While individuals with eco-conscious minds differ greatly, and their needs diverge widely, recent studies are showing that individuals who live near more “green spaces” are more inclined to have lower rates of health conditions. Researchers, as the following article suggests, have found that green space has a valuable effect on a person’s health and is “more than just a luxury good”, noting that the rapport between green space and health was predominantly strong among the youth and lower-income groups.

While people with environmental sensitivities differ greatly, and their needs vary widely, recent studies find that those living near more “green spaces” tend to have lower rates of up to 15 health conditions. Researchers, as the following article suggests, are observing that green space has a positive effect on health and is “more than just a luxury good”, as the relationship between green space and health was particularly strong among children and lower-income groups.

(Article Source the Calgary Herald by Amy Norton)

People who live in green environs may be less likely than those surrounded by concrete to suffer a range of health problems, particularly depression and anxiety, according to a new study.

Researchers found that among more than 300,000 Dutch adults and children, those living near more “green spaces” tended to have lower rates of 15 different health conditions.

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The amount of “garbage” we throw out doesn’t have to be predetermined for us. There are some easy things we can do to lighten our environmental impact as well as reducing the amount we contribute to landfills every year. While some basic garbage items are unavoidable, many are not.

Items with minimal packaging can easily replace similar items with an abundance of packaging. Not only are you making a positive environmental choice but choosing the environmentally friendly packaging may also encourage the competition to change their packaging. Other steps that are just as easy are; use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins, use cloth grocery bags instead of plastic bags, utilize your community compost program, compost food and have a garage sale.

(Article Source: 6 Easy Ways to Lighten Your Trash Can. By Alison Finey)

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t always have to be a chore. Sometimes a few small steps can make a world of difference. Sometimes all you need is a little help. While there are obviously some steps that you need professional help with, there are also many simple steps you can take today to make your lifestyle more eco-friendly.

There are ten steps to leave a lighter carbon footprint, ten steps to take your green living to the next level and ten changes to make when you are really ready to make an eco-commitment explained in the article below.

Some of the steps to leave a lighter footprint include small actions that you have heard before, such as changing your light bulbs to LED lights, turning your car off instead of letting it idle or recycle everything you can. Some of the steps to take your eco-living to the next level are; replace your refrigerator, walk or bike to work once a month or use cloth bags when grocery shopping. Lastly, some steps mentioned for those who are ready for a real eco-commitment are; buy food grown in your own province, take a train instead of driving or flying, check that your attic is well ventilated and well insulated and invest in a new furnace.

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What you eat depends on what is available to you, right? But what is available to you depends on what you eat and what you purchase. Whether you are aware of it or not, your shopping decisions have a direct impact on what companies make and how they make it. If you want to have a green lifestyle and a cleaner environment it is time to start thinking twice about your purchasing decisions.

When is the last time you picked something up at a store and asked yourself, “Is this made of materials that can be sustainably grown and harvested?” Or put something back because the packaging wasn’t compostable or recyclable? Chances are you let these things go because you want that product. However the article below suggests that if you refuse to purchase items that don’t meet a set of minimum “green” standards you are doing your part to help encourage companies to change their methods to make more energy efficient, environmentally friendly products.

To download a “Green Check List” to take on your next shopping trip, click here. Or to read the list in an article format, click here.

February 1st, that time of year when half of us have fallen out of our new year’s resolutions and the other half of us are thrilled that we managed to stick to it! Those who were able to stick to it may be slightly stronger willed, but they also may have set more realistic goals that could be measured or accomplished by writing them down and recording the results.

The link below allows users to download a “Green Home Check List,” this checklist can be used to help all of those who are eager to try and reduce their energy consumption in their home. Like any goals, having them written down typically gives more encouragement to accomplish them. This checklist gives suggestions to “green” your lifestyle in a checklist format. Try posting the list on your fridge or wall to remind yourself of the green changes you want to make this year.

Create your Green Home Check List today to start your new energy efficient lifestyle.

Over the years there have been many trends and fads that have come and gone. The question is what makes them trends that pass and what makes them changes that stay? While you may regret wearing your neon spandex to the gym in the 80’s, chances are you won’t regret recycling your plastics or saving money by properly sealing the windows and doors in your home.

The US Department of Energy is working to ensure that living a green and clean life doesn’t get pushed to the back to the closet like the other fads. Although the “fad” is definitely more of a lifestyle change than anything, there is always the fear that people will stop caring and resort back to their old careless ways. To read the concepts used to continually encourage green lifestyles last year, read the story below. (more…)

Going green started out as something that was perceived as nothing less than a fad, or a step for those who had extra time and money to change their lifestyle. The green initiative then took a turn to target moral obligations to leave a cleaner, greener environment for your children.

While some people are able to stomach the costs and life changes of actually going green, many are not so fortunate. Realistically going green to the fullest extent can be not only time consuming but also expensive. Going green however, doesn’t always need to take this toll on your finances and lifestyle. Changing when you can, and making changes when they suite your lifestyle is not something to turn your nose at. It’s easy to feel guilty when you have to make a trip, alone, in a not so eco-friendly SUV, but the reality is sometimes life can’t be put on hold for the environment.

What you can do though, is make the positive changes when they do suit your lifestyle. If you are building a new home, try and make green choices from the start. Energy efficiency like many green initiatives can seem pricey. But when it comes to home building, these green choices will pay off both environmentally and financially in the long run.

The article below discusses the guilt and hypocrisy of going green. (more…)

World renowned environmental activist David Suzuki has been giving advice and sharing information on saving our environment for many years. His advice stems from his education in zoology and experience as s science broadcaster.

Today, he shares several quick tips on green living. His recommendations are likely things you have already heard of and hopefully are already doing. However, this video is posted with the hopes that you will take his suggestions to heart and change your lifestyle habits and also encourage your family and friends to change their habits to follow Mr.Suzuki’s tips. His tips include ideas to keep your home green, such as; using motion detector lights outside, hand drying your dishes and covering your hot water heater. To learn more tips watch the video below.

David Suzuki\’s Tips to Keep Your Home Green

New steps to be green are taken every day, whether it’s at home or at work. You have probably read some of the blogs posted below about making your lifestyle a greener one. Now, what about making your office, or your home office greener? Making your office green depends on you, your actions, and your purchasing decisions.

Making your office green isn’t as hard as you might think. Small steps like encouraging the use of power bars and 100 percent recycled paper can make your office more environmentally friendly, without affecting your daily routine. If you have a home office, these steps should be even easier, all you need to do is think about making the right “green” purchases!

There are a lot of small steps you can take to make your office greener, steps include ideas such as; using rechargeable batteries, purchasing energy star rated office equipment, using recycling bins and e-waste disposal systems. To read more tips on making your office greener, read the article below. (more…)

We have all heard the term “reducing your carbon footprint.” And we know this means reducing our emissions to help protect our environment. Now in terms of business, we know that if you plan to reduce or increase anything, you need to understand where you currently are, because without knowing that, how can you determine how far you have come? Similar to ROI, you need to understand where you have come from and how much progress you have made.

Saying this, this article suggests you take a carbon footprint test to learn how, and how much, you are contributing to the change in the environment. Once you are aware of how you are contributing to the problem you may better understand how you can reduce your impact.

Small parts of your day such as leaving the lights on or leaving your refrigerator door open contribute to the carbon emissions you output. Calculating small components like this will make you more aware and willing to reduce your own carbon footprint. To calculate your carbon footprint, click here. (more…)