Determining the degree of your green living takes a few factors into consideration. You can take each issue to varying degrees from fanatical to laid back. This article will help you determine how far you are prepared to go.
Each group will have their own reasons, some for environmental reasons, others for health and still others for lifestyle choices.In a group of greenies there will be varying approaches to a green lifestyle. Some may be saving every cent to get onto a piece of land to become completely self sufficient, others may be recycling, cooking from scratch and growing veggies and still others will be going organic in their food.
On top of this each will have their own goals and ideals about green living. Makes for an interesting bunch, doesn’t it?
I have always been of the variety that we must live in our reality, and rejoice in it. For me this meant that we were city bound. We could not, even though we tried repeatedly, purchase a farm or piece of land close enough to my husband’s office.
So we had to take what we had and make the most of it. We were looking for healthier food choices and to live more simply. For you, it maybe that you want to reduce your carbon footprint and you will do everything in your power to achieve it.
How do you determine how far you will go to pursue a green lifestyle?
The best thing is to start of with assessing where you are right now with green living. Here are a few guidelines for looking at the big 6 issues:
Transport
Do I drive out for only one item?
Do I go out in my car everyday?
What is the fuel consumption of my car?
Do I regularly service my car so it is more fuel efficient?
How often do I make use of air transport?
Can I telecommute a few days a week?
Can I consider working from home?
Food
Do I often buy convenience foods?
Do I eat meat every night?
Do I make use of organic food/markets?
Do I buy local?
Do I buy boxed food and premixes or do I make my own?
Do I attempt to grow at least some of my own vegetables?
Power
Do I leave lights on unnecessarily?
Do I heat my oven for one thing?
Do I have energy saving light bulbs?
Do I use a heater/electric blanket in winter?
Does my house light up with standby lights at night?
Is my hot water cylinder set below 60 deg C and does it have an insulation blanket?
Do I wash clothes in hot water or cold?
Do I run my tumble dryer constantly or line dry when I can?
Consumerism
Do I often rely on retail therapy to feel good?
Do I have to have the latest and greatest?
Can I say no to something I want, but don’t need?
Will I shop in thrift stores or must it be new?
Do I always take up the “upgrade your cellphone” offer even if my current one is fine?
Water
Do I let my sprinkler run in the heat of the day?
Do I let everyone in the household run a fresh bath?
Do I shower instead of bath?
Do I harvest rainwater for garden watering?
Do I let the water run while brushing my teeth?
Do I use bottled water?
Do I wash my car with a bucket or hose?
What cleaning products do I use?
Waste
How full is my bin each week on collection day?
Do I compost my vegetable matter?
Do I have a worm farm?
Do I drink bottled water?
Do I use clothe or disposable diapers for my baby?
Do I use green feminine hygiene products?
How much junk mail do I throw away?
Do I use rechargeable batteries?
Do I use cloth or plastic bags when I shop?
Do I have a recycling system set up in my home?
Do I throw away things no longer used but still good enough for someone else?
All these things you can consider and see how many of them you do already and how many you still need to implement. Then you are taking the first step towards green living.
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