Why a Green Economy Matters

Why a Green Economy Matters By Lasisi Adedoyin .K.S. We find ourselves in a loop in which environmental degradation is causing economic problems. For example, severe weather conditions are destroying property and agricultural land and driving up insurance premiums. Similarly, as the demand for depleting natural resources has increased it has become more lucrative to use land for non-food stuffs, which in turn is making This is having profoundly negative feedbacks on people in terms of food security, poor health, insecure shelter, insecure livelihoods and job losses food more expensive. In the past 50 years the global population has doubled. More importantly, this has been combined with an even more rapid increase in the quantity of resources consumed on average per person. Facet of Green Economy  GENERATE ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCESENHANCE  ENERGY EFFICIENCY  LIMIT NEGATIVE IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT  ENERGY STORAGE CAPACITY 10 Ways to Go Green and Save Green Save energy to save money.  Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.  Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.  Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. Save water to save money.  Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.  Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.  Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area Less gas = more money (and better health!).  Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.  Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.  Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic Think before you buy  Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.  Watch a video about what happens when you buy things. Your purchases have a real impact, for better or worse  Keep electronics out of the trash. Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.  Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.  Recycle your cell phone.  Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event