What is "Green"?

Everyone is going green...

"Green" is the now popular phrase that describes a lifestyle, commitment, and philosophy toward sustainable living. The idea is to minimize human impact on the environment by reducing the amount of waste and toxins each individual produces so that we pollute less, destroy less animal and plant habitat and leave a smaller garbage legacy.

Everyone is talking "green" including HGTV who is giving away a "green home", Wal-Mart, who is now carrying organic cotton bath towels, and yesterday my national chain grocery store gave me some documentation about how their company is "going green".

To me, the phrase green is synonymous with sustainable living, it is just easier to say. Sustainable living means that you take the resources from the earth that you need without leaving toxic sludge or minimized resources for future generations. The idea is that our grandchildren will not be forced to deal with polluted waters, burgeoning waste dumps and depleted soils just so that we could have all the consumer goods and lifestyle we want.

Is Green a Fad?I hope not. While our interest and commitment in environmental issues wanes and waxes over the years, developing a habit of contributions like recycling, buying energy saving appliances, recycling computers and cell phones, using rechargeable batteries, supporting local farmers and ranchers by purchasing their food directly at farmers markets, nourishing your family’s body and mind with organic foods, and reducing our use of water and electricity are habits we can integrate into our lives and they truly will make a positive difference in the world – especially if many of us do it.

Green Means RespectNative American's have a legacy of respect for Mother Nature. Their culture and stories warned that what we take from the earth, we must replenish. Going green means that we have respect for ourselves, our families, other humans, other life forms, and the earth.

Looking for more?

Tips for non-toxic, organic, sustainable green living.

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