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Seniors "Go Green"

Are You Green?

Tell us what you are doing to go green.

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Go Green. No doubt, you've heard this phrase used a lot lately. Media coverage of what individuals, kids, schools, companies and clubs are doing to help save our world seems to be exploding.

Nearby, perhaps you've noticed people entering stores with canvas shopping bags. (Maybe you already have some of your own.) In the grocery store, you find there are more products promoted as green. In your circle of friends, certainly the price of gas, if not the environment, may increase the interest in carpooling.

In fact, our own Kellogg Company, who has a history of socially responsible efforts in this area, continues to step up their innovation in searching for ways to be even better environmental stewards.

Go Green, or just Green, is a term used to describe environmentalism, a movement centered on conserving and improving the natural environment.

As members of an older generation, many of you already embrace the ideas of conserving, not wasting our resources and living within your means by avoiding the excess of consumerism so prevalent in the United States in recent years. Yet today, many believe the time has come for everyone to be involved.

Get More Involved

If you are looking for a worthwhile cause, feel you now have the time to get involved, or if you simply want to learn more, the following websites have lots to offer:

Green Seniors - for people, of any age, who care about the natural environment and have the time to do something to try and fix the problems that we have created.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts.

Tree Hugger - a place where you can discover how to maintain or improve your quality of life while reducing your harmful impact on the earth.

What's the Problem?
If you simply look at our homes today, with televisions in almost every room and the general increase in usage of all our favorite electrical gadgets, there's been a definite increase in the amount of energy we consume.

That energy comes from the natural resources in the environment, and many ecologists and environmentalists think we are dangerously close to using up all our natural resources. Increased energy usages leads to increased emissions - a key contributor to global warming.

Many environmentalists also believe the public's inability to commit to reusing and recycling products is another threat to environment.

What Can You Do Around the House?
To Save Energy

Turn off electronic devices (computers, DVD players, VCRs, stereos, etc.) when they are not in use.
Consider replacing 10+ year-old appliances with energy-efficient models that bear their "Energy Star" logo. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these models use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models.
Use energy efficient light sources. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) use 66% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer.
Turn down the thermostat in cold weather and keep it higher in warm weather. Each degree below 68°F (20°C) during colder weather saves 3%-5% more heating energy, while keeping your thermostat at 78°F in warmer weather will save you energy and money. Or try using ceiling fans instead of air conditioners, when you can.

To Save Water

Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1,000 gallons a month.
Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.
Visit Water - Use It Wisely for more tips.

To Save Other Natural Resources

Save trees by using less paper or "tree-free" 100% post-consumer recycled paper, for everything form greeting card to toilet paper.
Reduce plastic bag usage by carrying your own cloth bags to the store to avoid using plastic bags.
Recycle and reuse plastic grocery, trash or sandwich bags.

(Tips compiled from aarp.org & realestate.msn.com)

These are just some of the possible suggestions for being part of our world's energy solution.