Green Living eBook

Responsible Volunteering

There are all sorts of different places and organizations where you can volunteer your time.  There are also numerous ways for you to volunteer. Some places need hands on people (i.e. Habitat for Humanity) whereas others might just want someone to help answer phones or do other supporting jobs. Certain charities may need people with experience in very precise areas. Some charities may even be looking for people to help organize big events or even be on a board of directors.

Volunteering is an excellent way to be green, especially when you find an organization that does something that you are very passionate about. Volunteering not only allows you to travel through forests educating people about animals or building playgrounds for young kids in urban areas, but they also give you the chance to meet other people with similar interests. Volunteering is a very rewarding experience that you will take with you for the rest of your life. It can feel good knowing you helped clean up an area or gave an impoverished family something to eat or a place to live.

Giving your time is something that the organizations will appreciate as well. Most charities are always ready to welcome newcomers into the fold. Charities also offer many opportunities as well. Some may make use of your skills; if you are good with the public, they may ask you to do some public speaking on their behalf.  Others may not have room for you to do something you’re particularly good at. But that just means you will have the chance to learn to do something completely new.

Volunteering can be local, such as with your church group, school organization, or even your place of employment. If you are a part of a local group, you can even organize a little charity project yourself and get others in on it. Consider ideas that are practical and helpful to your community, such as cleaning up an area to make it a park, picking up trash, doing a food drive or clothing drive. There are plenty of ideas out there for you to act on, and many are easy for others to take part in.

Just like with donating money, if you intend to donate your time, check websites like Charity Navigator in order to find reliable charities that need help. You can also check Action Without Borders (www.idealist.org), SERVEnet (www.servenet.org), and Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch.org) for a wide list of ideas of where to go in order to volunteer and what charities are available. If you really want to work outdoors, check out Wilderness Volunteers (www.wildernessvolunteers.org).

You don’t have to volunteer locally either. There are a lot of volunteer options that can take you across the nation or even across the ocean!  If you’ve always wanted to help people in Africa, there are charities that can help get you there to do so. If you were hoping to travel into South America to help preserve the rain forest, there are charities that do that as well. If you can think of it, there is likely to be a charity that does it.

Understand that some volunteer projects might be more strenuous than others. Be sure to talk to the organization about what their goals are, what projects they intend to take on, and what you will need to do in order to be a part of it. Most charities have their own equipment, working with other organizations or even companies to obtain it. But some may still require you to bring a few things of your own like gloves or a hammer.  Others may not require you to bring anything, but would greatly appreciate any items you could bring that would help them out. Talk to the project leaders before bringing anything though—they may have specialized equipment or certain standards/regulation that need to be followed.

Don’t be afraid to make suggestions while on the job. If you are with an organization that happens to be painting a house, see if they will accept using natural or low/zero-VOC paints instead. You may even be able to start change on your own by contacting various companies that supply natural paints and seeing if they would be willing to donate a few gallons to the organization. By proposing your own ideas, you may in fact inspire others. Perhaps someone in the group planned of paint his or her house, but will now make sure to use a natural paint instead. In turn, this provides free publicity and patronage for the company providing the paint. A win-win situation for all parties involved.

Always make sure to show up on time when you are supposed to. Being late is not only rude, but can hold up projects. This can be particularly problematic when a project is time sensitive. Regard your volunteer job like you would any other job; arrive on time, be polite, and be ready to work. Remember, you chose to volunteer because you wanted to—so make sure it’s something you love!  If there are going to be times when you might be late or not be able to make it, let the leads of the project know as far in advance as possible so they can make the necessary arrangements to handle the change in plans.

For the most part though, when you volunteer, make sure to enjoy yourself! Don’t forget why you came out in the first place—to help others and make the world a better place. Remember, change comes a little at a time, but even the smallest of things can make the biggest differences.

Public Transportation

The other option for getting from point A to point B is not using your car at all, but instead opting for public transportation. After all, why spend money on your car to the store when you can just pay a few dollars to have someone shuttle you there?  Public transportation has always been around, though it isn’t always a popular choice. However, it does have the benefit of moving multiple people at once; if a bus holds 20 people at any given time that means 20 cars are off the road. Each one has its positives and negatives depending upon your location and where you want to go.

