If I had seen an article titled 'Being Green' a number of years ago, what would have likely come to my mind would have been Kermit the Frog singing "It's Not Easy Being Green". Although that obviously still comes to my mind, it now fights for top place with the green movement.
Kermit calls green the color of spring, and indeed the green renewal of spring is what the green movement is all about… living and doing business sustainably for continued renewal.
The environmental movement is not new, this week celebrates the 39th Earth Day. Many feel the movement really started in 1962 with Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. It is interesting that in 1957 a geologist working for Shell Oil predicted that the early 2000's would be a critical time for depleting fossil fuel reserves.
With public awareness at an all-time high, some people feel the green movement will equal or eclipse other monumental changes in social and industrial history. It seems to be a movement whose time has come, combining resource efficiency and conservation with social responsibility.
Last week I spent a couple days in the National Association of Realtors 'green' class. Here are some low-cost green choices they recommended that are easy for all of us to do to make a difference. My guess is you are already doing many of them…and Reuben has already addressed some of them in his posts…
- Use CFL or LED lightbulbs
- Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
- Start a compost pile
- Plant trees
- Insulate hot water heater
- Weatherstrip and caulk doors and windows
- Collect rainwater to water plants
- Paint with low- or no-VOC paint
- Replace filters
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Plant a rain garden
- Plant native plants
- Place appliances or office equipment on powerstrips to reduce "phantom" load
- Install water-efficient restroom fixtures
- Take advantage of daylighting
- Use recycling bins
Some green information sites, in no particular order…
- The Daily Green
- Green Your
- Going Green
- Earth Day Network
- Minneappleseed Project
- Energy Star
- US Green Building Council
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – Email – HomesMSP.com
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