Green Purchasing

Did you know that your shopping choices affect the environment? Everything you buy affects the Earth, but some choices have a lesser impact. Educating yourself about the products you buy can empower you to make a difference in protecting the planet.

It's called green purchasing, and it's easy to do.

• Buy recycled. Items made from paper and plastic are often made from recycled materials. Buy recycled toner cartridges that are compatible to your printer brand. Also look out for household furnishings and gardening tools made from recycled materials.


• Buy in bulk or multi-packs. Buying more items at once reduces packaging waste. You can also buy items with packaging that can be reused or recycled. This also reduces going frequently to the store that may entail additional fuel consumption. Take advantage of free shipping on bulk orders.
  


• Buy used. You can find authentic retro clothes, accessories, and other items at your local thrift store.


• Trade with friends. Instead of buying brand new products, swap with friends or family. Someone's trash is another one's treasure. Oftentimes, there are many things and belongings that are just left unused.
  


• Combine bags. When you're at the mall, don't get a new shopping bag for every item—combine bags or put them in your backpack. (And be sure to hold onto the receipt!)
  


• Buy energy-efficient items. Look for the ENERGY STAR® logo when buying electronics such as TVs, CD players, DVD players, and computers. ENERGY STAR® is a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also, don't forget to check for gas-efficiency when purchasing a new vehicle.

Taken from here.

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Mother Earth News: Benchmark Glaciers Shrinking Faster

Here's more bad news for our Mother Earth.

I've read in this report that three major glaciers from the northwest are shrinking more rapidly. This does not augur well for mother earth and all of us as sea levels will continue to rise and threaten more the availability of fresh drinking water.

Image taken from here.

The three rapidly shrinking benchmark glaciers cited in the report are South Cascade Glacier in Washington state , the Wolverine Glacier on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula and the Gulkana Glacier in interior Alaska.

Scientist have long acknowledge that global warming has made glaciers all over the world to shrink. These recent findings shows that the rate of shrinking has gone faster in the last 15 years. Some glaciers have even already disappeared.

This news is more evidence of the sad predicament of our mother Earth. Soon, we would have no fresh water to enjoy

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Today is Green Britain Day

I wish Great Britain good luck in their campaign to be greener by the 2012 Summer Games in London.

I hope all developed countries will also campaign for a better environment and a better planet.

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