What Does It Mean to Go Green and How It Can Help You Save Money
You’ve probably heard the phrase “going green” more than once by now. Many industries and companies are in the process of implementing energy-efficient technology to reduce, if not eliminate, their impact on the environment. Burning natural gas and fossil fuels contributes to climate change, which is driving extreme weather all over the world, including wildfires, severe drought, hurricanes, and floods.
Going green means investing and learning about new technologies that reduce the effects of climate change. This usually means generating your own source of electricity, buying and using sustainable products, and reducing your dependence on fossil fuels.
Going 100% green isn’t easy. Most of us generate carbon emissions every time we use a roll of toilet paper or hop on a plane, but small changes to your lifestyle can help you protect the plant. Use this guide to learn more about going green:
What is Going Green?
The term essentially means pursuing knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.
Every decision you make can affect the planet. If you want to go green, use this to-do list to get started:
Utilize Sustainable Electricity
Many homeowners are realizing the benefits of installing solar panels on their roof. You can use this technology to generate your own source of electricity for free. The equipment costs money upfront, but you should see a return on your investment after a few years. The utility company pay even pay you for any excess electricity you pump into the grid. With solar panels, your home won’t have to rely on natural gas or coal, both of which contribute to climate change.
Go Paperless
Paper is made of trees, which help pull carbon out of the air. Limit your paper consumption as much as possible to reduce your impact on the environment. Use digital documents instead of printing them out on paper. You can also have your bills emailed to you instead of using the mail.
Sharing
Do you really need your own version of – well, everything? We are moving towards a sharing economy where people are accustomed to sharing the items they use every day, whether it’s a car, bike, book, home appliance, or office supplies. If you decide to share these items instead of buying them for yourself, manufacturers won’t have to make them in the first place, which saves money, fuel, and precious natural resources.
Reuse and Recycle
You should always make a point to buy products that can either be reused or recycled. These products can be melted down or manufactured into other goods, which reduces the need for raw materials like wood, plastic, glass, and paper.
Be sure to recycle these products once you’re finished using them. You can also upcycle these products by using them for something other than their intended purpose. For example, you can use disposable plastic bags as trash bags. Use takeout containers to bring a lunch to work. The possibilities are endless.
You can also buy products from manufacturers that only use sustainable or recycled materials. You should be able to buy the things you love without hurting the planet.
Keep these tips in mind as you consider going green. Contact the professionals at A-1 Guaranteed to learn more about installing solar panels in your home.
