How to Start Your “Green” Journey Before we look at how to start “living green,” I think it is important to first understand why we should do it. Our planet's natural resources are rapidly depleting and its human occupants must be held accountable. The rate at which we are polluting the Earth is increasing much faster than the rate of its ability to restore itself. Every day, water sources are polluted and depleted, the air contaminated, the landscape destroyed and more and more animals are facing extinction. Not only is this the wrong direction for our environment, but it also directly affects the quality of life of those who live there. But there is hope for change! We can reverse this impact by educating ourselves on how to coexist on our planet and reduce our negative impact. Even the simplest, most subtle changes to our lifestyle can make a huge difference. Many people are overwhelmed when it comes to living eco-friendly. These changes can sometimes seem so drastic that people don't know where to start or simply don't do anything. Many are discouraged by the common misconception that reducing your carbon footprint must be expensive. But don't worry. You don't have to grow your own organic produce, convert your vehicle to biodiesel, and cover your house in solar panels all at the same time. Just start by minimizing; use less energy, drive less, use foods and products with fewer chemicals and waste less. There are plenty of simple, affordable tips to help you get started. First, you need to recycle, reduce and reuse. Most waste comes from food that can be composted into fertilizer. The other half can be plastic, glass, aluminum and paper products, which can be sent to your local recycling center. There is also man...... middle of paper ......re efficient household appliances. Some simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint include switching to LED or CFL bulbs, turning off electricity when not in use, driving less, weatherproofing your home, avoiding disposable plastics, and saving money. water. Hopefully all of this will inform and inspire you. you to start making a difference during your time here on Earth. It is our duty to take care of our planet now, so that it is in an even better condition for future generations. If we continue at our current destructive pace, our planet may no longer be habitable for life in the future. We must live in peace with our environment, not just occupy and abuse it. If we disrupt the balance with nature, we risk compromising the opportunity for others to have enriching life experiences on this planet. We have the power to limit and reverse the damage we have already caused, but we must act now.