GHER strives to help you create a green new world. We try to make living in an environmentally aware way personal, practical, and positive. Intended for general consumers, We show people how to make small changes that add up to big benefits for their wallets, for their health, and, of course, for the health of the planet. Not political or activist, GreeNeWorld offers simple, useful ideas broken down into achievable steps that make going green a gradual and affordable process rather than an all-or-nothing plunge.

By educating people about how they can make environmentally conscience choices in their daily lives, we hope to improve their health and the health of our Earth.
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Why Go Green

You've likely noticed that "going green" is everywhere these days--in the news, politics, technology, and even fashion. You can hardly escape it from most angles of your life. But, what's the real point of going green, and is it worth the trouble? We probably all have a general idea that going green helps the environment and saves resources and rainforests. But embracing a greener lifestyle isn't just about helping to preserve rain forests; it is also about improving your health, saving you money, and ultimately, improving your overall quality of life.

You've likely noticed that "going green" is everywhere these days--in the news, politics, technology, and even fashion. You can hardly escape it from most angles of your life. But, what's the real point of going green, and is it worth the trouble? We probably all have a general idea that going green helps the environment and saves resources and rainforests. But embracing a greener lifestyle isn't just about helping to preserve rain forests; it is also about improving your health, saving you money, and ultimately, improving your overall quality of life.

You've likely noticed that "going green" is everywhere these days--in the news, politics, technology, and even fashion. You can hardly escape it from most angles of your life. But, what's the real point of going green, and is it worth the trouble? We probably all have a general idea that going green helps the environment and saves resources and rainforests. But embracing a greener lifestyle isn't just about helping to preserve rain forests; it is also about improving your health, saving you money, and ultimately, improving your overall quality of life.

 

You've likely noticed that "going green" is everywhere these days--in the news, politics, technology, and even fashion. You can hardly escape it from most angles of your life. But, what's the real point of going green, and is it worth the trouble? We probably all have a general idea that going green helps the environment and saves resources and rainforests. But embracing a greener lifestyle isn't just about helping to preserve rain forests; it is also about improving your health, saving you money, and ultimately, improving your overall quality of life.

 

While it's easy to get overwhelmed with the stream of "go green" information everywhere, it's also easy to begin making a positive impact. As globalization decreases the size of the planet in terms of contact, communication, and interaction with people around the world, it becomes increasingly easy to see how the lives of people, animals, plants, and ecosystems everywhere are closely tied to one another. So, pesticides used in Bolivia can affect the health of people in the U.S., toys made in China can affect the quality of life in Europe and greenhouse gas emissions from Australia can affect a thinning rainforest in Brazil.

The truth is, everything we do, every day, good or bad, has an impact on the planet.

The good news is that you have the power to control most of your choices at the individual level and, therefore, the control the global impact you create:

• Where you live
• What you buy, eat, and use
• Where and how you vacation
• How you shop or vote

For example, did you know that 25% of all Western pharmaceuticals are derived from plants that come from the Amazon rainforest? As it turns out, less than one percent of these tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists. These numbers suggest that we all have a large personal stake in the health and vitality of places far and near and that this stake is growing. It benefits everyone on the planet to help keep our wild spaces alive and growing.

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Green at Home

A greener home is the first place to begin making small changes to help the environment and create a healthier and more enjoyable place to live. Here are 10 simple steps to green up your life and change the planet.

A greener home is the first place to begin making small changes to help the environment and create a healthier and more enjoyable place to live. Here are 10 simple steps to green up your life and change the planet.

1. Buy Only What You Need

Plain and simple-don't over purchase. However, when buying items that you use daily or in large quantities, consider buying in bulk. You will save money and packaging. Consider splitting bulk purchases with friends to get that savings but not the full quantity of the purchase. Sometimes we can't always use 50 rolls of paper towels.

2. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!

Recycle, reuse, and properly dispose of all materials. Everything from plastic bags to construction materials. But, recycling is not just limited to the cans, glass, and paper we go though everyday. If you're upgrading your house, don't forget to look for recycling and reuse programs for your household items, such as windows, doors, tile, etc

Don't forget the last step in the recycling loop: buy recycled! In order for recycling to be sustainable, we need to purchase and use recycled-content materials. Look for and purchase post-consumer recycled content packaging and products whenever possible.

