David Rothkopf, energy expert and visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment, quoted in Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman.

If Going Green is so important, we should take seriously every opportunity to do it better and faster.  Read on for some how-to’s of Going Green in an effective way and what to remember when changing your habits.

Going Green is a significant modern trend that the world has begun to jump full-swing into.   Writing as an American, I’m glad that my country has finally begun to take on this task of change with a bit of momentum.  However, as the movement becomes mainstream, it risks becoming trendy, without any real change.  We risk wearing the label of Green fashion, feeling good about our actions, but staying on the road to environmental disaster.

I’m hopeful, though, that within the current economic crises and other types of disruption, businesses will reinvent themselves for higher competitive ability, governments will re-establish standards of accountability, and individuals will reevaluate their lives, all with a new focus on going truly green.

So, how do we avoid just “greenwashing”, to pursue a real green change for the better?

Here are 3 steps and 3 things to keep in mind as you decide to take going green action:

1) Learn
Take time to educate yourself.  You’re here doing that now, so you’re definitely on the right track.  Keep doing more.  Learn a lot now, and your brain will give you ideas later on what to do with that knowledge.  Don’t stop at just one site.  Read through at least several websites on your quest to go green.  Download an Ebook, or buy a book from the store.  Learn from friends or coworkers you know like to talk about the environment.  They’ll be flattered you have questions for them.  Don’t just stop with what I say or someone else says.  Look for facts, search Wikipedia for the truths about Global Warming, Climate Change, and Green Policies.  If you’re up for reading an exceptional book, check out Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman (quoted above).  His books are always golden in content and this book contains crucial knowledge for proceeding towards a Green 21st Century.

2) Take Action
Act now.  Think of a couple ways you can change your habits today, and do them.  Lots of these things can be done at low cost and save money, not only the environment.  Here’s a quick list:

• Green your home with green energy use, sealing air leaks, buying a green switch, installing solar or wind power, etc.
• Spend green: purchase products that benefit the environment, reduce waste, or are made by companies that are going green.
• Work green: when switching jobs, look for a company that is going green; at your current job, think of ways to help your workplace help the environment.

3) Magnify Your Action
Just going green in our own lives is, unfortunately, not enough to make a significant change in the world.  Magnify the action in your own life by sharing with others.  Share with friends what you know and are trying to do to make the world a greener world.  Make new friends that share the same views and can help you find ways of going green that make a difference.  If you’re the entrepreneurial type, consider the ultimate magnification and start a new business dedicated to going green.

Keep in mind…

1)  that some experts predict that if we don’t start significant change by 2012, it will be too late to avoid environmental disaster; others say that unless we completely change global energy usage, the earth will reach a dangerous turning point of carbon concentration by 2050.  Basically, just turning our lights off when they’re not in use and recycling are nowhere near enough to do anything significant in saving the planet.

2)  to do what you can, even if it isn’t enough by itself.  Don’t freeze because of number 1.  We can make a significant difference.  And every difference we make, and tell 10 people about has a real impact.  Do what you can, and look for ways to do more.

3) to mistakes in the right direction.  We as a people on this planet will not go green perfectly.  We’ve already made enormous mistakes.  The worst thing to do is nothing.  Be willing to make mistakes in going green and make them big, so that we can all learn from them and do it better the next time around.

Make a difference by taking action today, continue learning, and magnify your action.  You can benefit your own life and the lives of those to live on our earth in the future.

Thanks for reading about the importance of going green: why and how to go green today!

For more great ways of going green and saving money in the process, check out Earth 4 Energy!

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There are many signs pointing to the rapid disruption of our environment because of climate change.  While the global temperature over the whole earth has “only” risen about .75 degrees Celsius and 1.35 degrees Fahrenheit ¹, in specific areas, the results of climate change are much more profound.
For example, Montana, USA:  From 1979 to 2006, the Flathead River flowing out of Glacier National Park has increased from about 11°C/ 52°F to 16°C/ 61°F.  This is because the glaciers are melting earlier in the season.  This causes massive amounts of fish to die, closing the rivers to fishing.  Also, the warmer temperatures have allowed many insects to survive, which are leaving thousands of dead and dying trees in the region.  Throughout the Rocky Mountains, dead trees are intermingled with the once living trees.  With one strike of lightning, this can cause thousands of acres to disappear in wildfires².   On a recent drive into the Colorado mountains, I could see this effect.  It looked like about half of the trees were now brown and yellowish.

We contributed to these effects.  We can change them.

How can we act today?

Go Green by doing three things…

Green Policies- Support politicians who want to regulate carbon emissions and change policy to favor green technologies.  This is the most effective way we as individuals can help to bring the massive change that is needed.  As a general rule, I don’t believe in litmus tests (voting based on a single issue), but if there ever was a modern litmus test I would use, it would be a candidate’s understanding of and action on global climate and energy policies.

Green Companies and Products-  Support companies that are taking steps to go green: becoming carbon neutral, adopting green technologies, and changing habits to conserve the environment.  (Visit the U.S. EPA’s website to see a list of companies that are going green by being 100% carbon neutral or better.

Green Ourselves- Take steps to going green:
・Recycle of course
・Buy Green Gifts during the holiday season and beyond
・Conserve energy by driving smart
・And take serious steps to make your energy use 100% Green

It’s never been easier to go green with our energy use.  Check out this E-book, instantly downloadable, with free bonuses, that can show you how to cheaply adapt wind and/or solar power, even making money by selling back to Power Utilities.

© Hatano Online for Going Green, 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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