Green Living has been an interest of mine for quite some time and need more information. I have researched it and just can’t seem to find a sight or book that can explain in simple terms the purpose, how to begin, what it is and how to make it a part of life. I live in a large metropolitan area that to me seems not all "green" friendly. Please only serious replies, life is too short to waste reading junk from people who have nothing better to do with their life than think of stupid things to write.
Wow, such valuable info you have all given me. As I read through I felt I had to give myself a pat on the back, though, because I have already started doing some of the suggestions. It just made good sense to me to do them. Little did I know I was already starting to live Green. Yeah !!!

Here is a list with something for everybody
Everybody is different with different lives here are a 101 Ways To Live More Ecologically,may be you find something that applies to you

1. Avoid disposable in favor of reusable
items.
2. Avoid drying rags in a clothes dryer.
3. Avoid power appliances when handpower works.
4. Avoid highly processed foods.
5. Avoid using styrofoam—it can’t be recycled.
6. Avoid watering driveways and sidewalks.
7. Be responsible and creative with leftover foods.
8. Buy in bulk goods to reduce wasted packaging.
9. Buy energy efficient electric appliances.
10. Buy foods without additives.
11. Buy foods without preservatives.
12. Buy food and goods from sources you trust
13. Buy large quantities to reduce shopping trips.
14. Buy living Christmas trees.
15. Buy locally grown food and produce.
16. Buy organic, pesticide-free foods.
17. Compost your food scraps.
18. Discover and protect watersheds in your area,
19. Don’t burn trash or other smoky materials.
20. Drain cooking grease onto paper bags, not paper towels.
21. Drive a fuel-efficient car.
22. Drive less: walk, bicycle, carpooland use public transportation.

23. Eat foods low on the food chain; avoid meat.
24. Eat more natural, nutritious foods.
25. Educate elected representatives on ecology.
26. Exercise regularly.
27. Explore and learn about your bioregion.
28. Grow your own food, even a small amount.
29. Hang dry some or all of your clothes.
30. Heat your home less and wear warmer clothes.
31. Heat your home more with renewable energies.
32. Hold a potluck dinner to discuss local ecology.
33. If you use a dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle.
34. Install a water-conserving device in your toilets.
35. Install a water-conserving showerhead.
36. Insulate your home to maximum efficiency.
37. Invest for social responsibility as well as profit.
38. Invest in solar power, where practical.
39. Invest in well-made, long-lived clothing.
40. Keep hazardous chemicals in safe containers.
41. Keep appliance motors well adjusted for efficiency.
42. Mend and repair rather than discard and replace.
43. Oppose meddling in ecological balance.
44. Oppose private development of special areas.
45. Oppose roadside use of defoliants.
46. Organize or join a neighborhood toy exchange.

47. Pick up litter along streets and highways.
48. Plant native trees and shrubs around your home.
49. Plant trees throughout your community.
50. Plant your living Christmas tree.
51. Practice preventive health care.
52. Practice responsible family planning.
53. Prepare only as much food as will be eaten.
54. Protect your favorite distinctive natural areas.
55. Purchase goods in reusable/recyclable containers.
56. Put a catalytic converter on your wood stove.
57. Put toxic substances out of reach of children.
58. Recycle aluminum.
59. Recycle glass.
60. Recycle newspaper.
61. Recycle old clothes.
62. Recycle plastic.
63. Recycle used motor oil.
64. Recycle your unneeded items.
65. Re-use paper bags.
66. Re-use plastic bags for storage and waste.
67. Save up for full loads in clothes washers.
68. Save up for full loads in dishwasher.
69. Shop by phone, then go pick up your purchases.
70. Speak out about your values in community groups.
71. Support efficient energy sources in your bioregion.
72. Support elected representatives on ecological issues.
73. Support energy conservation in your bioregion.

