‘Go Green’ is the buzzword of our times. Go Green is the mantra that is used everywhere, right from fashion, food, technology, health, travel… Go Green means changing one’s lifestyle for the safety and benefit of the environment. 
Because of globalization, the world is becoming smaller and smaller and the lives of people (plants, animals and ecosystems) are linked with each other. Toys made in China can affect the quality of life in Europe, pesticides used in Bolivia can affect the health of people in US and and greenhouse gas emissions from Australia can affect a diminishing rainforest in Brazil.
While it is easy to say that it is not impacting me right now, but it does. Everything that we do every day has an impact on the planet, which can be good or bad.
No action is too small. Even if everyone made a few small changes in their lifestyles, it all adds up to help our environment. Each one of us can do something to help conserve and make our planet and it’s environment more friendly for us and our future generations.
Here are some simple things we can do to Go Green:
- Laptops require fewer materials to make and although they may seem expensive, they use up to 90% less energy than desktop computers.
- When using cooling systems, minimise the area being cooled. Close doors to areas not being used.
- Fixing even a tiny leak in a toilet cistern might save 36 litres of water every day.
- Reduce waste by avoiding one-piece disposable razors. Choose a quality razor with a disposable blade instead.
- Driving at 60 km/hour in third gear uses about 25% more fuel than driving at the same speed in fifth gear.
- Some of the advantages of using public transport is that you can work on a laptop, read or meditate while travel.
- Cycling reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and the most common form of diabetes.
- Cut back on the use of disposable products. If the styrofoam cups used in Australia each year were placed end to end, they would circle the world ten times.
- Eat seasonal, local, organic foods — you can enjoy fresher, tastier foods and improve your personal health.
- Cook food which has ‘quick and easy’ recipes or which is a ‘meal in minutes’. This one is my favorite for a lot of reasons.
Experts say that it takes 21 days to form a new habit- that’s only 3 weeks to a healthier living. By practising the 3 Rs : Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, we can leave a green footprint on our Earth.
What are the Green choices you have made in your life?
For some more food for thought on this subject, do read Vidya’s post : Going Green
Reference : 1001 Easy Ways for Earth Wise Living & Images : Google Images
88 Responses
Relevant issue in today’s times!
Another point is Water Purifiers. These days many people use RO based water purifiers which waste as much as half the water. The waste water must be collected and used for mopping, etc.
Second is technology waste. Buying latest gadgets is common these days. We should be prudent in upgrading too frequently. We are just adding to the e-waste.
You have shared a very important and valid example, Reema. I have a friend who collects this waste water from RO and uses it to water the plants or for mopping as you suggested! Yes, reducing the e-waste is so important but it is ever increasing with technology become obsolete so fast!
I do it too 🙂 But I am not sure yet about watering plants with that water because it has an imbalance of minerals. So, I don’t put that into my plants but many people do that.
Besides, when I read more and more about reusing and recycling, I can’t help thinking about the way our grandparents and parents used to live. Recycling was a way of life. Do you remember the assorted dabbas and jars in kitchens, which have been replaced by identical, bought over containers in our case? Well, we are following Western people, and they are teaching us the old things again. Life is coming full circle!
Agree, many people water their plants with RO waste water. But read here… http://www.indiawaterportal.org/node/29551 that the reject will not be tolerated by normal garden plants! 🙁
Oh yes, recycling of so many things was done earlier, but now we are into newer and newer things and discarding the old things at a faster pace!
We save the shower water and use it to refill the toilet cistern. Troublesome, but virtuous!! Even in Ireland we have water shortages – the real problem is antiquated pipes leaking. That is the public service’s job…
That’s an idea, Madeline! But how is the shower water collected?
Shilpa,,This is a very informative and enlightening post. All the precautionary measures given by you are practical, but unfortunately people do not adhere to them.
Going Green has to become a way of life then only we can make our planet safe for the future generations! Thanks Ma’am, glad you liked it. 🙂
This is a G for Great post! Gaea (mother earth) thanks you. It has also made me think about questionable habits. So I thank you too.
From the A-Z neighborhood,
D is for Deecoded
Thanks Dee… it is truly the time for all of us to introspect and act! 🙂
A great post regarding the biggest concern of our times. I have been always doing my bit in what I can consider “my service to mankind”. Besides being disciplined ourselves we can teach healthy/civic habits to the next generation as well. Guess we all need to be in it together!
Good work!!
kajalkapur.blogspot.in
That’s so cool Kajal! If each one of us do our bit, we can bring about a huge difference! 🙂
This would have been my alternate choice of ponder if I were not doing the crazy ‘verse’ thing 😉 Great advice. “Precycling” is something else we can get into – by looking for uses in the stuff we already have, instead of going and buying more:-) Thank you. Laxmi
Aha! But your verses are so very ingenious! Really admire your skill! 🙂
That is a very valid point, Laxmi… I guess Vidya also mentioned this in her post about window shopping and buying only when it is definitely needed! Thanks for sharing 🙂
My theme is the same for G 😀 I am adding your post in my “I recommend” today 🙂 You are right about the “no action is too small!”
