If you need a reason to go green, deforestation is a good one. Deforestation is one of the major causes of climate change because it releases huge amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. This contributes to the greenhouse effect. Trees absorb the atmosphere-damaging amounts of carbon dioxide and use it to grow, but when they burn, carbon dioxide is released again.

Deforestation is doubly damaging to the environment, because greenhouse gases are released when wood is used as fuel. At the same time, the number of trees is being reduced by cutting them down to use as paper or other products. To put it simply – fewer trees mean more climate change.

So, what can we do to stop this deforestation? Here are some ideas for you.

Plant Some Trees

Stop a little climate change by planting your own trees. As a side benefit, you can keep your house cooler if you plant them on the west side of your home. That’s important in the heat of the summer.
Make it meaningful for the whole family and plant a tree every year for each member.

Try Meatless Monday

One less meat-based meal a week won’t hurt you, and it helps with deforestation. Let me explain -For each piece of meat that came from animals raised on rainforest land, about 55 square feet of forest was destroyed.

Recycle Your Newspapers

44 million newspapers are thrown away each year in the US. Recycling just your Sunday paper would save more than half a million trees every week.

Do Your Errands All at Once and/or Buy in Bulk

Make a list and do your errands all in one trip. Alternatively, buy things like health and beauty products in bulk. Not only will you be saving fuel, you’ll be saving time, as well.

Give Stuff Away

Donate your old stuff to a charitable organization or post it on a web site made specifically for giving away things, such as Freecycle.org.

Share What You’ve Learned About Recycling and Saving Energy

Pass your green tips on to everyone you know. If you help even one person take a step toward being greener, it’s worth it.

Want a visual reason to go green? Watch this video and see what we’re losing:

We take green living seriously at StocknGo. Do you? Let me know on twitter, Facebook, or leave me a comment here on the blog.

It’s almost back to school time! You’re going to need stuff. How can you balance a green life with back to school shopping? We’ve got some tips for you. Don’t worry – it’s easy.

Make a list.

Before you start your back to school shop, plan out what you really need. Do you have to have a new backpack? If it’s not too worn, don’t buy another. Do you really need a new lunchbox? Just because it is on the back to school list, it doesn’t mean you have to buy a new one. Reuse your old things as much as possible. Make a list and stick to it.

What are you writing with?

Try to buy greener choices in pens and pencils. Mechanical pencils are refillable, and are a better bet for the environment than the plain old number 2 kind. You (or your children) may need one small pack of regular yellow pencils for testing, but the bulk of your work can be done with the refillable kind. Go for refillable pens whenever possible, as well.

Watch your paper use.

On average, k-12 schools throw away enough paper to total about 750 trees a semester. If you have kids, you’re probably not going to be able to go paperless. It’s just a fact of school life. Most teachers won’t let them email their homework. Ditto for taking notes with a laptop or electronic notebook. That doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to cut down on your child’s paper consumption. Use both sides of the paper when you can and re-use everything that you can. Recycle all of it when you’re done.

If you’re in college, however, you can probably go almost paperless. When you can’t – use post consumer recycled paper. Make sure it’s processed chlorine free. Same rules go for using and re-using paper.

Buy in bulk

Especially when you have multiple children or you know you’ll be in school at least another year, buy products in bulk. Buy school supplies in larger quantities such as paper, pencils, and pens. But be careful what you’re buying in large amounts – if you’re not going to use it often, buying large quantities can be a waste of money.

Do you have any green tips for back to school? Let me know on twitter, facebook, or leave me a message here on the blog.

We all know that using your air conditioner less during the summer means lower bills, using less energy, and being green. But we’re in the middle of a heat wave and your air conditioner seems to run all the time, no matter what the setting is. How in the world can you cool your home without maxing out your energy use?

A few simple tricks can help you lower your energy use this summer. Some are common sense, and some you might be surprised to find actually help to cool your house. I hope these tips help you to stay cool this summer. Don’t let the summer heat get you down.

Open your cabinets at night to let out any stored, heated air. Your cabinets store heat, and opening them at night releases this hot air. Nights are cooler than days, and letting the air out at night will keep them from being even hotter the next day when the sun is shining.

Keep your curtains closed during the day, and keep your house shaded. The more direct sunlight deflected away from your windows, the cooler your house will be.

Use fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. Fluorescents don’t throw nearly as much heat. You might think this amount is negligible, but how many light bulbs are in your home?

Unplug all your appliances and electronics unless you’re using them. They put out heat when they’re plugged in, even when not in use.

Do your laundry at the coolest time of the day. Use cold water instead of hot or warm. Hang your clothes to dry instead of using the dryer, and you won’t heat your house.

