Ten Easy Ways to Go Green this Year

Although going green can seem daunting, using this list of ten easy ways to go green this year can start you off on the right foot. Small consistent changes will make a huge difference over time and if everyone does something then the effect is multiplied.

Choose one thing to do and work on it until it becomes a habit. Then choose another and do the same thing until you have ten new, good, green habits. Once you are at that level come up with ten more things that you can do to be more environmentally conscious. These habits will build on each other until you find that you have a much smaller carbon footprint than you used to.

It is easy to get depressed and overwhelmed by all of the news about global warming, pollution, and other things. You may feel that no matter what you do it won't be enough. This is not true. As each person does a little things change. Like George Bailey, in It's a Wonderful Life, each person's life has an effect on many other lives.

When others see the things you do they may be inspired to take the environment more seriously as well. The first thing you can do to be more green is to realize that one person can make a difference.

Electronics have a huge impact on the environment but there are ways to counter or lessen the effects.

• Keep your thermostat as cool as you can comfortably stand it in the winter and as warm as you can comfortably stand it in the summer. This will not only benefit the environment but you will find that your kids play outside more in the summertime!
• Unplug your T.V. and other appliances when you are not using them. Televisions and other electronics use electricity even when they are not turned on. By keeping them unplugged you can save money and energy. This includes phone chargers.
• Turn the lights off when you are not using them. Use lamps rather than overhead lighting when possible.
• Use CFL light bulbs. They come in many watt sizes and even several colors of light. You will save quite a lot of energy by using them.

• Shop locally when you can. Locally produced foods and other consumer goods mean that there are not a lot of fossil fuels being used to transport the items thousands of miles. Fresh food tastes better and is healthier for you anyway.
• Use reuseable shopping bags. This cuts down on all of the plastic that ends up in the landfill or the ocean. It means trees aren't cut down for the paper bags.
• Buy organic when possible. It costs more but it is healthier and it supports the health of the environment.

Not only is water being polluted but it is being wasted. Be aware of how much water you use and try to cut the amount. Water is a precious resource,

• A shower saves half the water of a bath, and even more if you use a low flow shower head. Keep your shower short and you will find that you are not only saving water but you are saving money on your water bill as well.
• Fix dripping faucets and running toilets as soon as possible. These things are often easy enough for the homeowner to fix himself. A dripping faucet can waste gallons of water every single day. That adds up financially as well as environmentally.

If you begin doing one of these and continue to add another habit throughout the year you will have made a change.  You will have impacted the earth in a positive way and created positive change.

One person can make a difference.  USe these ten tips to be more green this year and see where it takes you.