Buses tend to be rather cheap. A dollar, maybe two and you’re off to wherever you want to go. While driving your car that 20 minute round-trip might cost you a gallon (which in today’s economy can range anywhere from $2.15 to nearly $4), a bus ride might only cost you $1.50. Buses have a wide range of routes that take people to residential areas, hospitals, shopping centers, grocery stores, airports, and more.  College students should be especially mindful of buses because on many campuses, all a student needs to do is flash their ID and they ride for free. A good deal for someone who often finds him or herself a bit on the broke side.

Taxis will be a little more expensive as the driver will charge a fare based upon several factors, the most common being the distance and time it takes to get from the pickup point to the destination. By opening up your phone directory, you should have a list of taxi companies available. Most towns have at least one taxi company that you can call. They can pick you up anywhere you choose, whether you’re at home or in need of a ride back from a place. Some taxi companies are even taking green routes by exchanging their usual cars for hybrids or other fuel-efficient cars. Some are also installing GPS navigation units, which provide direct routes and can make for quicker driving times.

Major cities tend to offer rail systems. These can mean trams or metro systems. Above ground or below ground trains have been in use for a very long time, beginning with the days when railway travel was popular, as well as the only way to go. Today they are faster and more efficient; New York’s subway system is always a bustling place and in Tokyo people are literally crammed into the railway cars. Taking rail transportation is generally cheap—you can get from the Bronx to Coney Island for about $2. If you live in a small town, you aren’t likely to have any rail systems, but if you decide to travel to a major metropolitan area, don’t be afraid to try them out.

**No Transportation**

There is also the most fuel-efficient mode of transportation at all—no transportation. At least, not one with a motor. If you want to visit the library, and it is only a mile away, you can easily walk to it. Talk to people from older generations and they will tell you how often they walked instead of hopped in a car. Cars are luxuries that offer us speed, something that most of us tend to take for granted. We jump in any time it suits us. But walking offers much more than a car can.

Walking just 20 minutes a day makes for good exercise. You can wear moisture-wicking clothing so you don’t have to worry about getting uncomfortably hot or sweaty.  Walking to a destination makes you healthier and keeps carbon emissions out of the air. It’s a win-win situation all around. While it is true that you cannot walk everywhere—your friend’s house is 30 miles away or you need to do large grocery shopping—try walking when you can. If all you need at the grocery store is a box of cereal, bring a reusable bag and go for it. Choose well-lit areas if you decide to go somewhere at night, and walk along populated areas that are good for pedestrians. Don’t forget your cell phone and forms of identification.

Biking is also growing in popularity. Bikes were once all the rage, but now they’re mostly used for fun as opposed to getting to places. But thanks to

the green movement, people are realizing just how useful bikes are. They’re faster than walking, a lot of fun, and also give you a nice healthy serving of exercise. In fact, it may even be beneficial for your wallet as well. In 2005, the Bicycle Commuter Act came to life, which offers tax incentives to employees that ride their bikes to work. Employers have to be a part of the program in order for this incentive to be available, so if you’re thinking of biking to work, talk to your employer to see if you qualify.

If you choose to bike, it’s best to stick with sidewalks. However, you can use the roads if you like, but you have to obey the same traffic laws as the cars around you. Know how to indicate you wish to turn left, right, or go straight. Be sure to wear reflective clothing at night and include plenty of reflectors on your bike so motorists can see you. Helmets and other protective gear are a good idea in case you take a spill. You can also add baskets or tow something behind you in order to carry items from the grocery or store.

By avoiding cars and driving altogether, you can save a lot of money, especially when gas prices are on the rise. By using your legs instead, you’ll get healthier, and keep the environment just a little bit cleaner.

Transportation doesn’t have to be a bruise on the face of the planet. By handling it responsibly through making good decisions about when to drive and when to keep the car in the driveway, we can reduce the number of cars on the road overall, and that’s a big step toward living green.

Responsible Driving

The infamous subject of transportation. For years cars, trucks, and other modes of transportation have been topics of many talks dealing with the environment, and not in a good way. Millions of cars are cruising down roads this very moment all around the world, spitting out carbon emissions that harm the environment.  Every time another subject is raised, it always gets compared to cars. For example, if every home in the United States were to switch out a single incandescent light bulb to a CFL bulb, the pollution prevented would be the same as removing 1 million cars from the road.

In 2009, the “Cash for Clunkers” program offered as much as $4,500 to consumers if they got rid of their gas guzzling vehicle and bought a more efficient one instead. The program was a success—such a success in fact that the government started to run out of vouchers! By the time the program ended, nearly 700,000 clunkers were taken off the roads. There are several options open to you when it comes to driving responsibly. If you didn’t get to trade out your car, you don’t always have to drive it. But if you do have the money to get a new car, there are several types to consider.

