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One of the most effective ways to reduce your ecological impact on Earth is by
"greening" your home. You can view the path of earth-friendly living
as a series of small, manageable steps that add up to a lifetime committed to
sustaining life on the planet.
How
do you begin? Choose organic cleaning and gardening products. Use recycled and
consciously produced building materials. Provide a wildlife habitat in the garden.
Grow some of your own organic food. Compost kitchen and yard waste. And upgrade
your home to include energy-saving appliances and materials. While
making these changes might seem costly, the benefits are significant. They keep
poisonous substances out of the environment and waste-stream. They save you money
on utility bills and insurance premiums while increasing the value of your home.
Eliminating toxic products from around your home will invite an abundance of wildlife.
Make the effort to become the changes you wish to see in the world. You will improve
your health and the health of the planet.
Living an environmentally-conscious
lifestyle is an ever-evolving state. The more you educate yourself about the "green"
choices available and experience their benefits, the easier it becomes to integrate
them into your life. Begin by making small, meaningful changes such as replacing
incandescent bulbs with more energy-efficient fluorescent ones. You can save water
by making sure all faucets in your home have aerators installed and by using a
low-flow shower head. Even toilet tanks can be quickly outfitted with water displacement
devices that will save water. In hot weather, make it a habit to raise the temperature
on your AC thermostat a few degrees when you leave the house for extended periods
of time. By using ceiling fans to help circulate cool air you can also save energy.
Once you've tackled these projects, you will want to make other improvements.
Inspect your home for mold, mildew and toxic building products. Toxins,
such as formaldehyde, can undermine your health. Removing them will improve your
indoor air quality. Commit to choosing low-toxic finishes and furnishings in the
future to reduce your exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds.
When it
is time to replace appliances, research your options and seek out Energy-Star
rated products which reduce energy consumption. For a quick comparison by category
you can visit www.energystar.gov. On this site, occasionally manufacturers offer
rebates on qualified products. Energy-saving products are generally higher-priced
so be sure to consider the lifespan of the appliance and cumulative savings.
Make
sure your home has adequate attic insulation and tightly-sealed doors and windows.
Sometimes completing an energy audit from your utility company can result in a
voucher to help offset purchasing some of these items. The federal government
is also offering tax credits for energy-efficient building upgrades to the home
made during 2006-2007. Be sure to ask contractors about product certification
and consult your tax advisor for details.
When converting a sterile lawn,
abused by years of pesticide and herbicide application, to an organic garden remember
that patience pays. It takes time for the soil to spring back to life, but once
the web of living communities re-establishes itself you will discover the unique
relationships that exist between soil, plants and animals. Keep in mind that while
there may be trying outbreaks of occasional pests, nature always strives to find
balance. Sometimes simple observation can be the first best course of action.
If you can't stand the site of an ugly insect devouring your precious plants,
use organic and biological controls. There are several great books, magazines
and websites devoted to this subject so visit the library, book store or internet
to harvest information specific to your needs.
While making these lifestyle
changes might seem overwhelming at times, remember that as you are inspired by
others, every person you meet can be inspired by your choices. The internet is
a good resource for continued ideas and inspiration. You can see what environmentally
aware people have done to improve their homes and the quality of life in their
communities.
Johanna
Porter Johanna Porter
is a graphic artist and environmental activist who lives in South Florida with
her family.
She is seeking a steward for her earth-friendly home for sale.
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