you want to purchase a used book, then go ahead. I have bought many used books from amazon and every single one has come in near perfect condition.

Also, if you check the page they also have deals on new versions of the book as well with prices almost as low as the used books.

Go Green, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth and Get Rich Trying

I have listed 29 ways to go green, now here are 50 more.

Let's Go Green Kids

If you have a young child in your house, why not help them learn to keep the environment clean?

Global Warming Books 

Do you know, exactly, why you are going green? Understanding the solution must start with first understanding the problem.

Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1,500 Years, Updated and Expanded Edition

In this New York Times bestseller, authors Singer and Avery present the compelling concept that global temperatures have been rising mostly or entirely because of a natural cycle. Using historic data from two millennia of recorded history combined with natural physical records, the authors argue that the 1,500 year solar-driven cycle that has always controlled the earth's climate remains the driving force in the current warming trend.

The Discovery of Global Warming: Revised and Expanded Edition (New Histories of Science, Technology, and Medicine)

From Publishers Weekly
It took a century for scientists to agree that gases produced by human activity were causing the world to warm up. Now, in an engaging book that reads like a detective story, physicist Weart (Scientists in Power; Nuclear Fear) reports the history of global warming theory, including the internal conflicts plaguing the research community and the role government has had in promoting climate studies. Some researchers, he writes, pursued red herrings, while others on the right track often could not get attention or funding. Still others made classic errors but uncovered significant seeds of truth in the process. With just enough scientific detail and plenty of biographical narrative, Weart conveys the difficulties of studying vast, chaotic weather systems. As one of the profiled researchers puts it, the earth's climate is "a capricious beast"; instead of taking its threat seriously, he says, we have been "poking it with a sharp stick." Weart's goal is "to help the reader understand our predicament by explaining how we got here." Blending parallel stories, he implies that although geophysicists took a long time to understand the various elements of global warming, they were all working toward a common goal. Without resorting to fear-mongering, Weart gives an informed history and offers his readers solutions to consider.

Blog About Going Green 

Blaze the Movement

earth from spaceGoing green to some is a way of life. May I suggest that you start a going green blog. It doesn't even have to be commercial, just possibly a blogger blog. It will get you used to the idea of going green, by daily tracking what you have been doing to go green.

If you go online every day, why not? It will take a few minutes and you will be giving a present to the earth.

Also, I invite you to post your new Going Green Blogs on the guestbook.

Your Blog Going Green? 

Yes or No?

Are you going to use the extra 10 minutes a day to congratulate yourself for going green by writing on your blog?

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More Going Green Resources 

Here is a little list that was compiled with online resources that will help you go green.
The Daily Green
constantly updated site on going green. Advice on going green in a high variety of topics.
The Green Guide
By Nation Geographic (Nat-Geo). A great tool that they have is the CO2 Calculator.

Remember!

Save energy the best way you can. Unplug things that you are not using.

Green Chat 

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Water Bottles 

Rechargeable Batteries 

Sony 2500 mAh AA Rechargeable Nimh Batteries, 4-pack

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Sony Rechargeable AAA 900 mAh NiMH Batteries, 4 Pack

Amazon Price: $10.05 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

Xbox 360 Rechargeable Controller Battery Pack White

For gamers who hate when their batteries die during war.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

Duracell Rechargeable Mini Charger

Amazon Price: $19.88 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

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