08 April 2013

Green Living


Climate change, global warming, carbon emissions, melting ice caps are terms that suggest a looming apocalypse. Some time back, they just sounded like gloomy predictions of some scholarly people but now such changes have affected almost all of us. We all want to do something but many of us really do not know what is to be practically done so we can make a difference. The general advice is to lead an eco-friendly lifestyle with a low carbon foot print. So how does one go about it?

Using public transport or carpooling, using bicycles, opting for renewable energy sources (wind/solar), reducing electricity consumption, recycling waste (dry and wet) are some options that most of us have taken up. This article recommends reducing our online activities to save electricity.

What about our food? It’s often packed in reams of plastic which obviously does nothing to help our environment. It is transported from the farms to markets afar in distant towns or even abroad. So that carries a carbon footprint as well right?

Some experts suggest choosing local produce to reduce this effect. It not only encourages local farmers but local foods are said to afford health benefits for that particular climate. Buying fruits grown from distant Australia in Mumbai probably doesn’t sound a good idea in this respect. Several farmers do grow the ‘exotic’ varieties which can give us a taste of those fruits and vegetables without a major ‘carbon footprint.’ I found this website that lists fruits and vegetables that are most and least likely to have pesticide residues.

I guess it takes huge sacrifices and major changes to lead a lifestyle with a minimal carbon footprint. However within the constraints, it is possible to reduce it significantly. Any more ideas are welcome!
Take care!

6 comments:

S. L. Hennessy said...

It's so hard to live green, but so important. I do my best every single day to try and be as green as can be.

Happy A through Z blogging!
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/

Silvia Writes said...

Wish I could use public transportation, but where I live (Southern California) that's an impossibility. I did so in Europe, and still do when I visit.
However, living "green" entails many things, and we try as hard as possible to work on saving our planet -- the only one we have. Very important!
Silvia @ Silvia Writes

Sheila Siler said...

I find that many people talk about living "green", but few are actually willing to try. We try to "reduce, reuse, recycle" as much as possible, but I find that I still have a long way to go before I could honestly say I am living green.

Stopping by from the challenge - nice to meet you :)

@SheilaScribbles #madlabminions

Susan Scott said...

Thank you for this interesting post, and the one contained within it. Sooo important we all do whatever we can, and re-cycle, recycle recycle. Save water, switch off lights, pick up trash..
Thank you, great post!
Susan

Archana said...

Thank you Susan, Sylvia and H L Hennessy.

Archana said...

Thanks Sheila.