Expression GreenExpressing the need for a healthy green lifestyle

Global warming is a major threat for the earth and its inhabitants, so it is important that we all contribute towards making earth a better and safer place to live in. One way that we can help to save the earth from pollution and global warming is by constructing green roofing. Green roofs are known as vegetated layers that sit on top of the conventional roof surfaces of a building. Green roofing is an excellent option for city people to have greenery around their home, who lack green space such as yard or deck. Apart from offering pollution free environment it also provides opportunity for expressing one’s creativity and brings nature back to the city. Green roofing are also known for providing aesthetically pleasing effect and offer a visual contrast to the pavement and steel that mostly dominates the city. 

Green roofing have many environmental benefits such as, it reduces water runoff that occur with typical homes. It is also good for the community as too much runoff can result in flooding and water contamination. Green roofing are made of soil and plant life and are able to absorb as much as 75% of falling rain water. Through condensation this moisture is release back into the air.  Green roofing is also able to reduce the presence of toxins in the environment. The plants of the roof absorb the pollutants present in air and water and also the carbon-di-oxide to make the environment safe and clean. The plant produces oxygen that also makes the air free from contamination and impurities.

Green roofing is also an excellent investment as a properly installed green roof last at least twice as long as typical roofing material, thereby saving one’s repair and replacement costs. It also significantly reduces heating and cooling bills. Temperatures in cities are much higher than in surrounding areas because of prevalence of buildings in a small area. Built with traditional material these building absorb and redirect the sun’s heat making the cities much warmer than rural areas where there are less building and more green space. Many cities are offering incentives to builders for having green roofing to their buildings.

Basically there are two types of green roofs such as intensive green roofs and extensive green roofs. Intensive roof garden feature large plants or lawns and require a great deal of maintenance such as feeding, watering and soil care. Extensive roof garden has only a thin layer of soil and requires very little work to maintain. These kinds of green roofing are good for the environment and also pleasing to the eye. It not only providing positive impact on the environment but it is also increasing the value of one’s home.

With all the problems we hear about the environment and the fears for global catastrophe because of its deterioration, the people’s consciousness about being eco friendly is increasingly being highlighted. From trying to recycle to using more biodegradable products to building eco friendly homes, what we call the green home, everyone is trying to do his or her part in saving the planet. It is no surprise then that many campaigns among several segments are increasingly becoming popular – what is called the green movement is now not only limited to protecting the forests and vegetation but also to every other aspect that can contribute to keeping the ecological balance and making this world a healthier place to live in.

 Apparently, building a green home has some certification requirements as stated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). There are several products that are now being marketed that consumers buy as “green products.” A product must be eco-labeled before it can be considered a certified green product. You can check online if the product you are buying is certified and that you are not being “greenwashed.”

 From materials for home building to the smallest home accessories, you can find environmentally friendly options to make your home a green home. For example, you can opt to buy organic sheets for the bedroom. Such sheets are made of organic cotton, meaning the cotton used for the production of the fabric was not treated with pesticides or environmentally harmful dyes and other chemicals. There are also other sheets and curtains that are made up of 100 percent recyclable materials and some are made from plant-derived components. All of which are nontoxic and noncarcinogenic. There is also what is called the phosphate-free laundry wash, which is made from organic plants and is also biodegradable. Building a green living space also means conserving water and energy resources. You can start with a energy-saving lighting system and energy-saving appliances. The cooling, water-heating, and the lighting systems of a home must all be energy-efficient. A water-conserving irrigation system may also be installed; for example, a house could have a system to collect and store rainwater. The house must also be open to natural daylight, which means reduced energy consumption and a structure that would allow better home ventilation. As for building the house itself, naturally renewable resources and raw materials such as bamboo must be utilized. There are also other materials made up of recycled constituents, like kitchen tiles, that are available and these should be prioritized. Outside the home, landscaping can play a big part in making your home environmentally friendly. If the space allows it, plant drought-tolerant plants that do not require being constantly watered, cover your screen windows with vines, and, if possible, have large canopy trees around the house.

 Thus, from raw materials in home building to the smallest accessories and appliances inside the house, we can make our contribution in trying to save the environment. It does not take much, and the smallest act of concern will contribute a lot in the grand scheme of things.

They are intended to change our behaviour and the way that we live, to make us less wasteful and conserve scarce resources for generations to come. We are consuming the planets resources at an unsustainable rate and this article will look at 3 of the proposed taxes to see if it will change anything.

Green Tax No 1. To try and persuade us to drive less, the government has increased petrol prices by 1.5 pence per litre. Not much you might say, but it makes our petrol even more expensive and we already pay one of the highest rates in Europe. It will now cost you up to 50 pence more when you go to the petrol station to fill your tank up, will this make you drive less? I think not, therefore is this a green tax or just a plain and simple money making tax. Every extra penny per litre adds millions of pounds to the governments income per year.

Green Tax No 2. Air passenger duty is due to rise from £5 to £10. Even on short haul flights this is not going to make much difference. Are you not going to go on holiday or visit friends by air because it costs you an extra fiver more… again I think not! This extra £5 will raise millions of pounds for the government in revenue.

Green Tax No 3. Ken Livingston the London Mayor wants to charge 4×4 gas guzzling residents of London much higher parking and congestion charge fees. They may be angered by the tax, but they may just pay-up. Especially as London now has more million and billionaires then almost anywhere else on the plant. I agree that this is a step in the right direction proving the amounts are high enough to make people think twice about buying one. I have friends that have 4×4 as they want more room for their partner and one child. Get real!