**Fuel Efficient Cars**

Many people have heard of the different fuel efficient cars being made available on the market. While we’re still waiting with bated breath for the one car that will get 100 miles or more per gallon, we’ll have to settle for hybrid cars and biodiesel.

~Hybrids

A hybrid is a car that uses an electric motor and an engine that runs on gasoline. By combining the two together, the car has lower emissions. Hybrids take the best from electric cars and gasoline-powered cars and puts them together for a very effective mode of transportation. In fact, they can get as much as 35% better gas mileage than typical gasoline-powered cars, and some brands boast that their models can get as much as 50 miles per gallon in the city and a few more miles when on the highway. It may not be 100 miles per gallon, but it’s certainly getting there!

Hybrids are unique in that you don’t actually have to plug them into an outlet in order to recharge them.  Instead, when the gas engine runs, it charges the batteries, and when you brake, that energy is also utilized to keep the batteries going. The gasoline engine keeps the car going great when at high speeds such as on the highway. But gasoline power is less than efficient when doing city driving or cruising around at lower speeds. This is where the electric part does its job, lessening the amount of gasoline needed to get from block to block. All in all, a hybrid can emit 50% less greenhouse gases than typical cars, and sometimes the percentage is even higher.

Hybrid cars are still a bit more expensive than most other cars, but the companies that make them are finding ways to make them cheaper every year. Hybrid cars are yet another way to get a tax credit. Certain hybrids can earn you as much as $3,400. It depends upon the make, model, and when you purchased the vehicle. You can check the IRS website to find out what vehicles qualify and how much you might get for buying them. A good tax credit can help to offset the amount you paid for the vehicle when comparing it to a cheaper, gasoline-powered car.

~Electric Cars

These cars have an upside and a downside. Electric cars aren’t very mainstream nowadays and simply aren’t efficient when it comes to long trips or highway driving. Instead, electric modes of transportation have steered clear of cars and focused more on electric buses or shuttles, which can recharge on a schedule.  Electric cars don’t have any emissions at all—but they still need to be charged. This means that whatever is powering the electricity going into them may very well produce emissions. The only way to be truly free of emissions is if you have solar power in your home and can use that to charge up an electric car.

Even so, an electric car isn’t good for much except driving around town since they don’t often last longer than 100 miles. In some ways, this might not be a bad idea, especially if you have a gasoline-powered car that gets less than idea mileage with city driving. They’re hard to come by, though if you do find and buy one, you can get as much as $15,000 depending upon the car’s weight and its battery capacity.

~Flex-Fuel Cars

A flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV) uses a combination of gasoline and ethanol or methanol to operate.  Depending upon where you are going, you have the option of using either gasoline or ethanol or methanol in your car. Ethanol is also known as grain alcohol (that’s right—moonshine!) is gaining a bigger foothold than methanol when it comes to supplanting gasoline as a fuel. By using a fermentation process and transforming corn into ethanol, it burns cleaner which means a huge decrease in emissions.

The problem with ethanol is that it takes a lot of corn just to make a few gallons. People are also concerned with the growth and manufacturing process of ethanol. The only way to effectively utilize ethanol would be to grow organic corn, maximize green practices at processing plants, and uses ethanol in order to power transportation units. It’s a large change, and one that isn’t likely to happen overnight.  Ethanol still has a long way to go despite its positives.

Methanol is made using natural gas—methane. However, it has to be compressed into gas or liquid form in order to be stored. Doing so takes a lot of energy, which can offset the benefits of methanol. It’s much less popular than ethanol, and a lot harder to find. In fact, it can be difficult just to find a station that sells ethanol as well. You can visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s site (www.afdc.energy.gov) for a list of stations as well as other information, which can be important if you plan on taking a long trip using a FFV.

~Biodiesel

Diesel itself is a created from the oil distillation process. When crude oil is heated, components called naphtha are used to make gasoline. The heavier components below naphtha are used to make diesel.  Though diesel gets better mileage, it’s just as nasty as gasoline, but in different ways.

Biodiesel is different. It isn’t made from crude oil, but instead created from vegetable oil, animal fats, or used cooking oil. It may sound strange, but you can even buy a home kit to create biodiesel in your spare time. The creation of biodiesel also has a useful by-product—glycerol. You can then use the glycerol to make soap. Biodiesel can be used in a diesel operated vehicle with few to no modifications to the system.  Ironically, it has solvents in it that may actually release deposits built up in your fuel system from regular diesel. While it’s nice that it can clean things up, these deposits might clog up fuel lines or filters, so keep an eye out until you’re sure everything is running clean.

