What does it mean to be green? Is there really a green movement? Sometimes I start a conversation about making money on the Internet and changing my lifestyle to be more green and environmentally sensitive and I get blank looks and stares. My friends, family, and people around me just don’t get it. So is this Web 2.0 movement, and this green movement real? Yes, but it is just beginning.

One of the most important things that we are trying to accomplish in our travels is to show people that being green can be done in both an everyday living situation, and on vacation. We just happen to be living everyday as a vacation. But that is a different story.

So how can people living everyday lives be green? The three basic steps to a clean environment are Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

REDUCE Heat, and Increase the Air

In the winter if you decrease the settings on your thermometer in your house by just 1% it can save 5% in energy usage, and that usage translates directly into money saved. That is a win win situation. In the summer use fans even with the air on. Fans are much less costly to run than an air conditioning unit, and it can actually make you feel cooler. Increasing the temperature of your thermostat in the summer by 1% can save you up to 8% in energy consumption and again that translates into savings.

REUSE

It is not all about recycling items; it is just as important to reuse items and it will save you money! What do you do with all your empty water bottles? Recycle them, great but what about getting a water filter filling them all back up and keeping them in the refrigerator for the next time you are thirsty. You can do the same with sandwich baggies. Where is the rule written that you have to use baggies only one time? Have fun with being environmentally conscious. Make it a competition for your family to see who can reuse the same item the most (no prize necessary).

RECYCLE

It does work. There are many things out there that can be recycled. Your daily newspaper can easily be recycled. All those cereal boxes. Cans are an easy recycle. If you do not have a deposit in your state on beer and soda, then recycle those bottles and cans. Here in Nashville we have very limited recycling pick-up, but almost every city has a recycling drop off area. It only takes a few minutes to go and drop your recyclable items off.

Be Active

This is such a benefit and it is so underutilized. Becoming active increases your lifespan, decreases STRESS, makes you look better, and gives you more energy. But it also conserves energy usage. If you are outside on a walk, or at a park, or heck just cleaning up the yard, you are saving money. Most of us today listen to the radio, watch tv, have lights on, or are doing something that is consuming energy while they are indoors. You just don’t need that stuff when you are outside.

Be Conscious

Set your mind to work. Make a decision to conserve and be nice to mother nature. Your brain and your body will find ways of doing so. Your mind is very powerful. Use it, it will thank you.

We do our best to conserve energy, and recycle. We do on occasion throw something out that can be recycled, and we do on occasion leave too many lights on, but because we are making a conscious effort and most of the time we catch ourselves and turn those lights off.

Be green, stay fit, and live life.

Bryan

Tags: Green // Add Comment »