While most of us may not wear vegan shoes, heat our
 homes with corn, or drink through biodegradable
 straws, there's been quite a stench as of late about
 being green, and no I don't mean being naïve; I mean
 green as in being environmentally friendly.  You may
 say that's merely a soap box that the left is pushing 
toward or where the right could be unfocused.  However,
 whether global warming is or isn't an actuality isn't 
the priority here.  No matter what political side 
you're on or affiliations you accredit yourself to, 
being responsible is a trait all humans should pursue.
 In the end we do stand accountable, even if the end of
 the earth isn't imminent.  God gave us this earth to
 use, but to also be its caregivers.  It is a fine 
line and knowing that we and this earth have a finite
 existence, we should try to maintain the earth for our 
own well being and our future generations.  Instead of 
telling everyone to trade in their cars for sparkly 
green hybrids and live a carbon-free existence, I make 
a call for these more realistic things…

.

Instead of having wind turbines in your backyard, 
when your next light bulb burns out, buy a florescent 
one instead.  They may be a dollar more, but studies
 show they save more than $30 in electricity costs over
 the bulb's lifetime and save 2,000 times their own
 weight in greenhouse gases.  You don't have to roof 
your house with solar panels either, just remember to 
turn lights off when you're away.  While you've heard 
it a thousand times, we all forget. And, don't forget the 
rechargeable batteries either.



Instead of carpooling with an entire neighborhood,
 simply plan out errands in advance to keep from making
 trip after trip to the store.  Remember, you can shop 
locally for those new shoes and save half a tank while
 supporting your community in the process.  Instead of 
spending $25 grand on that tiny Prius, simply being 
responsible can conserve what's in your tank.  Some 
reports say exceeding the speed limit can waste around 
20% more gas than abiding by the law.



Think ordering everything online is the green way 
to shop?  Just because you don't drive, doesn't mean 
that delivery truck doesn't go out of the way for your
 convenience.  Most of the time that incredible deal 
isn't so great when you tack on the shipping charges 
anyway.  If you do want to do your part online, opt 
for paperless billing next month.  It's available from
 most companies and it means more convenient and faster 
services for you.



Instead of joining an animal rights organization to 
protest styrofoam cups, just limit buying drinks on
 the go.  Bring a cup from home to enjoy while you
 drive.  A 2-Liter contains around 3 1/2 regular 20 
ounce drinks - although water is always the best 
choice!  Also, take heed to what your elementary 
science teacher said and don't forget to turn off the
 faucet while you brush your teeth.



Instead of wasting $1,000’s to overhaul your house 
with the latest green gadgets, be sure to dispose of
 old equipment properly as the need arises.  Don't
 throw electronics in the trash, as they can contain
 toxins like lead, mercury, and cadmium.  Our city, 
like most, has periodic waste collection days.  If you
 have lead paint lying around, be sure to dig that out,
too.



You don't have to throw out the trash can.  Simply
 ask yourself if you can use an item in any other way 
before you pitch it.  You can use the back of that 
paper that messed up in the printer.  Our city offers 
an easy recycling program.  Thrift stores are also a 
great way to reuse.



Sources (Wikipedia.com, goedwardsville.com, howtoadvice.com)