Biodiesel exhaust actually has a unique smell. Depending upon what type of oil is used, it can smell like all sorts of tasty treats such as doughnuts or popcorn!  Biodiesel is gaining in popularity—you may even see a few commercials touting biodiesel. It is just one more clean fuel to think about utilizing.

~Your Car

If you can’t buy a new, fuel-efficient car, then you will simply have to make due with what you have. But that doesn’t mean your current car needs to be a gas guzzling hog. There are plenty of small steps you can take that will help improve your fuel usage. Most are easy, free, and can be done in the span of an afternoon or as you drive. Don’t forget about carpooling either!

Aggressive driving wastes more gas because of rapidly accelerating and slamming on the breaks. Try to drive evenly; you’ll save gas and it won’t be nearly as hard on your car.

Most cars tend to use fuel most efficiently at around 60 miles per hour. Every car will be different when it comes to the exact number, but once you get past that number, you’ll likely end up using more gas.  However, it’s still important to heed traffic signs, so if you see a highway sign stating 70 mph, it can actually be more dangerous to go slower.

Keep your tires filled. More air in your tires means they are at their best ability to carry your car because they don’t have as much resistance against the road as flatter tires. Doing so will not only save you gas, but also give your tires a longer life.

Heavy loads can make it more difficult for a car to function at its peak.

Check your car’s manual to find out what the maximum load is, and don’t go over that number. The less your car has to carry around, the better it can function.

Don’t idle for too long. An idle car uses gas and gets 0 miles per gallon in the process. Some people are unsure if starting your car takes more gas than letting it idle for a minute or two. Most sources like the American Auto Association agree that if a car idles for long than 10 seconds, you’re better off shutting it down and then starting it back up again later.

Regularly take care of your car. That means yearly check-ups, oil changes, and tire rotations. This can extend the life of your car and allow you to get the maximum amount of fuel-efficiency out of it. Don’t let it turn into a clunker!

Responsible Working

A lot of people think that green living stops at home, but it can easily continue elsewhere. Just like when you shop or go out for entertainment, you can take steps to be green while at work. It may seem out of your hands to make changes at work, but there are many things you can do on your own to make your workplace greener just as there are ways you can encourage others to do the same.  What you’re able to do will depend upon your job, though many types of employment will offer plenty of options—including jobs that encourage green living by being green themselves!  Working in an office or in a retail store, the goal is to do what you can in order to make the Earth a better place.

**Finding a Job**

Whether you’re fresh out of college or looking for a change in jobs after 15 years, there are a lot of green options available. Jobs in the environmental field will range, as will their requirements. You may need at little as a bachelor’s degree to do field work or a lot of higher education in order to handle extremely technical aspects inside of an office. Jobs helping the environment aren’t limited to working for the EPA or being a biologist. Many fields of study are very specific and require specialized areas of knowledge.

If you’re just starting out in your job search, it’s important to know that the terms “environmental” and “environmentalist” are not the same.  An environmentalist is a person advocating environmentalism; a focus on helping the environment though political, social, and other means. A job that is simply listed as “environmental” means it doesn’t necessarily advocate protection or conservation of the environment. It can, but it doesn’t have to. The job will simply deal with the environment, working equally with other areas (political, social, etc.). If at any time you aren’t sure what a job or company’s policies or goals are, just ask.

Unsure of what you want to do?  Consider the changes you might want to make or the things you want to help with. Do you want to protect natural resources or let the public know about the dangers a company poses to the local landscape?  Do you want to work to clean up groundwater or navigate a national park and educate the hikers and campers there?  The possibilities are wide open. Here you’ll find a short list of jobs that need different things, but are all rewarding in their own way.

Conservation Scientist:  A very green job; work includes protecting natural resources from soil to water. They conclude what the least environmental impact would be should natural resources be desired by someone for a project or otherwise. They can also check for soil erosion or research methods to keep drinking water healthy.

Ecologist:  Act as an advisor to companies or other groups on possible environmental impacts that can occur depending upon the project desired. For example, a company wants to build a new structure, but must level an area of land first. An ecologist will survey the area, noting important plants and animals that exist there, and what would happen should the construction get underway. Their knowledge can help improve a project and thus lessen any damage that might be done by offering alternative ideas.

