10 Easy Ways to be Good and Green
While being green is the new thing (along with vegan) and all the hype from politicans over global warming, the environment is a pretty big deal. While theories range from global warming doesn't exist to "the day after tomorrow" epic proportions, the truth is, the environment is suffering and there is a lot of things we can do about it. While you hear a lot about insulting your home or buying a hybrid car, there's a lot of inexpensive ways to help, and you don't have to spend a saturday volunteering at cleanup (although that'd be an awesome help too!).

1. Use canvas.
Sure, no one uses paper anymore, but plastic bags are everywhere. and while they're great for lining small garbage cans and cleaning the literbox, how much just piles up or gets tossed? some places you can drop off your excess bags to be recycled, but what if you had bags that could skip the recycling and go straight to reused? the canvas bag has become quite popular for shopping. if you keep it in your car or somewhere you can easily use it, you can just put your stuff in it and bring it back and forth while shopping (if you're just buying small thing or two, skip a bag entirely). PLUS you can use it for library books or say, the beach? and if the fact you're recycling doesn't make a big enough statement, jus how customizable are canvas tote bags? you can buy hand-made unique bags, or a ready-to-make bag in a craft section and design it yourself. so the cost varies from a dollar or two to however much you want it to be, but it makes a unique statement and really helps the environment.

2. Take the Stairs.
 This is the cheapest way to save the environment. First of all, taking the stairs in general is healthier for you (fight global warming AND obesity!). I don't plan in time for exercise myself, and try to work it in to my schedule as it is, and this is one of the best ways. In my experience, it's even a little faster too. And then of course, you're saving energy- one flight of stairs saves about 36 kilowatts of energy.

3. Unplug.
 Electronics, even when turned off, are still absorbing energy if they're plugged in. Wasted energy. So it takes you all of an extra second of your life to unplug it? Well, first of all, the energy being wasted is energy you're still paying for. And the energy is harming the environment. So unplug your chargers when not being used, and if you do laundry once a week, unplug the machine the rest of the time. It's easier than the stairs and saves you money.

4. Buy a laptop.
 This is one of my favorite arguements for buying a laptop instead of a desktop. In addition to being smaller and you can bring it everywhere, laptops use roughly have the energy desktops do. Again, this saves you money on your electric bill AND helps the environment. Also, why leave your computer on all night if you're not doing something with it? Just turn it off, it saves energy.

5. Change 2 degrees.
 Would you notice a 2 degree temperature change? If you lower the heater juat 2 degrees in the winter and higher the ac just 2 degrees in the summer, you'll save a ton of energy/emmissions. So will you really really notice a couple degrees, as long as it's still warmer/cooler inside than outside?

6. Grow plants.
 One of the things I feel like I've known my entire life is that plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. They clean the air AND provide us with one of the most essential things to, I don't know, living? So buy a little potted plant and decorate your room/office/house. Planting a tree is even better (make it a fruit tree and you've got a real deal).. planting near the house helps shade it makes cooling it easier. Or start a new hobby and grow a garden from seeds. Take the garden idea a bit further though, and find plants native to your climate/area and consider making a "runoff garden." And hey, if you're on a roll, consider a compost pile good and inexpensive fertilizer that also helps the environment.

7. Change a lightbulb.
 You've probably heard this one everywhere. And why not? Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFC or CFL bulbs, the spiral ones) are a little bit more expensive, but they also last longer. Plus they use a lot less energy. Using even just one can make a huge difference over time. And by the way, while you're at it, turn off the light when you don't need it.

8. Conserve water.
 Water is valuable. Taking a shower instead of a bath saves a lot of water, and taking shorter showers saves more still (and time too!). Shut the water off while you're soaping up and turn it on again to rinse, you don't need it running the entire time. Same goes for brushing your teeth. Not only are you saving water, you're saving the energy it takes to get that water! Plus, doing laundry at night or watering the lawn in the early morning saves more energy than other times of the day.

9. 3 Rs- Reduce, Recycle, & Reuse.
 Don't use as many disposable products, instead fill up a coffee mug or clean spills with a towel. You can wash them, rather than tossing the others and filling up landfills (not to mention using up resources). Recycle your recyclables. But not only recycle, REUSE. Buy products made of other recylced products. Buy used stuff. Buy rechargable batteries. And don't liter!

10. Carpool.
If you carpool, not only are you saving gas costs for everyone and making finding a parking spot easier, you're emitting less pollution. Plus, it's more fun to drive with other people. Consider buses and whatnot too- even if it costs a dollar or two, compare the cost of the rides to the cost of gas for the same trip. Or if wherever you're going is close enough and you can, walk or ride a bike! Saves gas, decreases pollution and is healthy exercise.

There you go. 10 easy and inexpensive ways to help the environment that you can do without any dramatic changes to your lifestyle. And if the changes are noticable, most of them are good. You save the environment, and in msot cases, help yourself out a little too. Doing your part is win-win all around, it just requires a little bit of extra thought. If this is easy enough, try searching online for more easy ways to do it- every little bit helps!