Green cars are good! Green cars do save money and reduce your CO2. That said there is a cost to the planet for each new car made; even highly efficient, small cars. If your old car is small, you don’t drive much, or you have a newer car it may not make sense to replace it simply to get a super efficient car. Tires, seats, the body, electrical parts and so on all take energy and materials to make. If you’ve got a big old gas guzzler that you drive non-stop, then yeah, a newer energy efficient car is likely worth it. But if not, you may be better off in the meantime simply using smarter green driving tactics.

Green homes rock! Green homes in general are a good goal. Using green building tactics can make your remodel a healthier experience and green homes can save you money. There are however difference between a healthy home and a green built home. Many of the aspects that go into creating a green home can be healthy – i.e zero voc paint but some green aspects such as solar panels or energy efficient appliances may be healthy for the earth (which is good for humans), but you need to go beyond that for total human health. You need to consider what’s inside your home both related to air quality and furnishings. You need to clean your home with green cleaners.  Your home should have healthy HVAC, ventilation and filtration systems. Green and healthy do come together, but not in total. You need to consider both issues.

Energy efficient appliances save resources! They do to a point but human habits save more. For example if you have an energy efficient washer and dryer, and you always run hot water loads and dry everything, you’re not being as responsible as someone with an older set who washes on cold and hang dries. An energy efficient stove won’t save as much energy as a simple microwave. Energy efficient TVs are swell but watching one all the time is not as eco-friendly as the family with an old set who instead of watching TV gets out into nature for a hike. Along with considering your appliances also consider your actual use habits.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Green issue to take with a grain of salt

Try these tips to green your ride:

Ditch the car: Of course, ditching your car is the greenest way to go. Not all the time, but at least some of the time try the following – walking (huh – you remember walking right?), biking, car pooling, public transportation, or roller skates. I know, skates, not so realistic, but the other options are good to go and greener than your car. If you’re really advantageous, try car sharing. Bold and green!

Buy a smaller more gas efficient car: Just because there’s no hybrid sticker slapped on that sucker, doesn’t mean your car can’t be greener than the next guy’s ride. Opt out of monster gas eaters and choose a gas efficient ride to conserve resources and lower your footprint. Need ideas – read Greener Cars.

Use eco-friendly car cleaners: You don’t even need to waste water with some of the newer car cleaners. Consider…

• Eco-Touch – watch for a review soon (I’m just waiting on some warmer weather).
• DIY eco-friendly car washing
• DIY eco-friendly car air freshener
• Look in your local yellow pages to find an eco-friendly car wash near you – these place recycle their water and use non-toxic cleaners.

Purchase eco-friendly car gear. Such as…

• Recycled Floor Mats – Rectangular Waterhog Eco Mats
• Organic infant seat covers
• Organic Quilted Car Seat Cover
• Organic wool car seat cover
• Eco-friendly car wax
• DIY fuzzy car steering wheel cover – (use organic materials)
• Show people what you think with cool green bumper stickers.

Got any other ideas about how to green your ride?

[image via stock.exchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Green Your Ride – Green Car Tips