Why Go Green?

We have all heard the saying "Go Green", but what does it mean, and is it important? Is the environment really in that large of a state of distress? Can one person really make any difference? These may all be questions that you are asking yourself. Well, the best way to answer them for yourselves is to know a little more about energy and how it affects the world you live in.

Our main source of energy, at the moment, is fossil fuels. We have been using fossil fuels for decades now, so why stop? You see, Fossil fuels are created, over time, by the earth, and can only be replaced, over time, by the earth. It was not a large concern until more recently, when researchers at the US Department of Energy discovered that we were using fossil fuels faster then the earth could produce them. On top of stripping the earth of her natural resources, we are also damaging the atmosphere by burning things like coal, oil, and natural gases.

Have you ever heard of a greenhouse effect? Chances are, growing up in today's society, you have. However, do you really know what a greenhouse effect is? A greenhouse effect occurs when the burning of these fossil fuels help trap the suns energy inside the earth's atmosphere, causing the temperature to rise over time. That many not seem like a very big deal to you; what difference could a few degrees really make? Well, imagine how many degrees the temperature has risen with all the aerosol bottles being used, car exhaust fumes being given off, along with the fossil fuels being burned.

With all the people in the world, how could you possibly make a difference? Well here are a few things to think about.

How many lights do you use in your house?

How many bottles of hairspray have you used in your lifetime?

How many miles do you drive to work?

How many electronics do you use, that you don't need?

If you were to stop and think about it, you are able to make a bigger difference then you might realize. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Switch to non-aerosol hairspray. Carpool or consider public transportation for your commute. Give up that extra cell phone, or computer. By reducing how much energy you use, you can make a big difference. Not to mention, think of all the money you would save.

So many times you will hear people say, "So what? I won't be around for it when things go bad." I can only assume those people do not have children, or grandchildren. Bad times are coming quicker then you might like to believe. It will not be some great-great-great-great grandchild of yours that will be affected. It will be your children, or maybe even your grandchildren. With the temperature ever-rising, the polar ice caps are melting. Many people believe the world is already over populated. Imagine what it will be like when water begins taking over land, and the few unpopulated places become populated. With so many people, crammed into so little space, sickness will begin to rule the world as we know it.

As you can see, this is no laughing matter. The time to take action is now. Do not let your children or grandchildren live in a world without hope. One person at a time, we can begin to save this earth.