Environmental Journalist:  A person in this line of work needs to remain objective. The job is to write about important environmental issues, focusing on facts and delivering information to the people. Jobs can be found with nonprofit organizations as well as paying media channels.  A journalist will interview various people and obtain opposing perspectives in order to deliver the full story.

Forester:  A forester often works with timber companies or landowners. They make sure that regulations are followed when wood is cut down and collected. They help ensure that forests are taken care of as best as possible, encouraging new growth and offering alternative ideas whenever necessary.

Geologist/Hydrologist:  Often working as consultants, these job titles mean you would evaluate groundwater, examining its availability and its quality. If the water has been contaminated, they will assess to what extent and advise ways to handle the situation. They also point out the problems of over-pumping and suggest different sources when too little groundwater is available.

Park Ranger:  This job allows you to work in any number of national parks. This may mean hiking along trails and checking that campers/hikers are taking the proper measures to keep their impact upon the wild low, or talking to the public at stations, educating them on everything from leave-no-trace practices to fire safety. Park rangers help maintain the balance between the parks (and their animals) and people.

Solid Waste Manager:  These jobs are handed out by the city or county and deal with garbage disposal. Some will also work as consultants. They can help determine the appropriate sites for landfills or incinerators and ensure that regulations are being followed when it comes to current waste sites. Occasionally, a solid waste manager will take time to educate the public in order to promote proper waste disposal and encourage recycling in order to create less waste overall.

Toxicologist:  When chemicals get into the environment, it is the job of the toxicologist to examine the impact those chemicals might have on the ecosystem.  They determine how dangerous it is, what the repercussions are, and what might happen if people are exposed to it.  Chemical and pharmaceutical industries tend to employ these workers in order to make sure they are working at a safe level and following correct regulations when it comes to disposing of unwanted chemicals.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator:  All our wastewater runs through these facilities; as a wastewater treatment plant operator, you would work in the facility, handling sewage in order to properly dispose of it so clean, treated water can be allowed back into freshwater areas.

Wildlife Biologist:  Slightly similar to an ecologist, a wildlife biologist focuses mostly on animals, studying how they live in their particular ecosystem.  They can occasionally be hired in order to find out the potential impact upon populations should some sort of project be planned for an area. This can be a very important job when an area contains endangered or threatened populations.

You can also visit the Green Dream Jobs (www.sustainablebusiness.com) or the Environmental Career Center (www.environmentalcareer.com) to find your ideal green job.

**On the Job**

Once you find a job, there are a lot of things you can do in order to keep being green. If you choose a job that serves the environment, then you are already well on your way to providing a better world for future generations. However, sometimes people have no choice but to work at jobs that are less than environmentally-friendly. Finding yourself at one of these places can be a challenge, especially if you are fighting to have a green lifestyle.

However, a non-green job doesn’t mean you have to quit. There are still things you can do to make your job a green place, though sometimes you may find yourself facing some opposition. Talk to your managers, or if you are a manager, talk to your superiors. There are many options that you can take in order to make your workplace greener. More of this will be discussed in the next chapter, “Greening Your Office,” and you will have a clear look at all the ideas available when it comes to creating an environmentally-friendly work area.

Responsible Entertainment

People are constantly looking for new methods of entertainment. A lot of it costs money, and much of it tends to be mindless entertainment. The occasional bit of mindless fun is just fine—after all, everyone needs a little something now and then that allows them to unwind. But you don’t have to spend a lot of money for green entertainment. In some cases, you don’t even have to go anywhere. As long as you make responsible choices, fun things can be right around the corner.

In Chapter 3, ideas for helping your children learn about living green included several places you could visit that presented both entertainment and knowledge. Locations like this are ideal when it comes to having a good time in a green way.  These locations included museums, zoos, national parks, local farms, your own backyard, and road trips. Each of these presents a learning experience, especially if you have children. However, if you don’t have kids that doesn’t mean you won’t learn something as well.

Checking out local sites can save money as well as driving time. Local farms, orchards, historical sites, parks, and other areas of your home town and its surrounding areas can make for great entertainment trips.  Most are also free, allowing you to walk amongst apple trees during the autumn, tread through the same house as Civil War soldiers, or simply have a lakeside picnic. Whatever you feel like doing, there is a good chance you’ll be able to find a location for it. Try checking your local bookstore for travel books detailing your area. Ask other people about spots you may have never heard about. By doing a little digging, you may be surprised with what you discover.

