Green. Green. Green. Everywhere you turn, someone is telling you how to green you car, your home, your job, your office, your commute — or suggesting that you should start a green business. It is enough to give a person green fatigue on this, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.
But despite all the green talk, the harmful effects of global warming and climate change are real.The environment needs your help and every little bit that helps. (Certainly, there are naysayers who disagree with the idea that global warming even exists, but I’m not one of them.)
The government has made an $80 billion investment in clean energy and initiatives promoting energy-efficiency that will hopefully pull the economy out of its recession and get Americans working again.
I must say, that I’m pretty stoked to be living in a city where I don’t have to drive to get from point A to point B and where lawmakers are very environmentally aware and are seeking to do their part to extend resources, create green jobs and cut waste.
Here’s how I do my part to help save the earth’s resources: I obsessively recycle, I bring my own bags when I shop, I turn off lights, I donate my old clothes and bags, I use my local libraries, I take public transit and walk as often as possible, I finally stopped subscribing to lots of magazines and read them either online or on my Kindle, I don’t print out unnecessary emails, I use CFL lightbulbs.
Here’s what I don’t do: I don’t volunteer enough and do enough outdoor activities, and I can’t stop my husband from driving to work each day. I have friends who are likely more green than I am, and I am learning from them. But as I said, every little bit helps — and my small somethings are a lot better than nothing at all. All in all, on the green scale, I’m more chartreuse than forest green.
Simply put, Earth Day is about real people taking responsibility for their communities and the environment. What are you going to do to honor the 40th anniversary of Earth Day? Volunteer with an event in your community of perhaps, participate in the EPA’s Take 5 program and commit to five changes to help make the planet a better place.
Here are some easy tips for going green, it isn’t that hard to incorporate some of these activities into your lifestyle. As for me, my project is swapping my husband’s car keys for subway fare at least two days a week. Hey, it’s a start. (In honor of Earth Day, BlackEnterprise.com is giving away five signed copies of “Kennedy Green House” by Robin Wilson. Click here for details.)
Going Green at Home
Learn more about reducing waste, recycling, and removing dangerous toxins from your home and garden. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have great tips for greening your lifestyle.
- Protect the Environment at Home and in the Garden
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Recycle and Reuse Your Electronics
- Residential Water Conservation Techniques
- Reduce Your Energy Use at Home
- Tips to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
- Calculate Your Home Energy Use
- Conduct Your Own Home Energy Audit
Going Green in the Workplace
Toolkits for greening your workplace or business.
- Protect the Environment at Work: Tips for preventing pollution at the workplace, and raising awareness of health and safety issues.
- Energy Efficiency at Work: Resources and tips for improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings, farms and ranches, religious institutions and small businesses.
- Green Business Guide: Tips and tools for businesses looking to go green.
Going Green in Your Community
- Protect the Environment: Learn how you can protect the air, water, and environment in your community.
- Learn About Your Environment: Type in your hometown or zip code into EPA’s My Environment tool to learn more about the water quality, air quality and other pollutants in your area.
Going Green on the Road
The EPA has great resources on green travel and DOE offers tips for more energy and fuel efficient vehicles.
Go Green at the Store
- Check out EPA’s tips for buying environmentally friendly products.
Going Green at School
Going Green in the Outside
- Recreation.gov offers a one stop shop to book reservations on all Federal recreation lands
- April 17-25 is National Park week. All 392 National Parks are fee free all week and will host a variety of special events and service opportunities. Check out www.NPS.gov to learn more
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has over 400 fish and wildlife refuges across the country, many offering great opportunities to get outside and active this Earth Day.
- The Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands, which encompass 193 million acres. Visit their website to learn more about enjoying our National Forest lands.
Click here for more BEing Green articles on African Americans, energy and the environment.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, BlackEnterprise.com is giving away five autographed copies of “Kennedy Green House” by Robin Wilson.
In 25-words or less, tell us how you will do your part to help the environment on this Earth Day. Be creative in your response. The editors will choose the best five answers received by 8pm EST today, and notify the winners by 5 p.m. EST Friday, April 23. Email your response to giveaway@blackenterprise.com.
Deborah Creighton Skinner is the editorial director at BlackEnterprise.com.