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Putting the Environment First

organic gardening is one way to put the environment first

Adopting a ‘green’ lifestyle is something many people have been doing in recent years, mainly in an effort to preserve and protect the environment and ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy a healthy planet. Terms like ‘eco-friendly’, ‘sustainability’, and ‘carbon footprint’, are buzzwords that can be seen on various places such as media outlets, product packaging, and the Internet, but do we really know what they entail?

They have been so loosely used on many occasions and situations that their true meaning is in danger of being lost. By understanding the real meaning of an eco-friendly lifestyle, people around the world will be able to implement measures that will eventually lead to healthier living for Mother Earth and her inhabitants – both big and small. As populations grow, household energy usage rises, more people learn to drive and other factors impact on the environment, being ‘green’ is increasingly important.

To put it literally, being eco-friendly means embracing practices that make the Earth flourish or are not harmful to the environment. The term often describes products that promote green living or measures that help conserve natural resources such as energy and water. Moreover, eco-friendly products do not contribute to air, land, and water pollution. We can all engage in eco-friendly practices or habits by making a conscious effort to use these natural resources wisely.

Unfortunately, ‘green’ living has been getting a bad rap ever since people became more environmentally-conscious, mainly because the products and practices being advertised are either too complicated to maintain or too expensive to fit into the daily budget of a regular wage worker. However, green living does not necessarily mean applying expensive and dramatic changes like installing solar panels or shifting to a strictly organic diet.

When it comes right down to it, we all just want to do the right thing – and this involves making everyday choices that contribute to eco-friendly living. Apart from being able to protect the environment, adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle can also help people save money and improve their overall financial situation.

How to Put the Environment First… Every Day

In the home, using green cleaning supplies instead of toxic chemical cleaners is not only safer for the family, but also more cost-effective because the former can be made using natural ingredients. Landscaping can also be eco-friendly if you choose a design that requires minimal to no irrigation in order to save considerable amounts of water. Homeowners who are able to adopt xeriscaping will not only conserve water, but also lessen the use of potentially dangerous chemicals and pesticides typically used to keep gardens and lawns looking lush.

Nothing in the home quietly uses up energy quite as much as plugged-in appliances that are not in use. Some studies show that almost 50% of a home’s monthly electric bill can be attributed to powering plugged-in home equipment that are turned off. While every household is different, it is safe to say that most homes can conserve energy just by unplugging appliances that are not being used.

In terms of transportation, we can help the environment by reducing the use of vehicles that run on fossil fuels. This means adopting alternative modes of transportation like riding a bike, walking, and even carpooling with neighbors or co-workers. The bottom line is that taking any of these green steps to enhance your home or office’s energy efficiency can do the planet a favor – and you as well.

This post was generously sponsored by Anna Jones

Image credit: Peter Blanchard via photopin cc

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