Turn the temperature down on your hot water heater.

Don’t cook during the heat of the day.

Use fans. Any ceiling fans you use will stir the air and make it seem cooler inside your house. If you have plug in fans, use them. Put a bowl of ice in front of the fan. It will send a refreshing, much-cooler breeze through your home. If you open your windows at night and put fans in them, it will blow in the cooler air and you might even be able to turn your ac off for a while. Just check to make sure the temperature in your house isn’t rising at night; you don’t want to make your ac work harder when you turn it back on in the morning. Also, make sure to close the windows the next morning before it starts to get hot again.

Drink more water. Your body needs extra water to cool itself during these hot summer days. Drinking cold water actually tricks your body into thinking it is cooler outside.

Here at StocknGo, we take going green seriously. Do you have any tips or tricks to keep your house cooler? Let me know on twitter, Facebook, or just leave me a message here on the blog.

Recycling is the easiest way to go green.You just toss those items in the recycle bin, and they’re picked up curbside once or twice a week. But what, exactly, can you throw in there?

There are different rules in every city, so you’ll have to check with your local sanitation department to find out for sure what you can recycle. Most places, however, recycle the following items. Every town has different rules so you’ll need to check with your local waste or sanitation department to find out the specifics for your area.

Newspapers. This is pretty much a gimme, and you probably already knew this. If everyone in America recycled just 10% of their newspapers daily, we’d save 3 million trees yearly.

Phone books are recyclable. If like me you use the internet as a giant phone directory, you can choose not to have them delivered at all. If you do receive them, make sure you put them in the recycle bin when you get a new one.

Plastic bottles. Recycling plastic saves twice as much energy as burning it in an incinerator, not to mention saves us toxic fumes. We use a staggering amount of plastic bottles here in the U.S. – more than 2 million per hour. Make sure yours is recycled.

Aluminum cans. An aluminum can that is thrown away will still be recognizable as a can 500 years from now. Recycle them.

Aluminum foil is recyclable.

Glass containers or bottles. The energy saved when you recycle one glass bottle can power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.

Aerosol cans – empty ones. You’ll need to check on this one with your local sanitation department, but most places take empty cans. Make sure it’s empty first – if not, check with your city’s hazardous waste department and see if they’ll take it.

And just for a laugh, here’s a video from Rocko’s Modern Life about recycling.

Do you have any questions about what can be recycled? Ask me on twitter, facebook, or just leave me a message here on the blog.

Every single thing we do has an impact on our planet, either good or bad. You, as an individual, have power over your choices. Put simply, that means you can control the impact you make. As globalization makes the world smaller, your choices affect people around the world.

Why should you care? I’ll give you an example. Did you know that about a fourth of the medications we take come from plants in the Amazon? And that we’ve only tested less than 1% of those plants to get that ¼ of our medicines? The plight of the rain forest hits a lot closer to home now, doesn’t it?

There are easy things you can do to make an impact. They won’t cost you more money, and they won’t inconvenience you. Most of them are in your favor. You make the choice about the kind of difference you make. Think about those choices.

Don’t wait to go green. Buy locally raised or grown foods and vegetables when you can. When you purchase foods from local farmers, you keep money in your local economy. You also reduce energy use by eliminating shipping across states. Did you know that some of the fruits and vegetables you eat can even come from other countries? Not only do you save energy, but your food will taste better. And the way food is grown is regulated in the United States. Not so much in other countries. Do you remember the salmonella scare with green onions not too long ago? Those onions were grown in Mexico, and the contamination came from improper handling.

Don’t eat so much fast food. Here’s a short video from Youtube demonstrating that point:

Did you know that in the US, we spend more than 100 billion dollars each year on bottled water? More than 86% of those bottles end up in landfills. This video perfectly illustrates this point, and gives you some idea of what we’re up against.

Here at StocknGo, we take going green seriously. Do you think about your impact on the environment? Give me your opinion on Twitter, Facebook, or leave me a comment here on the blog.

It’s widely believed that going green can cost you money. That’s simply not true. Green living actually saves you money. Who couldn’t use some extra cash in their pocket? Let’s list some of the ways that you can go green and save money.

Household:

Lowering your thermostat in the winter and raising it in the summer saves you money on energy bills. It also saves energy use.

Using cold water to wash clothing gets your clothing just as clean in most cases. It saves energy, and your energy bills will go down.

Unplugging your appliances and electronics at night reduces your energy use. Did you know that even when they’re not in use, an item that is plugged in still uses electricity? Yep. Unplug everything at night and watch your electricity bill go down.