Libraries are good sources of entertainment; money savers, energy savers, waste savers, and material savers. By visiting your town’s library you get the option to check out books, movies, or music. If you want, you can kick back in one of their chairs and read a magazine. Many libraries also offer internet access. Their computers tend to be on the moment they open until the time they close. Take advantage of this and switch off your own computer. Instead of using up your energy, visit the library and do some of your business there (naturally, don’t do things like paying bills as those computers are public ones). Then pick out a book, choose a movie, and be on your way.

Even if your library doesn’t have everything you want, many libraries are a part of a network and have inter-library loan programs. These programs allow you to request a title of a book, movie, or music CD and if another library in the network has it available, it will be sent over to your library where you can then pick it up. Inter-library loan programs are fantastic and can save you a staggering amount of money simply because everything is completely free. Just make sure to be kind to all the items you check out. Don’t bend, tear, or mark on books. Handle CDs and DVDs with care to avoid scratching them.  And of course, if your library is close enough, don’t drive. Give yourself a little bit of exercise by walking or biking.

Certain places like museums tend to be free, though it is a nice idea to leave a little something in their donation box (if they have one). You can learn about the past, gleaning all sorts of little details from informational podiums. The same can be said for zoos and national parks. Fees charged are often nominal—maybe $7 for an adult, the same price as a movie theatre ticket, and you don’t even have to leave after 2 hours—and you can take all the time in the world to enjoy yourself and gaze at what Mother Nature has to offer. Both zoos and national parks often have programs at certain times given by employees to help teach the public about everything from animal endangerment to forest preservation.

An important thing to note when it comes to venturing outside are the rules. Every location has rules.  Inside historical homes, you’re asked not to touch the furniture. In zoos, you are not to feed or attempt to touch the animals. There are rules you need to follow outdoors as well, especially in wild areas like national parks. In any situation, prepare for whatever trips you plan to take; this will save you from buying more of what you already have at home. When at your destination, don’t take anything except pictures. In parks, hikers and campers are highly encouraged to “leave no trace.”  Don’t pick wild flowers, catch wild animals, take objects like seashells, or leave behind trash. Acting like a responsible adult that knows how to pick up after themselves will help keep parks clean and teach your children the proper way to act in such locations.

When choosing souvenirs at entertainment locations, consider first how they might have been made and where the materials might have come from. It’s neither authentic nor green to buy a little hula girl statue in Hawaii when it’s made of non-recyclable plastic and is stamped “Made in China” on the bottom.  Purchasing locally helps the indigenous population and keeps them from moving on to other, more environmentally detrimental jobs like mining. On the flip side, buying items made from materials like animal parts (bone, fur, teeth) or coral may not be Earth friendly; that alligator skin bag isn’t likely to have come from an alligator that died of natural causes. Aim instead for crafts made from more sustainable items, or if you know for certain that fur and bones have been scavenged instead of proactively obtained. This guideline can ring true in many places, exotic or local.

Staying at home may very well be one of the greenest methods of entertainment ever. You aren’t driving anywhere, you aren’t spending any money, buying any souvenirs, or using the resources at a facility.  Instead, you can hang out in your own backyard or be your own artisan and create a number of crafts.  Whether you have children or not, there are still a lot of things you can do at home. Take some time to create a garden; vegetables or flowers. Inspect the various plants already growing in your lawn. Learn to identify trees or insects. Set up a birdfeeder and take up bird watching. Or just kick back and enjoy the sunshine (with appropriate sun block, of course).

When inside your home, green crafts abound. Search online or in crafting books to get a few ideas on what you can do with the remains of old soap, empty cans, jars, bottles, or lonely baskets. Discover ways you can make a doggy bag tote out of old dog food packages. Learn how to make various holiday crafts out of pine cones from your own pine tree, milk carton goodies, or eggshell candles. The possibilities are virtually endless!  One thing to note on crafts; when using additional craft products such as adhesives or extra materials, try to find green versions. Some, like craft glue, can be a bit difficult, and you may not be able to find an alterative for everything. Just try your best. As long as you throw out less and reuse more, a little glue will be fine.

Green, responsible entertainment isn’t hard to find once you know where to look. In fact, many green activities can be a welcome change to what most of us are familiar with. Turn off the television and get some fresh air. A family trip to the zoo can be a bonding experience. Crafting with your kids might lead you to discover the little artisan inside of them. Introducing your partner to the joys of long walks—even if they’re just around the block—can be a quiet time to merely enjoy one another’s company.  Entertainment doesn’t have to break the bank—or Mother Nature’s back.