Adrian Kiger explains what it means to 'go green'

The global consciousness is experiencing a great deal of change these days  Not only are people recognizing the need to pay more attention to the environment and our impact on its' natural habitats, but they are actively making changes in their own lives to help reduce our collective footprint on the planet. People are stepping up in hopes that we can not only preserve the natural beauty of the Earth, but also to feel like they are doing their part in this call to action as well.

But what does it mean to help Save the Earth or Go Green? The first step in understanding this question is to realize that these are not, at their core, buzz-words, nor are putting them into action a mere trend. Green living and environmental consciousness may be a result of the topics experiencing a growth in popularity as of recent years, but the need has always been and will always be present.  The steps being made right now are baby steps in the big scheme of things.

Today, it has never been more hip to live with respect to the planet, and this is a great opportunity for people all over the world to educate themselves about what their own efforts mean for themselves and for the generations to come.  Using and wasting less can feel pretty good too, and less is what Green Living is essentially all about. Thinking about something beyond yourself whenever you do so much as throw something away or bag your groceries in plastic. More than a movement, it is a lifestyle.

The lifestyle has even been embraced at The White House, as the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, has initiated the planting of a White House garden! Encouraged by Alice Waters, owner of the famed Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkley, California, and passionate crusader for eating fresh food gown locally, Ms. Obama heeded the calling of this noted restaurateur.  Ms. Waters herself had pleaded for nearly two decades with past U.S. Presidents to plant such a symbolic garden (Eleanor Roosevelt was the last lady of the White House to do the same when she planted the World War II victory gardenia long time ago), no coincidence that it is now that importance has been given to sowing seeds and toiling in soil at the home of a President. This is a poignant message; The First Family of the United States will be eating vegetables grown in their back yard as well as sharing the garden's surplus with Miriam's Kitchen, which provides food for the homeless in Washington, D.C.

The Earth provides.  Our duty is to give back.  So, the second step to understanding what it means to Save the Earth or Go Green may be to ask yourself if you are a giver or a taker?  You can be a giver or a taker at any age. What you take can also greatly depend on which country call home. According to The E Magazine Handbook for Living Lightly on the Earth, the 'ecological footprint' of the average American consumer (the land needed to provide the materials supporting his or her lifestyle) is thirty acres, while the average Italian can get by on less than fifteen acres! The mutually beneficial part of reducing your own personal footprint on the planet is that when you act to spare the environment of your impact, you can also save your pennies.

The key word in the common phrase 'Think Globally, Act Locally' is the word THINK, which translates into having to stop and work a little bit harder than you would if you were to go about your day, your life, as if nothing else mattered but your convenience and the world providing for your comfort. Realize that you must think big about what is already provided for you by the Earth (have you ever thought about what you would do without air and water?), and then return the favor.

The LOCALLY part of this phrase means that you can begin as locally as your own daily routine. It can be as simple as recycling so as not to add to a trash dump in your area that you've probably never seen (take a personal field-trip your local trash dump one day and gaze at it, you'd be amazed at the amount of waste the Earth saddles for us, that will never go away). Or, it can mean shopping at second hand stores so as not to spend your money on higher-priced items of which you will grow tired at some point and will sit in your closet taking up your own personal space (saving pennies!).

What kind of light bulbs do you use in your apartment, or the house you share with fellow students? The more energy efficient ones will likely have an effect on your monthly bill. Do you turn your laptop off at night to cut down on energy expenses? Have you chosen to utilize that little patch of green in your front or back yard to grow vegetables in season so you can experience the joy of homegrown food and waste/spend less time/money at the gym and be outside burning calories by working in your bountiful garden? 

Every little bit helps. And if you don't truly believe this then you can hereby consider yourself a taker in the big game of earth-friendly living. If you are not an 'earthy person' or don't posses any special interest in being in the outdoors, then you may just want to try it. Walks in the park or forest are FREE. And they smell good too! Time in the outdoors can be much more entertaining than that contest on television that you watch religiously, but only if you are open to new experiences. The bonus is that outdoor activities do not have to heavily impact the Earth. Low-impact living, that is one of the goals of the giver.

If you are a giver and a student, then you are a perfect place in your life to make a permanent habit out of being on a 'student budget.' You can artfully parlay this circumstance into being a life budget that will serve you, others, and the world if you are someone who sees the beautiful simplicity in creating something out of nothing, and not over-using but re-using.

From that old chair you found at the garage sale that you painted that perfect color of peach, to utilizing/beautifying that 10x12 area between your sidewalk and the front lawn of lady who lives below you on the first floor in which you resourcefully planted the most savory herb garden for all to share, you can use what already exists and make it better. Be creative. The Earth will keep giving to us regardless, isn't it time we make some fun out of giving back?

Ways to Give (& receive too!):

• Recycle - glass, plastic, cardboard, magazines and newspapers, as well as clothes, furniture, picture frames, posters, lamp. Have sidewalk sales and serve homemade cookies! Give whatever is left over to friends or a local hospice organization. Remember, one man's trash is another man's treasure.
• Learn to cook. You will spend less money, waste less packaging, and best of all, eat more healthily if you prepare your own food. Buy veggies (they are cheap!) and steer clear of too many processed/packaged foods. Read labels.
• Fun and frugal idea: Visit your local farmer's market and buy a bunch of veggies that you've never tried before, steam or sauté them up with grains like rice or quinoa, make a big green salad for the side dish and ask your friends to come over and bring bottles of wine!
• Buy local food. Local food has not traveled far to get to your farmer's market or grocery store, so it has had less of an impact all around. Local food also means food that is fresher by the time it is eaten and therefore tastier.
• Bring your own bags to the store! Just get in the habit. If you are in the USA, visit www.chicobag.com for thrifty, handy, functional, and reusable grocery bags that can fit in a purse.
• Use energy efficient light bulbs. These will save you money and save power! Everyone wins! Also, unplug your lamps and stereo equipment if you are going away, even for just a weekend. The unused electrical objects that remain plugged in are continuing to use power.
• Get Involved! Volunteer some of your time to an Earth or community-friendly organization.
• There is power in numbers and it helps to stay inspired when you surround yourself with others who are living in a similar, empowered way. You never know what the effect of devoting just a little bit of your time to others might mean for the bigger picture.

Be a giver.

Adrian Kiger is a writer and certified EcoBroker who lives in Northern California