Buying over the internet can be cheaper than buying in stores, and it can be green. Buy health and beauty products in bulk and save money, and save on energy use. How? Buy once, and ship once. Bulk prices are always cheaper than buying products one at a time, and conserves energy by reducing the amount of times you go to the store/have items shipped.

On the Go:

Packing a lunch in a reusable lunch bag or lunch box saves money and the environment. You cut down on the amount of waste you dispose of every day, and it’s cheaper than eating out for lunch. Pack it full of locally grown or produced foods and you’ll be even greener.

Reusable and refillable water bottles filled at home keeps plastic bottles out of landfills. There are billions of plastic bottles discarded every year in the U.S. Make sure to do your part to reduce this waste. Install a filter if you don’t think your water tastes great. There are several inexpensive types you can use.

Biking to work (when possible) or walking to the store can save you hundreds of dollars each month in fuel. One less car on the road = less emissions and less energy used.

None of these tips are earth-shattering or ground breaking, but they do help, and they do save you money. Just a little effort on your part keeps our landfills emptier and reduces energy use. What do you do to go green and save money? Let me know on twitter, Facebook, or leave me a comment here on the blog.

Oh, and here’s some easy tips for going green from WatchMojo.

Now that summer is officially here, you want to stay outside all the time. Or perhaps I’m confusing you with me. I love the summertime; I’d spend all my time in the fresh air if it were possible. Until, of course, the summer heat drove me either into the pool or under the air conditioning. I’ve been thinking hard lately about how to green my summer and I wanted to share these tips with you.

Dos

Shop local growers and Farmer’s Markets for fresh fruit and produce. Not only will you enjoy the fresh, home grown food, you’ll save money. You’ll also support the local economy.

Alternatively, start your own garden and grow some food of your own. It doesn’t have to be a big garden; a pot on the patio can hold tomatoes, peppers, or any other kind of vegetable you like to eat.
Ride your bike or walk, since the weather is fine. Your body and your gasoline bill will thank you. Just make sure to wear a hat, sunscreen, and hydrate before and after. Carry a reusable water bottle along with you to ensure you don’t dehydrate.

Watch your water usage. Your lawn only needs about an inch a week to grow green and lush. Has it rained an inch this week? If so, you don’t need to turn your sprinklers on.

Consider carrying an eco-friendly tote. They can hold your summer picnic items, and they can also come in handy to carry sunscreen and towels when you visit the beach.

Don’ts

Don’t turn your air conditioner down low and let it run non stop. Setting it higher will save money and energy. Most air conditioning units can’t get your house that cool anyway, and if it never gets below 72, what’s the point? I set mine for 73 and let it cool the house during the heat of the day. I keep the shades drawn to keep out rays during the hottest part of the day. I’m comfortable, and my electricity usage isn’t sky high.

Don’t use paper plates on picnics. Use your own dishes. Use that tote you have to carry your dishes back home with you. If you feel you must use them, at least recycle them. The Environmental Protection Agency says that if everyone in the United States recycled just 10 percent of the paper they used, 25 million trees would be saved each year.

Don’t use pesticides on your lawn. Your kids and your pets play on that lawn. Is a green lawn worth exposing them to toxic chemicals?

What are some of your dos and don’ts for summer green living? Tell me on twitter, Facebook, or leave me a comment here on the blog.

Recently a friend asked me to come up with some ways to green up her work week. Like a lot of people, she leads a busy life and wanted some ideas for some simple things she could do that wouldn’t require a lot of effort on her part. These tips fit the bill; almost everyone can incorporate one or two into their schedule.

1. Put a green kit in your car. Fill up a bag – a reusable one, not a plastic bag – with some things you might need. Put in things like hand lotion and an Instant Cold Pack. The bag can do double duty: If you have to make a stop at the grocery store, you won’t have to use one of their plastic bags because you’ll have your own already on hand.

2. Ride your bike to work one day a week. Bring a change of clothes to work when you drive there on Monday morning. If feasible, ride your bike to work one day a week, and you’ll have clothing to change into when you get there. You don’t have to do it every day; commuting by bike just one day a week helps keep you and the air we breathe healthier. And don’t worry about showering after your ride; throwing some wipes or a wash cloth in your desk drawer will do the trick just as well.

3. Pack a lunch. Get a reusable lunch bag or box and make your own lunch. Use some of those containers you’ve got clogging up your cabinet – I know you’ve got some – and bring foods like fruit and a sandwich. Not only will you cut down on packaging waste, you’ll be eating healthier. And if you stuff your lunch box with locally grown fruit and produce, so much the better.

