Over the past several years, the concept of “going green” has quickly become a major mantra for businesses, institutions, and just individual people in general. What exactly does going green mean though?
For most people, it means doing and purchasing things that contribute to the creation of an eco friendly world which basically just boils down to things that cause no harm to the surrounding environment. If we examine it a little closer, this means items that either break down naturally (biodegradable), are recyclable, or easily reusable. The reusable grocery bag, for instance, is fantastic example. Not only are reusable grocery bags commonly made with recycled materials, but they cut down on the number of plastic bags ending up in the landfill, while also being reusable for long periods of time.
Of course—as with practically everything—there is an underlying motive that going green presents, a motive that many people and businesses find desirable. Simply put, the motive is money! A lot of money has been, and will continue to be made in the world of “going green,” and where there is money, there is business. However, one must ask, “does going green serve a purpose other than making money?” Let’s look at the reasons why the green movement has become such a staple in our constantly evolving society.
Environmental & Financial Benefits
If you haven’t noticed, climate change has become a major hot button topic over the past decade or so. As a result, a lot of attention has been directed to the overall effect we as a species, have on the environment.
A lot of this attention came to a head over the last decade, as uncommon weather patterns begun to emerge around the world. As such, a lot of businesses, as well as individuals, have started making significant efforts become more environmentally friendly in an effort to offset these changes. However, many have jumped into this movement for a variety of reasons.
Yes, the primary motive for going green is obviously the environment. Additionally though, there are a lot of tax benefits that have been incorporated for certain green changes. For instance, many tax breaks have been implemented for owning a hybrid car, charging stations for hybrid vehicles, using renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, etc.), and energy-efficient home repairs.
It Doesn’t Take Much
A common misconception that many people have about adopting a more eco-friendly lifestyle is that it costs too much money. The truth of the matter though is that there are ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle without breaking the bank. Even the smallest things encourage a healthier environment.
Depending on the state you reside in, you may even be able to switch utility providers. If you live in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C., then you could take advantage of Ambit Energy. There are many positive Ambit Energy reviews stemming from customers in those regions. There may be other providers in different areas, but you may have to do a bit of research to find out.
For those who are working on a limited budget, there are a lot of easy, inexpensive things you can do. One of the easiest is to purchase one or more reusable shopping bags. Aside from that, if you live in relatively close to your work, consider riding a bicycle once or twice a week. Those are just a few of the many things you can do. For more ideas, just go online and do a quick Google search.
If you have a bit more to invest, then the sky is the limit. The past three years has seen a rise in solar power. Homes and businesses alike are converting their residences to rely solely on reusable energy sources such as sun and wind. However, these changes often carry a hefty price tag, usually ranging from a couple thousand dollars, to tens of thousands of dollars. In the end though, these changes carry fantastic tax benefits and ultimately pay for themselves.
Conclusion
In the beginning, the phrase “Going Green” was more of a catch phrase than an actual movement. However, the past several years has seen a rise in the number of people and businesses jumping on the bandwagon. This generally occurs either by altering specific business policies or practices to tie into the green movement, or by promoting products and services related to a more environmentally-friendly consumer. Whether they are acting on or selling too, businesses and individuals that are going green generate a lot of positive feedback.
If you need a little encouragement, please remember that going green is necessary for a number of reasons:
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The need for greater sources of renewable energy to replace dwindling sources of fossil fuels
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To help offset existing negative environmental changes
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The desire to continue to keep the world a safe and hospitable place for generations to come.