74. Support global ecological improvement efforts.
75. Support local credit unions.
76. Support local merchants before large chains.
77. Support neighborhood food cooperatives.
78. Support proper waste water and sewage treatment.
79. Support the cultural diversity in your bioregion.
80. Support the plants and animals in your community.
81. Take shorter showers.
82. Teach your children ecological wisdom.
83. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater.
84. Turn off the lights when not needed.
85. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
86. Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
87. Use cloth diapers.
88. Use cloth table napkins.
89. Use less tapwater whenever possible.
90. Use non-toxic pest control.
91. Use only medications you trust/understand.
92. Use rags or towels instead of paper.
93. Use rechargeable batteries.
94. Use the second side of paper for scratch paper.
95. Use water from cooking vegetables to make soup.
96. Volunteer for work in a community garden.
97. Volunteer to maintain local parks and wilderness.
98. Wash clothes in cold water.
99. Wash dishes in still, not running water.
100. Weather-seal your home.
101. Work to unlearn poor ecological habits.

http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/1996/ip960321…

Technorati Tags: living green

With global warming being such a huge concern in the news these days, are you actually living more "green" now? If so, what steps have you taken to become more environmentally conscious?

The main thing is reduce unnecessary waste, I use motion sensors on my cfl and led lighting so my family doesn’t waste energy, power strips to stop phantom loads. Make sure the house is well insulated, when shopping I look for less packaging and use cloth bags. I recycle and compost but I have to say I am most proud of the rain barrels for landscape and gardening and flushing my toilet. (WATER shortages and overflowing storm drains that cause havoc. SIMPLE stop using drinking water to flush with).

Technorati Tags: living green

Hey all I am a poor college student looking for tips on living more green. I try to buy organic as much as I can but it is difficult with a limited amount of money. Anybody have any suggestions/good finds? Also, any tips on living green?

-Grow your own
-shop at farmer’s markets (Google "Certified Farmers market" + "your town"
- Tofu – it can be dressed in 1000’s of different recipes and cost about $1.50 per package. A package lasts my 2 person house 3 meals or so.
- Fruits and veggies are typically cheaper than processed packaged foods
- meat substitute foods for treats only, they’re good but pricey
-shop in the dry bulk bins (about 60% savings!)
- buy seasonally
-buy based on good prices and work meals around what’s available rather than forcing yourself to buy around a meal plan
-compromise when needed, RTSB free milk may be cheaper than organic. Won’t be as good, but still better than regular
-Depending on your area, shop at alternating stores. Some items are cheaper in some stores than others.
-Some stores have organic generic brands
-avoid fast food and cook for yourself more often

Living green tip – assess your lifestyle and for the next day, week, or year ask yourself where you can reduce, reuse, or recycle.

Some helpful sites:
http://www.treehugger.com/
http://www.eartheasy.com/homepage.htm
http://ecologue.com/Default.aspx

Technorati Tags: buying organic, living green

Does anyone have any sources on why someone should go green?
This is for a research paper, I am having difficulties getting sources

Unfortunately, bring up saving money and lots of people will jump on that. So I would look for sources (try Readers Digest, Good Housekeeping, and other magazines for articles. Or pull up a local area paper and search for articles) that site money savings per household. Sadly not too many people care that it will save aspect of our world, but if it saves them money…then they are there. Maybe take it upon yourself to get them a blue recycling bin from the local recycling center (that can be part of why they don’t do it, just never got the bin). Talk about how infrequently you have to change a eco-lightbulb (that is a hassle that they can be saved). But be realistic. Not everyone is up on the ‘going green’ idea and if they are really resistant, you are wasting your breath and making a nag of yourself. It will not be appreciated or well recieved. In that case, you may have to face that you are not responsible for converting another and you have done what you could.

Technorati Tags: going green, living green, save the environment, saving money

I once came across a Glass ball filled with water, some type of plant and little shrimp things.This ball is completely sealed so it cant be opened.this is because you never have to feed the shrimps things and yet they reproduce and the system can go on for many many years, maybe forever.Hope you know what im talking about.

i dunno

Technorati Tags: eco-friendly, living green