4. Brainstorm with a co-worker. Ask your co-workers for ideas for green living; maybe they’ll want to commute together, or they’ll join you on your bike ride to work. You never know until you ask.

5. Recycle at work. This can be as simple as making sure everyone has easy access to a recycle bin to throw items in when they’re finished with them. It’s a lot easier to use the recycle bin when you know where it is. Once I worked in an office that had their recycle bin hidden in the storage room; it was inconvenient to get to, and hardly anyone used it. When I moved it to the break room and made sure it was labeled prominently, everyone used it.

It’s easy to green up your work week; these things are not hard to do. Changing the way you do just one thing can help tremendously. Do you have any ideas for greening your work week? Let me know on twitter, Facebook, or just leave a comment here.

We all want our world to be a better place to live, and many of us are trying very hard to be environmentally conscious. I’ve come to the conclusion that while I can’t do anything about the behavior of others, I can certainly change my own. If you’re looking to ‘green’ your lifestyle as well, I’ve collected some simple tips for you. I’ve separated them into categories, so that you can see how you can save energy and go green in many different areas of your life. You’re going to be surprised how easy it is to live green.

Shopping/Food

Buy Local Produce – If the produce doesn’t have to be shipped, just think how much energy has been saved. Farmer’s Markets are all over the place in the spring and summer, so see if there’s one in your area. I look forward to this time every year because I love fresh vegetables.

Shop Online – If you shop online instead of driving your car from store to store, you’ve just conserved energy. See how easy that was? You save money, too: Online prices are competitive with brick and mortar stores. Sometimes they’re even better, in fact.

Buy in Bulk – There are many places online where you can buy cases or half cases of products. For example, let’s say you give your child Flintstones chewable vitamins once a day: A half case is approximately a year’s worth of vitamins and you will save about 25% on the cost of the product. Buying vitamins one time yearly means it only has to be shipped once, saving energy.

Reduce Paper

Get Bank/Credit Card Statements Online – Most banks and credit card companies give you the option of getting your statements online only. You will reduce the amount of paper generated and mailed, saving not only trees but energy as well.

Pay Your Bills Online – Did you know if every household in the US did this, we’d save 18 million trees a year? That’s a staggering amount.

Get Rid of Junk Mail – Ecocycle has a great tutorial on stopping junk mail from coming to your home. You don’t really want all that junk in your mailbox, anyway, do you? Save a tree and stop the junk mail from clogging your mailbox.

Home Tips

Switch to Fluorescent Bulbs – Did you know if everyone in the US switched to fluorescent lighting, it would be the equivalent of having one million cars taken out of the picture?

Turn Off Your Computer at Night – You’ll save energy if you turn your computers off at night instead of just putting them to sleep.

Recycle – Yes, I know you’ve heard this about a million times, but there’s a reason for this. Did you know that glass takes a million years to degrade? Also, only about 27% of plastics are recycled – that’s a shameful number, in my opinion. Do your part, and keep plastic out of our landfills.

Don’t Run the Water – You’ll save about 4 gallons of water every time you turn the water off while brushing your teeth. If you run a sink of water to rinse dishes in before putting them in the dishwasher, you’ll save about double that.

Use Cold Water – When washing clothing, use cold or warm water instead of hot. There’s not a huge benefit in using hot water to wash clothing, but there’s an energy savings if you don’t.

These are only a few things that you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and lead a ‘green’ life. There’s nothing hard on this list and they don’t take a lot of effort; in fact, some of them actually make your life easier and save you money. Try going green for a month and see how simple it is. Do your part, and help save the Earth.

Earth Day 2011 is quickly approaching! Involving yourself in different activities on the holiday is a great way of going green. Here are three Earth Day activities for April 22nd.

On April 22, 1970, Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator, founded the first Earth Day in an attempt to bring about a better understanding of the affect we have on our planet, and calling us to take action to make positive environmental changes in our community.

1. Attend a recycling event. Recycling events are held throughout most communities in the US on Earth Day. There are some simple rules to recycling events you’ll want to know about. For a full explanation check out Earth Day 2011.

2. Play a green related game. If you have children Earth Day is a great way to educate them on the importance of going green. Scholastic has a big list of Earth Day games you and your children can enjoy.

3. Make a donation. If this is your first Earth Day it might be easier to simply make a donation to an Earth activist group. Donating will get money in the right hands so they can help protect our planet.

For a full rundown on everything related to Earth Day head over to Earth Day Network.

If you have any Earth Day pictures post them up on the Stock N’ Go Facebook wall. Leave a comment below to tell everyone how you plan on celebrating Earth Day.

~ Claire

(Image courtesy of Earth Day Network)

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