😀
Enjoyed reading your thoughts on this subject, Vidya! And thanks a lot for sharing my post on your blog. I am touched and appreciate it! 🙂
I like how our posts complement each other! 🙂 Thank you for linking!
You are choosing informative and time relevant topics for your challenge, shilpa.YEs, a little change goes a long way. A need of the moment post. Good going…..
Thanks a lot, Asha. True, boond boond se saagar bharta hai! 🙂
That is lovely thoughtful post… ! If we all start thinking just a tad bit extra and worry about the generations to come ! We really could make a big big difference ! I hope lots of people realise that… I will share your post ! Lets get more readers 😀
Well said, Dhiren!! Going Green has to become a habit with each one us. And small changes in our day to day life can bring about a big change. Thanks a lot Dhiren, appreciate the gesture 🙂
This world be a better greener place…if we stop destroying jungles and start planting a tree per person a year
“Each one plants one” will be a BIG step towards making our planet Green! 🙂
Lots of great information here, Shilpa. Bookmarking for passing on.
Thanks a lot, Corinne, appreciate it! 🙂
Very relevant for today’s world! Thanks so much for sharing these tips, Shilpa!
Thanks Roshni! 🙂
Very informative post. I could never understand why the old glass milk bottles got replaced by plastic – it’s the same in NZ. All this drive about go green and the one thing “green” that we had all along gets replaced.
Yes, even we see a change in milk packaging here. I read that we should say NO to take-away containers too. It was suggested that we should carry our own containers from home when getting food from a restaurant.
very thoughtful post Shilpa! and lot of useful tips…
Glad you liked it LP 🙂
how true; no action is too smaall indeed! btw – both my E & G post were about to be the same topic; but changed them at the last minute 😀
I loved your today’s post, Priya! Simply hilarious! 🙂
Shilpa, I think we all need a bit of introspection from time to time. Great theme and so relevant.
Oh yes! That’s the need of the hour! 🙂
An honest post very relevant to the times we are living in 🙂
Thanks Sri 🙂
very informative post Shilpa 🙂
Thank you Raj 🙂
Wonder how much of lead and mercury seeps into us each day?
With technology ruling our lives now-a-days, wonder how the gadgets and their batteries are disposed. Though telecom companies urge the customers to deposit their old mobiles etc with them so that they can help dispose them the green-way! It is said that if these are not disposed off properly the lead, mercury, arsenic from these batteries could be released in air or underground water which could have serious toxic effects on our health!
I use paper bags or cloth bags . Take them to market
Just yesterday I was thinking how much plastic is piling up 🙁 In malls u cannot avoid taking them
Plastic is not perishable ! Don’t know why usage of brown bag or paper is not seriously implemented
Few other things I follow
Shutting down lap top / desk top!
After putting eatables out from the fridge I let them warm up so that less time is needed to heat 🙂
Thanks for this post and great tips
That’s the way to go, Afshan. Incidentally, plastic bags are banned in Jaipur and on all hill stations. So we carry cloth bags everywhere. In fact Reliance Fresh and Easy Day, which is a Bharti-Walmart venture has stopped giving paper bags to carry back the groceries. And at Westside, you have buy the paper bag. Though Lifestyle continues to pack our goodies in outrageously big bags!
yes, shutting down rather than keeping them on standby mode and even for microwaves, TV… switching off the main plug is the best practice.
Even I take out stuff from the fridge earlier. Thanks for sharing your tips, Afshan 🙂
We have recently started recycling. It felt like a HUGE job before but since the rhythm has set in, it has become very rewarding. Our wastage of food has also gone down a lot.
That’s a great beginning! Keep up the good work, Pallavi 🙂
Very wise thoughts Shilpa and thanks for bringing them to forefront! Hope the equilibrium will be maintained by these “Green’ measures!
Yes, maintaining that equilibrium is the task at hand for each one of us! Thank you, Mr Bhatia 🙂
Go Green shud be the mantra of time otherwise there wont be any greens left for us in future.
I see even highly educated people so careless about this. Green should be made mandatory. Great choice of subject!
http://ektakhetan.blogspot.in
Guess, a lot of education still needs to be done on this!! 😐
A wonderful post! The ideals of the Three Rs, combined with respect for our dwindling resources is what we need to imbibe. The need of the hour!
Thanks for adding a new dimension to the discussion, Usha. Respecting our resources and utilizing them optimally is so very badly needed in today’s times!
Sharing this. It is info that all need to be aware of.
Thank you so much Shail, truly appreciate the gesture 🙂
Excellent green tips. But I wonder how we can meditate, read in public transport. I mean, I might consider myself lucky if I manage to get out in the right station!! 🙂 Of course, traveling in public transport in off-peak hours is a good idea. I guess using two wheelers (that give a decent mileage) or electric cars might also be a good idea. What happened to renewable energy? No mention of it??
