Best Ways to Go Green and Lower Your Carbon Footprint

While it may be considered "hip" right now to go green, reducing your carbon footprint will not only make you more fashionable it will help save our planet. While not everyone can afford to buy a hybrid car or walk to work, there are little things that every single person or household can do to contribute to a global effort to preserve the nature of our planet so that in 100 years it might still be a great place. One place to start is to measure your carbon footprint. Answer truthfully and you will see what an impact small things like how many times a year you fly or how many showers a week you take can have an effect on our climate.

Measure your carbon footprint

1. Unplug your appliances when you are not using them

A lot of people do not realize that electronics still draw electricity if they are plugged in but turned off. It takes two seconds to unplug an appliance and it can make a difference

2. Buy a Brita filter or a reusable water bottle instead of using bottled water

This is a little change that has a huge impact. In the past 15 years one use water bottle usage has extremely increased. Buying a filter and filling up a reusable water bottle instead of using plastic water bottles that you throw away after each use will make a big difference. It is also cheaper and may be better for your health.

3. Borrow from libraries or go to your local bookstore to read your favorite magazine or book

The introduction of online newspapers and online books may be a bad thing for people who love to buy and collect books or hold a paper in their hand while eating breakfast, but it saves on cutting down trees, and its cheaper!

4. Cut meat out of one meal per week

Taking meat out of one meal per week in your diet will help reduce your carbon footprint, and who would object to pizza!

5. Have plants in your home or grow a garden outside

While you may have to learn how to upkeep a garden, and it will cost a little, growing your own fruits and vegetables will save money you would spend in the grocery store. Having plants inside your house are little maintenance and they help create new oxygen in your home.