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Another great renewable energy source that is as timely as the sun is wind. Wind turbines are built with large blades and a rudder to catch the wind as it blows, thus turning the large blades, which then charges up batteries and other energy storing devices. Though the sun is always present, wind sometimes is picky about when it blows, but when it does, the amount of energy that is converted is amazing. The stored energy from the wind used to power companies and homes just the same as the sun, and when used in tangent with the solar panels, the amounts of stored energy is more than enough to run large businesses and homes. With using wind energy, it will also reduce the cost of the electric bills and therefore take less energy for the power companies to need to use to power large city blocks or rural communities. Wind energy is a renewable energy source that will never lose its value and because of that, it will always remain, along with solar power, as sources to harness.

There has been a great deal of buzz from the general public and with those like used car dealership Dallas, in the last few years about the future of hybrid vehicles. From electric to hydrogen, the debate is how to best reduce our use of fossil fuels and in turn the pollution of the internal combustion engine. However, there is another issue that seldom is brought up when discussing this future and that is where are we getting the components needed for batteries and other parts needed to power these vehicles. Lithium has to be mined and in these areas a lot of destruction of natural habitats take place which disrupts communities that depend on these areas for subsistence hunting, fishing and gathering.

More people, as the reality of keeping up with our need to travel, not just for trips, but for everyday as we travel to work, shopping and back home again are questioning whether it is better to transition to smaller vehicles, drive a bit less by planning trips and seeking jobs that allow for telecommuting.

Companies all around the world are moving to go green. In doing so, they hope to cut costs and make their companies more eco-friendly. For organizations like banks and telephone companies that send out a monthly bill, they started to offer paper-less billing, which would require their costumers to utilize the internet more for email. Instead of sending out bunches of paper statements via the mail every month, companies instead use email and send out that same statement electronically. This helps in saving trees which is good for the earth to save. For those that are still not hooked to the internet, there are some companies that offer their clients the ability to call an automated voice service to acquire the same information, and as such, the clients are able to pay for their bills on the phone as well. Also, to urge clients to switch to paperless or telephone statements, companies often offer incentives so that the clients are more willing to make the switch.

It is time to do something about our declining environment. Climate change, pollution, dwindling fuel supplies, species die off and more are escalating year after year while big business denies responsibility, government drags its feet, and regular folks try to ignore their part as gluttonous consumers. Change will happen by each person making lifestyle changes that support a sustainable future. Big business will always follow the flow of dollars, and each dollar spent is more powerful than any ballot vote in the eyes of government, so power is in the hands of the people.

Eating organic is good for you and the planet, so do it. Whether you live in Fla. or southern Cal, solar panels installation makes sense and can save you money by way of selling excess back to the grid. Replacing your lawn with gardens lowers use of fuels, reduces pollution, sequesters CO2, and provides oxygen, so do it.

Not only is there solar and wind energy that can be harnessed and converted into power, but water also offers the same ability. Hydro power is used in states and areas with large water sources, as the water can be used to create and store power. Hydroelectric power is an extension of this- as the current of the water pushes fans under the water to create a charge that can be stored in different devices.

Natural running water offers an endless supply of power to constantly turn turbines and store energy, much like the wind. From the energy stored, businesses can run machinery and utilize the ample supply of energy in an effort to cut down on costs and harmful emissions to the environment. Since the water is only turning turbines, there is no harmful side-effect to the environment itself. Much like using solar and wind energy, hydroelectric power is renewable and offers a better alternative than power plants and nuclear energy.

A few years ago, water filters were made to fit on the end of the sink to produce better, healthier water for people to drink. This same water is found in bottles at the store, ready for you to purchase for a few dollars. As it turns out, by using the water filter on the end of your faucet will not only save you the money from paying for bottles of water, it will also reduce the amount of manufactured plastics, thus helping lead to a better world.

Since we use so much plastic, recycling isn’t catching it all, and for those that decide to burn things as their answer to waste disposal, burning plastic is quite harmful to people. Filtering water at your home is also a guaranteed way to ensure that all of the impurities are removed, as you are doing it yourself. Not to mention that the money you will be saving will allow you to do other fun things with your family.

When it comes to construction loans for new building projects, it might be worthwhile to stop and consider the many grants and incentives there are currently being offered for green building techniques. Obviously there is a need for this kind of awareness at the planning level; one cannot just suddenly make a building green in the building process, although substitution for more sustainable materials is one way that this could be done. However, if eco-building techniques are considered in the planning process such that when it comes time to apply for loans there is clear evidence that it will be a "green" building then it can be much easier to secure specials that only apply to those who are building green. Even if you just look at it in terms of solar, the opportunities for making that a more affordable option are many.

Kermit the Frog said it best when he said his signature line, “It ain’t easy being green.” This creed speaks volumes, especially as we look at the current state of affairs in the world. Companies are constantly trying to go green in order to be more eco-friendly, since being green has become the norm. While this may look good for stockholders and the bottom line, consumers have to pay the ultimate price, getting substandard products, which inevitably may lead to recalls. Saving trees is a good thing; reducing waste is just as valiant, however, to what expense? Giving consumers products that have the potential to cause harm because the company wants to cut a few corners here and there? Regardless of what companies do to go green, it will never be easy. Going paperless has merit, but seems all but impossible as companies require files to be held for so many years. Relying on recycled goods is another good thing, but how to you recycle when there is nothing to recycle because we have ended the use of plastic? Again, it ain’t easy being green.

While it might well be the case that most people don't associate green homes with affordable housing that doesn't mean that the two don't have something in common. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that if there is anything that tends to have a lesser carbon impact it would be multifamily housing. Anyone who has taken a carbon footprint test while living in various types of housing will tell you that the larger one's home, the bigger the footprint. Living in an apartment building or a dormitory is probably the best way to find yourself with a smaller footprint.

Obviously, there are many other components to being green when it comes to housing, from building materials to energy efficient appliances to the lifestyle choices of those living within. All said and done, such factors such as location will also play a big role because of the amount of driving required on a regular basis. That being said, with more and more building projects embracing environmentally friendly designs and the fact that multifamily homes are often more green, affordable housing may become a greener and greener choice over the coming years.

The more that consumers purchase, the more waste that is accrued and needs to be dealt with in one way or another. What would be the best way to dispose of so much waste? Well, initially, taking it to a landfill seemed to be the most appropriate answer, but that is becoming more and more inappropriate. As landfills fill up, scientists have found that the one-thought purpose of biodegrading trash is not working quite like they had expected. Now, it seems the push is to recycle any and all waste products in an attempt to reuse them to reduce the amount of waste all together. Recycling centers have long since sprung up in many different cities in an attempt to herd people into using them rather than throwing away everything. The process is effective, and more and more packaging is made from recycled materials, limiting the amount of new waste being created. In the end, this will help us as we move to a greener world.