The Green Thing!

Ask 10 people what Green means to them and you'll get at least 10 different answers. It's all about perspective and your willingness to make at least, minor changes. Being Green does not mean you have to make drastic changes in your lifestyle. A broad definition of Green would be to use less resources so we can leave more for the future. Look how easy it can be . Last week I taught the Green Designation course in Marietta and before we started we went around the room to answer the question, "Right now, today, what could you go home and do that would make a difference?"

Not one person had to think too hard and here's what we came up with:

Change out lightbulbs now, or as they blow out to the newer long lasting bulbs. Yes, they are more expensive but they last 4-8 years. Also they have started to make them look more like regular bulbs. Yes they have a very tiny amount of mercury - they are working on that as well. Overall, the energy saved and the loss of waste due to the longevity of the bulbs, more than compensate.

Use less paper towels and more cloth rags. How many times have you thrown away an old T-shirt or an old towel? You can also buy a large quantity of white washcloths for a very low price in the bulk stores like Costco, Sams or BJ's. Wash them and re-use them. The waste from the laundry will be less than adding to the landfill

Use paper and preferably glass when drinking . Buy a non-degradable plastic container for your water instead of taking plastic water bottles with you and throwing them away every day.

Don't let the water run when brushing your teeth.

Don't let the water run when washing dishes or just buzzing around the kitchen.

Get a thermal jacket for your hot water heater.

Lower your thermostat just one degree in the summer and raise it in the winter.

Make sure the dishwasher is full before running.

Use truly, organic cleaning products.

This came from 8 people in less than a minute and the only one with a cost is the thermal jacket for the hot water heater and maybe the rags. Really, will it seriously change your life to if you don't wastefully run water?

So you see, it's NOT hard to do just one or two things. If every one of us did just one or two things, imagine how the world will be impacted! You may not believe in Global Warming but there is hard evidence the ice caps are melting and I don't think it's the Polar Bears scraping them away.

What do you think? We'd love to have you share.

See some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenhaven_home/

Carol Moson, CRS, ABR, e-Pro, GREEN, SRS, REALTOR®
Sales/Instructor/Trainer
Nationally Certified Instructor
EAH Certified
678-414-0760
carol@carolmoson.com