It is about time that sustainable living and green alternatives emerge in the fashion industry. The buzzword today is ‘going green’ and everybody wants to reduce their ‘carbon footprint’. One such initiative is EcoStiletto, founded by Rachel Lincoln Samoff, former writer of Planet Green and TreeHugger. The site offers green products and services as samples, to encourage readers to get a glimpse of what it means to go green. These products range from mini-cheesecakes to beauty masks. Moreover, the products are trendy, stylish and yet sustainable. There are many products and services that can make modern living sustainable and environmentally sensible. Going green need not necessarily mean that you have to convert yourself into a tree hugger and give up all the pleasures in life, for the sake of the environment. On an individual basis, huge changes are not possible to sustain on a long term, therefore it is better to make small changes first, as they are easier to adapt to. Going green or maintaining a green lifestyle entails basic aspects like recycling, reducing the use of oil-based energy sources and increasing personal use of organic products. The underlying principle of going green simply states that people should live a natural, healthy way, keeping their natural resource consumption to the lowest. in case you want to explore more about what does going green mean, check out the tips given below.
Meaning Of Going Green
The meaning of going green translates to using common sense and having empathy and respect for the natural resources that we depend upon. A few examples that describe sustainable living are:
- Use a canvas bag or bag made of natural fiber, when visiting the grocery store. If your state has not yet implemented a plastic-free policy, you can take the responsibility of at least reducing your own consumption of plastic bags. If possible, get your near and dear ones as well as acquaintances to do the same.
- Car pooling is one way to reduce the consumption of fuel. Better still is a win-win situation of bicycling, instead of using a vehicle. It not only reduces fuel consumption, but also improves your health and fitness too.
- Reducing water consumption, such as replacing a water-guzzling lawn with a vegetable garden or using less water while washing dishes and cars, is also a great way to turn green.
- Reduce consumption of power when unnecessary. Turning lights and appliances off when not in use helps to reduce energy bills and thus conserve energy, in a big way. You can also shift to energy efficient light sources.
- Using organic products and natural cleaners, instead of synthetic and toxic products, also helps you in going green.
These are a few simple examples that you could follow to start on the path of going green. Once you have achieved this, you could move to a higher level by recycling waste, say by building composts, indulging in water recycling and harvesting, shifting to organic food products, using energy efficient appliances (such as solar powered machines) and even living in green homes. Some people may say that going green is expensive. It is true that organic products, energy efficient appliances and hybrid vehicles are all more expensive than other products. However, the initial high investment pays itself off by reducing your expenditure in the long term. A ‘penny wise pound foolish’ attitude not only increases your long-term expenditure due to your short sightedness, but also affects the environment negatively. Therefore, it is necessary to be conscious and caring towards the environment. Remember, the more we give, the more we will get in return.