Let's Be Green

If the spate of natural disasters and extreme weather events happening all around the world hasn't had you worried about the state of Mother Earth, it's high time you got up to scratch on global warming and the dire effect it has on our collective futures.

Some stats to scare you into action:

- Over the past 50 years, the average global temperatures has increased at the fastest rate in recorded history. Experts think the trend is accelerating: the 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 1990.

- Worldwide, the proportion of hurricanes reaching categories 4 or 5 - with wind speeds above 56 metres per second - has risen from 20% in the 1970s to 35% in the 1990s.

- Excluding the ice caps and ice sheets of the Arctic and Antarctic, the total surface area of glaciers worldwide has decrease by 50% since the end of the 19^th century. Glacier-retreats rates have been increasing in the Andes, Alps, Himalayas, Rocky Mountains and North Cascades.

- The loss of glaciers not only directly causes landslides and flash floods, but will likely cause some areas of the most populated regions on Earth to run out of water.

- Lessened snow cover, rising sea levels and weather changes may influence not only human activities but also the ecosystems.

- Rising global temperatures predicted for the coming centuries may trigger a new mass extinction event, where over 50% of animal and plant species would be wiped out.

- Rising global temperature might cause forest fires to occur on a large scale, and more regularly.

- Climate change and consequent extreme high temperatures have severe implications on health as heat exhaustion, and respiratory problems increase.

(Sources: Maxx-M Magazine, December 2007, 20, New York Times july 02 2008,16)

It's apparent that living green is no longer considered an alternative lifestyle confined to the realm of tree-hugging, caftan-wearing hippie types. Everyone, from politicians and governments to big businesses and celebrities and the man on the street is up in arms against global warming, and green living has very much become part of the mainstream consciousness. Governments are pledging to reduce national carbon emissions, corporations are investing in clean technology and celebrities are wearing their green conscience on their sleeves, driving around in hybrid cars and endorsing green living. Sustainable living - the act of living in a way that will not compromise the ability of futures generations to meet their needs - far from a trend or mere novelty, is here to stay.

The pertinent question that begs asking then is what YOU are doing for the environment, especially when every action or decision we make has a direct or indirect affect on it. For the uninitiated, a carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our human activities have on the environment in terms of greenhouse gases (or carbon dioxide) produced. And if you haven't jumped on the green bandwagon by now, you can bet your carbon footprint is pretty darn big. Here's how to get started on reducing it:

1. Get educated. It isn't difficult to learn more about global warming and green living if you keep your eyes and ears open. Some helpful sites to check out: www.treehugger.com, www.idealbite.com, www.worldchanging.com. Celeb watch site www.ecorazzi.com even shows you how your favourite Hollywood stars are getting in on the green act.
2. Turn lights off when you leave a room or go out, and install energy-efficient bulbs and appliances.
3. Instead of using the car for short distances, walk.
4. With water becoming an even scarcer resource, it's imperative we watch water wastage. Install water-saving shower heads and aerators, turn the tap of when brushing your teeth and shampooing and take a quick showers instead of long baths.
5. Recycling recognize that every item thrown away has taken energy and resources to manufacture and transport, and it will take even more energy and resources to process and dispose of, whether through landfill or recycling. By the recycling and re-using items such as bottles and bags, you're reducing the energy that would be used to have them disposed of. Shoppers worldwide are using 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags per year. This translates about 150 bags a year for every person on earth. Honestly, do we need that many?
6. By the same count, instead of discarding clothes and items, pack them off and send them to a charity or the Salvation Army. You're saving earth, and helping a needy person out at the same time.
7. Some air travel is inevitable, but make up for it by going online to calculate your carbon emissions and offset it by donating to a worthwhile green project.
8. Our household cleaning products are often filled with nasty chemicals that have dubious health and environment implications. More non-toxic, biodegradable products made from renewable resources can now be found on the selves. If you're balking at spending on these, go

   au natural and discover the wonders of home-mixed cleanser - vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean almost anything. Mix in a little warm water with either of these and you've got yourself an all-purpose cleaner.

9. Reduce paper wastage at work by printing on both sides, and only what you need.
10. Put your money where your mouth is. Green-themed mutual funds that buy stocks into companies involved in green tech are a dime a dozen and many are enjoying pretty good returns.