Category Archives: Environment

The Challenges of Going Green (And Why It’s Still Worthwhile)

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These days, more people are realizing the importance of living in a cleaner and greener kind of way. But it’s not as easy as we all wish it was. Green lifestyles come with their own problems and challenges. You have to be prepared to deal with these if you’re going to live successfully with a green lifestyle. Here are some of the main issues that you’ll face, and why it’s still worth doing more to go green.

Tech Problems

There are some problems that will necessarily arise when you are using technologies that allow you to will in a green way. For example, you might be using new energy saving appliances in the home. Sometimes, these tech items are brand new, and they can be relatively untested.

This can lead to problems and issues with things breaking down. These teething problems just have to be accepted and overcome if you want to push forward and become greener. Even solar panels can experience difficulties; repairing solar panels can be necessary sometimes. Make sure that you let an expert take care of that work, though.

Problems can occur with new eco-friendly technology

Leave repairs of green technologies, such as solar panels, up to the experts. Image via Pixabay.

Changing Your Everyday Behavior

For many people, this is the most challenging thing of all. Breaking those simple everyday habits that you’re so used to can be a real struggle for some people. It’s a struggle that you should work hard at, though. You might occasionally forget to recycle things or turn the lights off or conserve water.

But if you start to pick up on these mistakes and correct them, you will eventually get into the habit of doing things differently. We’re all creatures of habit, so it’s not going to be easy for you, but it certainly can be done.

Sometimes Sacrificing Convenience and Ease

It’s occasionally necessary to sacrifice some of the modern world’s ease and convenience when you want to go green. You have to do without some of the things that make life simpler.

For example, you might want to cut down on the amount of plastic you use and throw away. But if you choose to do that, you will have to cut down on the amount of quick, processed and packaged food you buy from supermarkets each week. It’s definitely a positive step, but that doesn’t make it any easier for you to implement. That’s just one example of how convenience may have to be sacrificed a little.

Environmentally friendly actions in your house

Going green within the home may mean sacrificing a bit of convenience. Flickr Photo.

Why You Should Still Do Everything Possible to be Greener

After reading all the things above, you might be wondering why you should bother going green at all. But that’s the wrong conclusion to draw. In fact, you should see these challenges as worth overcoming because you have a very positive impact on our environment if you do.

Still not convinced? Well, the biggest issue for most ordinary people is the financial side of things. If you start conserving energy and water, and looking to clean, renewable alternatives, you can save your family a lot of money. That’s why you should push ahead regardless.

Time to be Green: Ways You Can Make a Difference

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We are always looking for ways to help the planet. After all, we want to ensure the world stays in good condition for future generations. However, a lot of people struggle to find ways they can help as an individual. But there are plenty of things you can do in your normal life to be more green and ultimately help the planet. In fact, here are some ideas of how you can be more green and make a difference in your daily life.

At work

We firstly need to take our attention to our work life in the quest to be more eco-friendly in our lives. After all, there are lots of changes we can make in our work routine to make a difference. Firstly, you should consider how you are getting to work. So many people rely on their vehicle to get them to their workplace. But if you are constantly using your car, you are affecting the environment. Therefore, be more green by skipping the car and using a bike or even bus to get to work instead.

Also, you need to make sure you turn off your tech when it’s time for lunch. So many people leave their computers on all day, but they are wasting a ton of energy. Therefore, ensure you put the computer to sleep to help the environment. And try and not waste so much paper during the day. Take notes on your tablet or computer instead!

Biking is a more eco-friendly transportation option than driving

Go green by skipping the car and biking to work, if you can. Image via Public Domain Pictures.

At home

You also need to look at your home life for ways to be more eco-friendly. After all, there are lots of changes you can make to ensure you are a greener family. For one thing, you need to ensure you are recycling. As much as it’s tempting to put everything in the trash, take the time to separate them into the right sections. And if you have any electronic items, you can even attempt to sell them online. That way, you can repurpose the item and make money at the same time. You should also take steps to go more eco-friendly with your heating. In fact, you might want to change to solar energy which will not only save you money, but it will help the environment. And while it can be pricey to install, it will help you to sell your home in the future. After all, it’s an appealing feature that people will love to have in their home.

Solar energy on a home

Solar panels will hopefully come down in price soon. They are a great renewable energy source. Piaxaby, CC0 Public Domain.

On the go

You can also make green changes to your life when you are on the go. First things first, ensure you take a reusable bag with you for your shopping. You don’t want to waste plastic bags which will end up contributing to the world’s waste!

Also, take the time to look in second-hand stores. After all, by purchasing clothes that have been used previously, you can ensure you are giving them a second shot at life. And don’t hesitate to take the kids to do green activities while out and about. Taking a trip to the park will ensure you are eco-friendly while the kids have a great time!

And once you are more green in your life, you can feel happier you are making a difference in the world!

Arctic Volunteering to Help the Environment

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If you’re the type of person who revels in being unconventional and you don’t want to go on a stereotypical summer vacation, you could satisfy your wild side by voyaging to the Arctic. The Arctic Circle is incredibly large and includes five countries, those being Canada, Alaska (America), Sweden, Finland, and Russia. This polar environment is full of opportunities that constitute an interesting and very challenging break from the monotony of normal life and provides you a chance to learn new skills.

Husky dogs and volunteering opportunities

Siberian Husky Sable. A glorious dog! Original photo taken by Flickr user Sue and Marty. Edited by User:Pharaoh Hound, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.

Husky farm

White, gray and black patterns adorn the husky dog, and at the volunteer husky farm at the Arctic exploration center in Finnish Lapland, you’ll find puppies that need training and love. There are a variety of tasks all throughout the year as the training conditions for the dogs stays stable and allows the construction of trails to carry on unimpeded. The farm is just 2 miles away from the Hetta, a village with superb beauty and fantastic sporting activities.

You can enjoy a hike up the snowy mountains or go kayaking in the few streams with currents too strong for the cold to melt them. The classics are on offer in the form of skiing and snowboard opportunities down the twisting tracks of the mountains.

This is a physically demanding vacation as the husky dogs are always restless and bred to travel long distances in the freezing cold but it’s very rewarding and uplifting. Glorious creatures such as the arctic husky, will teach you the importance of pack animals in the wildness and challenge you to learn how to communicate with animals to get the best out of them.
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