With all these green taxes being introduced I find it difficult to believe that the government allows for the rail fares to be increased above inflation pushing more people into using cars. I have been on those expensive, crammed, rush hour trains and its not nice I can tell.

When the tax payer has some real options to help reduce carbon emissions, then a taxation regime to deal with unnecessary pollution appears more justified, at the moment it seems like raising money is the main objective and not cutting the effects of climate change.

Do your bit for the environment by buying organic food from the authors website and learn to lead a greener lifestyle by learning from these Eco Articles.

Many people are going green to reduce their carbon footprint to help to save the environment.  But going green can also have a positive effect on your bank account as well.  If you are looking to save some green, going eco friendly can help you to do so in multiple ways.

Save energy

Looking for ways to save energy can help you to save money as well when it comes time to pay your electric bill.  And you don’t have to switch to alternative energy source for that electricity, although that is a good idea in itself.  Setting your home thermostat down a few degrees in the winter and up a few degrees in the summer will waste less energy.  Changing to compact fluorescent light bulbs will save energy and put fewer light bulbs in landfills.  Washing your clothes with cold water and then drying them on a clothesline will help you to save a lot of money and energy when you do the laundry.

Save water

Another way to go eco friendly and save cash is to save water.  Try taking shorter showers or installing a low-flow showerhead. Wait to run dishwashers and washing machines until you have a accumulated a full load.  And when planting outside, look for plants that need a minimal amount of watering.  When it comes to the water you drink, skip on buying the bottled stuff and instead get a filter for your home tap reducing plastic bottle consumption.  Carry a reusable water bottle filled with your filtered water with you to help reduce waste and cut your costs.

Save fuel

If rising gas prices are a concern for you, then saving gas will help you save money along with saving the environment.  You could try walking or riding a bike instead of driving where you need to go.  Telecommuting, using public transportation, or moving closer to work will help save you money in the face of rising fuel prices and reduce your carbon footprint.

One of the best solutions to consider is to buy a converter kit for your vehicle, thus making your existing car a hybrid. By performing the simple task of installing the kit, you will make use of cleaner fuel and reduce your personal emissions as well as get an overall lower gas price. This, coupled with tremendous financial savings due to reduced gas costs, makes installing a kit an easy win–win decision for any consumer.

Save food

While you might not think of the purchase of groceries as being eco friendly behavior, there are some things you can do while shopping that will help the environment and save you money.  Try eating one additional meatless meal a week, or go completely vegetarian.  This will help you cut your grocery budget and reduce negative environmental factors.  Buy locally produced food as much as you can – not only will the food be fresher and healthier and likely cost less, but you will not have to worry about the carbon footprint created for shipping the items nearer to you.

Buy smart

Buying smarter will help to save you money and allow you to be more eco friendly at the same time.  Recycling is great, but “Reuse before Recycling” as this saves even more resources. Try finding gently used secondhand products instead of buying new, particularly for items like furniture, appliances, clothes, and even toys.  Buy products from companies that use alternative fuels in manufacturing and/or are conscious about their carbon footprint.  Borrow books and videos from the library, and share toys and tools with neighbors.  You can also buy in bulk to save money reducing the amount of packaging that come with your products and reduce your usage profile.

If you pay attention to your everyday life, there are plenty of areas where you can shop smarter and save green in both your pocketbook and the environment.

Green cars are the current trend in the auto industry. The upward surge of gas prices and the increasing awareness of the global warming threat among consumers have prompted them to look for environmentally friendly and wallet friendly vehicles.

For decades, American motorists have favored larger cars like sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks. Currently though, the demand for smaller and fuel efficient cars is increasing steadily. Going for green cars like the Toyota Prius not only protects the environment but also the consumer’s wallet. These green cars are known for their fuel efficiency thus reducing the amount of money spent on gasoline.

Aside from that, hybrid vehicles come with a tax incentive from IRS. Consumers are advised to consult their dealers about tax incentives they may avail of when purchasing a hybrid vehicle. Recently, a new money-saving issue has cropped up.

Insurance companies are now offering incentives for hybrid car owners. In fact, some insurance companies will automatically replace a hybrid car’s battery pack if the vehicle has been involved in an accident that damaged the stock battery pack. Currently, battery packs for hybrid vehicles are priced at about $3,000. Some insurance companies also offer premium discounts for hybrid car owners of up to five percent.

Hybrid vehicles are already numerous in the United States with domestic and international brands offering different hybrid cars. Ford is already leading the field for domestic car manufacturers in developing and producing hybrid vehicles. Asian brands like Nissan also offers hybrid version of their popular vehicles like the Altima sedan for the mentioned company. The Altima hybrid is essentially the common Altima except that it employs hybrid technology to complement its high performance parts such as Nissan strut bellow.

Toyota and Honda lead the pack with their host of hybrid vehicles. The Toyota Prius still remains as the most sought after gas hybrid vehicle in the United States and this is evident in increasing year over year sales of the model. Honda also offers a hybrid version of the Accord and the Civic.

Aside from going green on vehicles, Americans are also exploring new ways to save on their energy consumption. In California, almost 4,700 residents are using solar energy on their homes. In connection with that, insurance companies are also providing incentives for homeowners using solar energy on their homes. Candysse Miller, the executive director of the Insurance Information Network of California, has this to say: “Environmental awareness and action is more than just good for the planet – it can be good for your wallet. Not only can you save with reduced energy bills, but some insurers are offering insurance packages to address this growing market segment.”