Destination Infinity
Aha1 You can meditate and read while travelling! Reading while travelling though is not good for eyes but I read the fastest and meditate the bestest when traveling! 😀
Electric cars are a good option too. These ten suggestions mentioned here are not even the tip of the iceberg, Rajesh! There are a million things that we need to do save our planet. Since you are working on renewable energy project, would love to read your post on the same. I guess, you have already done that on your blog! 🙂
I actually have a T-shirt with that caption :). I agree with you and do a lot of green things in my own house including reducing waste. Nice post!
That’s the way it should be in all our homes! Thanks Rachna 🙂
Shilpa, Your post today is imparting a very important message. I hope more and more people pay heed to it. After all, we only have one earth.
Taking care before it is too late should be the motto for all of us! 🙂
A very thoughtful and environment centric post. Loved your list and would apply in my life to. I always try to play my miniscule part in keeping the environment clean, green, and safe.
1. i utilize the other side of the paper too when i need to take a print.
2. i carry my own bag. i try not to use those polythene bags esp. when i am buying something from the grocery shop/ vegetable market.
3. switch off the light, fan etc when not required.
few other things are also there which right now is not there in my mind.
That’s awesome, Preeti! You are making a difference! Way to go, girl! 🙂
Thank you for this post Shilpa. SO needed and so relevant.
I use cloth bags and carry them when I go grocery shopping. We use the non drinkable water that comes out of the Aqua guard and put it in our washing machine or to water our plants.
Wow! You are using the non-drinkable water too! This is an idea now! Thanks for sharing, Ruchira 🙂
Where I live in Mexico, recycling is not a thing people do down here. Only recently have I seen major food markets put up recycle bins for plastic and paper. And people don’t care that their cars release CO2 into the atmosphere which explains why we have so much pollution.
Oh! A lot of awareness needs to be created at your place, Clarissa. Glad that there’s a beginning though! 🙂
I use cloth bags for buying groceries/vegetables etc. I power down my laptop each night and switch off the power button of television and not just by using the remote. I walk to places close by instead of using a two wheeler.
As always such a wonderful post Shilpa 🙂 so very relevant..
You are doing your bit towards the Go Green mission, Vinita! Simply awesome! Walking short distances has twin benefits… health and saving the fuel and thereby resources! Glad you liked this post! 🙂
My husband is a crusader fir the Green. He specializes in Effluent and Waste water treatment, It is job to clean all the dirty water , recycle it and turn it into good potable water which is used to for watering the garden, cleaning cars etc., and the toilet. He has been saving so much water for Bangalore, both for the industries , big / small apartment complexes etc.
He says the amount of water wasted everywhere , that soon a time will come when there will be not water left. He hates any kind of wastage. However, one man cannot save the world, each of us must be aware of the situation and act responsibility to save our environment.
Waiting for the next letter.
Aha! That’s simply a noble profession. Admirable work your hubby is doing, Rama! True, one man can’t do it alone, it has to be a collective action! Thanks for sharing on the topic 🙂
This post is so relevant in our times. There has been more than enough said about it, but I guess it is never enough in a place like India.
I try to do my bit, but unless each individual takes this as his/her responsibility and give up the ‘chalta-hai’ attitude, not much is going to change.
True, the chalta hai attitude is rampant everywhere! And once that goes and awakening happens, then only things would turn around but till then each one of us should do our bit at our homes and surroundings. 🙂
Very informative post. Most points that you mentioned, I didn’t even know about them. 🙁
Happy to enlighten, Shilpa 🙂
A very good post, full of useful information, thanks for sharing !!
Thank you Angela 🙂
And using public transport or car pool will reduce the no.of cars on the road. Very informative post Shilpa. I always carry a jute or paper bag in my bag, so that when I shop for groceries, I don’t have to take their plastic covers. These posts got me reminded of my ABC challenge which I took so long to complete!
Car pools is a wonderful idea, I hope it gains more acceptance. We have so many people working in the same company and staying in the same apartment complex, still everybody goes to the same office in their own cars. It is a criminal waste of fuel.
I remember your ABC Challenge, which was simply fab. This A to Z challenege is a time bound activity… blogging from A to Z in April. 🙂
Simple yet great tips. Good one Shilpa.
Thanks Janaki 🙂
“G”reat post. Just what we ought to focus on. What many schools (and informal kiddie sessions) do is to educate children as young as 3 or 4 to start using stainless steel tumblers, have 2 lunchboxes instead of 1 dozen, not waste water, ask mumma to carry a cloth bag etc. It helps. And hopefully our great-grandkids will have a planet to live on 🙂
Yes, hopefully and fingers crossed. “G”racias, Meera 🙂
Very practical tips. Thanks
Thks Nana 🙂
Go green!! yay!! I recycle everything and anything called paper or plastic and that’s not in use. We have to take it to a special recycle bin the Apartment Complex, but I don’t mind taking the extra pain once a week. I keep a separate bin the balcony for it. The rest of them, I don’t 🙁 Have to follow at least one or two..
That’s so wonderful, Latha! These small steps are making a big difference! Way to go, lady 🙂
The point about disposable razors was new to me…Good set of points there and a lovely choice for ‘G’
Happy to enlighten 😛
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