One way to protect the environment is to live greener.  “Living Green” is not as extreme as some people would have you believe.  Green living is simply living a life that is environmentally conscious. There are many things that we can do to help us live better lives helping our environment in the process. Without it, we will live in a world that will quickly deteriorate. For years now, greener living has helped reverse some of the things in which we have become susceptible.  It all starts with us and our wanting to live a better life. There are simple things we can do that will help us live a greener life. It just takes practice.

1)      Planting Flowers and Trees – Planting a garden benefits us in many ways.  It emits clean oxygen into the air, especially trees.  When planting a garden it is easy to use compost, which is all natural fertilizer, something that can be made with leftover foods.

2)      Turn Out the Lights – When not using the lights in a room, turn it off. Make thisa good habit.  The longer the lights stay on the more energy is expunged from reactor units.  The overload in circuitry causes emissions to release.

3)      Comfort – Heating and air are needs in respective seasons, but much like using electricity unnecessarily one can find ways to stay cool in the summer (drink more fluids) or stay warmer in the winter (wear longer sleeves).  Keep it down and you will see benefits almost immediately.

4)      Recycle – Perhaps the biggest one of bunch. Recycling is a forgotten key because it is so easy to throw away items.  Every home, even rentals, have a blue or green recycling container for plastics, rubber, batteries, and a slew of other items.  Be sure to recycle for the betterment of our environment.

5)      Use Less Water – Water runoff will find its way into the nearby water source.   The runoff can contain pesticides, insecticides, and many other chemicals.  This will contaminate the local water sources that feed us.

We must protect the environment. There is no denying it.  Our future depends on us. Living a greener life is a large step in the right direction, but we still must be able to take action on it. Even if half the houses on any given street practice green living, we will protect the environment beyond all measure.  It is worth it for us and our children.

Jennifer Ramin is a conservation writer; she works with NRDC and other organizations to protect our health and environment.