Today on the show we will be discussing what it means to ‘Be Green’, ways you can empower your human experience to be more Eco-Conscious.
We will discuss how adopting a lifestyle that serves the planet and its resources helps to empower your mental, physical and spiritual well being.
This is about changing our priorities
Being courageous
Being open, willing and focused
What does it mean to be more green? And why would you want to dedicate time and energy toward such activities?
More and more you will hear of this intention on the news, and in your local communities.
Why? An inconvenient truth - even if the figures are not true, which in researching them myself, have found them to be frightfully true. I think restoring our environment to a state that has the less amount of human impact possible is not only polite but noble.
Take for instance you are invited over to a friend’s home and you spend the night, use their shower, bathroom, kitchen and living areas. Most of us have been raised to know we clean up after ourselves. Why would we act any different when it comes to our planet?
I think the answer to date has been that we have been thinking we are doing the best we can given our choices.
Well today we will discuss more choices you have and how you can learn what best suits your needs and lifestyle.
Well being exists not only with our bodies but more so it is a state of mind that empowers our every action, thought and desire. When we know we have done the right thing, we feel lighter. That is less stress feels like.
Sometimes it takes time to learn new ways of being, of undoing old habits, old thought patterns old belief systems that open us up to adopting the new.
At the end of the program I will provide the names of an organization that has a twelve month program to ease your life to one of green living.
So what is green living?
Some people talk about reducing their carbon footprint. Which means looking at areas of our lives where we create waste and pollution, which affects the Earth in negative ways. Some of the things we do or choose may not have a direct affect but contribute to the overall abuse of the planet indirectly - which has led to our environmental unconsciousness
If there will be a area of focus this generation and the next generations to come will embody - it is that of environmental concern and care.
The 60’s started it but are primarily noted as being anti-war.
Today’s push is towards undoing what we have contributed to as far as environmental harm - no blame needed here - we as humans have contributed to it whether or not we knew it by not concerning ourselves with what the end result of our actions are.
I know I am guilty of it. I recycle - yes - but what happens to the trash once it is picked up? I never really cared until I heard reports of certain waste companies combining the normal trash pickup with the recycled trash and only giving the impreSSION THAT THEY WERE DOING GOOD.
When we stay connected - we stay conscious - we are accountable and rest easier.
Some of my friends get anxious and angry in learning of such activities or even more appalling atrocities - but I suggest we come from a place that is not blaming but instead use our actions, thoughts, choices to shed light on a situation and allow new choices to be made. We are all learning. Spirits having a human experience.
So what can you do?
Go to smartenergyliving.org
to research ways to make your home more energy efficient.
air leakage, appliances, insulation,
Electricity - choose a company that supports green energy. Know that it is not 100% there is not yet a such thing as 100% green energy when it comes to electricity. But there are companies that commit to using all the green they can first. It is like hybrid electricity.
Across the country, utility companies and electricity suppliers are answering the consumer’s call for clean energy. Wind generated electricity production jumped 31% last year, making it the most rapidly growing branch of the power industry.
House cleaning & maintenance -
insulate
new ac units 13 seer - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
There is a new federal standard of 13 SEER for air conditioners manufactured as of January 2006. A 15 SEER unit qualifies for a $300 federal tax credit.
You can also look for the Energy Star rating on a unit which is 20% more efficient than standard models.
Air Ducts
A Fort Collins study of 38 new homes found that the ducts leaked, on average, 12 times more than what is considered acceptable for a good duct work system.
Gardening
find a gardener that does not use pesticides, or harmful chemicals.
Going green with yard care is no longer just a moral imperative—it is an aesthetic and intelligent way to ensure that your yard sustains a healthy, natural, and long-lasting relationship with surrounding ecosystems.
using a mulching lawnmower aka grass recycling
composting
mulchers
electric mowers or even push mowers - you get your exercise too.
rain catchers
www.composters.com
http://greenlivingideas.com/lawn-and-yard-care/organic-lawn-care-for-every-green-yard.html
Food choices
more raw the better - less stress on the ecosystem and on your body
takes less power to prepare, less overhead for
Clothing Choices
vintage clothes - new term for hand me downs but these have been refurbished and are top quality
shoes - I do not use unless they have not been worn - reason - energy of the person - you can absorb through the shoes easily.
Also known as one-of-a-kind clothing
Transportation choices
hybrid cars, those with high gas mileage,
walk, endorse sidewalks, bike, car pool
live close to where you work and shop
public transportation,
here today on 740 ktrh the question of the day is at what price do gas prices need to have you consider public transportation as a means of getting around?
My question to you is how can you arrange your life to lessen your carbon footprint regardless of the economical impact?
That is exactly what has gotten us into the mess we are in today with the environment - economics.
Let’s stop looking at our pocket books - which I know is a hard change to make - and start looking at our hearts. Truth is - when we live cleaner - we are cleaner all the way around - mind,body, spirit.
Local markets
Local farmers & manufacturers - why - less transportation costs, less overhead for the business owners, community sustainable
Cleaning out my house of items
What to do with the?
donation, resell, craigslist
send out emails to friends and family
performance theater in your area
schools
professional green organizer - help get things in order for you and set you up to be more green
JUNK MAIL pileup - go to CampaignEarth.org and click on take the challenge
cleaning products types - organic oil based cleansers that do not harm the environment
Birthdays
Paper makes up about 35 percent and plastics 11.3 percent of all municipal waste (before recycling); using less from the start is the easiest way to reduce trash.
activities that sustain the Earth and the community
Wrapping,boxes, gifts that are mindful of the environment
beach cleanup party - beach theme with a purpose - call your local county offices to learn of available clean up projects in your area
visit to a local fire station and bring gifts of donations to the homeless or less fortunate souls who have lost their homes to fire
visit an animal shelter where the kids can learn facts about how many animals are available for adoption - be prepared to go home with one or two pets - have guests bring leashes, bowls and other supplies that the shelter would need
old folks home visits bringing them home made goodies
clean up a park, plant trees, plant a garden at school or church
donate money to a community or alliance that helps replenish our planet
adopt a child, a cheetah or panda bear.
Alliances
Alliance for a New Humanity - anhglobal.org
Our mission is to connect people, who, through personal and social transformation, aim to build a just, peaceful, and sustainable world, reflecting the unity of all humanity.
CONNECT
We are people from all regions of the world and all walks of life who are joined by a common vision; to strengthen and sustain an actively compassionate humanity. Our movement is open to anyone who believes that creating a better world is possible – a world where all beings are valued equally, where the Earth is revered and protected and where the awesome potential of humanity can unite to bring about true peace and harmony.
We can solve it www.wecansolveit.org
In addition to making our voices heard, we can each make climate-friendly choices in our personal lives, whether by buying energy efficient appliances, switching to electricity generated by renewable energy, or taking public transportation. By taking these actions and by talking to our friends about the climate crisis, we are not only reducing our personal contribution to global warming, we’re building support for additional progress at the local, state, national, and international level.
Campaign Earth www.campaignearth.org
take the challenge - test your knowledge of green living
12 month program
Thank you for being here with me on the show today.
Join me again next week when we continue our discussion on Going Green in the month of May
when we talk about Urban Organic Farming - how to create and maintain an organic garden in an urban setting.
Remember - Time is your most valuable commodity. Choose wisely and go for what brings passion to your life. The happier you are the healthier you are and so are the people around you.
Till next week - This has been Holistic Living with Tina Marie
God Bless you all