…..More Like A Must.
I believe that every human being is ultimately responsible for his or her own actions. Therefore, as individuals and as citizens, we should endeavor to make choices that are wise, healthy, informed and responsible. We should know that our choices matter greatly to others, both in the present time and in future times, and act accordingly.
We should honor the past but avoid repeating the mistakes of history. We should celebrate the present with a sense of perspective and gratitude. Above all else we should take action today that will work to create a better future for us all.
There is so much more to “green” than so many seem to believe, it is not the best word for the movement but it is here and the need for education on the meaning is needed and a must if it is to take root and become a lasting and successful change.
Education isn’t hard to come by…just google “green” and you’ll get enough starters to cover all your questions.
One of my all time favorite places to go for quality information is “National Geographic”….I never doubt the information or the sources.
http://www.thegreenguide.com/
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Do you know….
US consumers use an estimated 100 billion plastic shopping bags per year – 99% of which are never recycled.
Worldwide, between 500 billion and one trillion plastic bags are consumed each year.
In 1986, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranked the 20 chemicals whose production generates the most hazardous waste.
Five of the top six were chemicals commonly used by the plastic industry.
Paper bags are recycled at a higher rate than plastic, but at the expense of our most valuable and dwindling resource – trees. (EPA)
Plastic bags are dangerous to marine and terrestrial animals, pollute the landscape, and take between 20 and 1,000 years to fully break down. (Nolan-ITU Report)
Cities estimate the costs of plastic bag cleanup and recycling to be millions of dollars each year. (San Francisco – $8.5M per year)
Reducing your speed to 55 mph from 70 mph could increase your fuel efficiency by 23 percent…( this I know for fact )
Using moisturizers and lotions made from natural plant-based (rather than petroleum-based) ingredients is not only healthier for you, but it keeps non-renewable resources out of your medicine cabinet.
Greening our home and business can make a wonderful family project.
In a time when jobs, money, and financial security is on the minds of the majority, it seems the perfect time to set new practices into motion that will over time become habit and in turn will be profitable, both for personal and for business .
A few simple things we can all do to make a difference in the now and train a generation of children to start with better ideas.
A major good thing…recycle, recycle, recycle.
Eliminate as many disposable products as possible from home and your business.
Reduce paper use by considering a two sided printer…Brother has the MFC-9840 that works beautifully.
Install time and motion sensors–it’s amazing how much energy is wasted on appliances and gadgets that are left plugged in/or on when not in use.
Yard and security lights that come on and go off at a set time can be a super energy saver.
And, the really easy one…turn off the lights when leaving a room., it’s just a matter of flipping the switch.
Now, if we consider how much is wasted and how much can be saved by using some simple and easy to do practices in our homes and small businesses…just think how much is at stake when talking about big companies and large cooperations.
Now is the time to take stock, pay attention to who we do business with and what their practices are. Ask if it isn’t obvious, suggest if needed.
Make choices and changes if the option is available and warrented.
Make this the year for “Green Education and Implementation”
Bea Kunz
Sage Hill Farms