3. Upgrade Your Light Bulbs

When your incandescent light bulbs burn out, replace them with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) CFLs use 2/3 less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs and last 10 times longer. Making this upgrade saves you money and saves energy.

4. Use Your Own Bags

Plastic bags are doing serious damage to our oceans and wildlife, as well as just making an eyesore on our streets. Many communities around the country are actually banning the use of plastic bags because of litter problems. When going to the store, consider bagging your own groceries in cloth, reusable bags. Many stores sell reusable bags and charge to provide plastic grocery bags.

5. Keep Your Gadgets Green

Electronics become outdated very quickly. To insure you are responsible with your gadgets, practice the following:

• Resist the urge to upgrade every time a "newer" or "cooler" gadget comes out. Reduce at the source-you save money and the time (and frustration) to learn how to operate and program the new gadget!
• Donate working electronics to charities or school programs that resell or refurbish them.
• Refill or recycle your inkjet or toner cartridges
• Close the recycling loop and buy recycled, post-consumer content paper for your printer. Most local office supply stores, such as Staples, offer a growing selection of environmentally friendly papers.

6. Conserve Every Drop

Despite the fact that 70% of the world is covered by water, you should conserve all that you can. Turn off the water faucet when brushing your teeth and shaving. Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full; avoid small, partial loads. Cleaning your driveway or sidewalk by hosing it down with water wastes at least 80 gallons of water every time; Use a broom instead.

7. Adjust Your Thermostat

A few degrees difference in temperature can make all the difference in both your energy savings and your financial savings. In the summer, raise your thermostat two degrees. In the winter, lower your thermostat two degrees. You'll not likely notice the difference in temperature, but you'll sure notice the benefit when your utility bill arrives! Use a ceiling fan to cool off a room or house. It consumes about the same amount of energy as a 60-watt bulb (about 98% less energy than most air conditioners).

8. Keep the Air Clean

Carpool, ride the bus, use public transportation, or bike to work. Better yet, see if your company can institute a telecommuting program (if it does not already have one). Save fuel and time by planning ahead and consolidating errands into one trip. Also, go to certain, far away stores less frequently.

Keep your tires inflated to the appropriate air pressure level to extend the life of your tires and give you better gas mileage. Drive the speed limit.

9. Save the Trees

Pay your bills online, saving paper, time, and postage. As the price of paper cards and postage increases, consider emailing e-cards instead of mailing them out. Email documents and information instead of printing and mailing them. Whenever possible, save documents on your computer or on a disk instead of as a print copy in your filing cabinet.

10. Overall Around the Home

Clotheslines are making a comeback. Dry your clothes on the line instead of in the dryer; they'll smell better and you'll save money. Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins; they can be used repeatedly and thrown in with your weekly load of towels. Make your own less-toxic cleaning alternatives using baking soda, soap, and vinegar. Open the doors and windows to let the fresh air in and germs and smells out. Indoor air quality is often times worse than the air outside.

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Green at Work

A greener workplace means a lighter ecological footprint, a healthier and more productive place to work, and good news for the bottom line. Whether you're the boss or the coworker, whether your office is green already or still not quite aware, there are some practical steps you can take to help create a healthy, low-impact workspace. Here are 10 recommendations to creating a green workplace.

1. More Work, Less Energy

If, like many people, a computer is your central tool at work, optimizing the energy settings for your computer and other devices can be a major energy saver. Also, make sure to shut it down when you leave for the day (not just putting it in sleep mode). Plug hardware into a power strip with an on/off switch, and turn off all items at once (make sure to power down inkjet printers before killing the power-they need to seal their cartridges). Printers, scanners, and other peripherals that are only used occasionally can be unplugged until they're needed. And of course, turn off lights in spaces that are unoccupied.

2. Digitize

Even in the digital age, we still consume enormous amounts of paper, too much of which gets used once and then tossed or recycled. The greenest paper is no paper at all, so keep things digital whenever possible. The more you do online, the less you need paper. Keep files on computers instead of in file cabinets (this also makes it easier to make offsite backup copies or take them with you when you move to a new office). Review documents onscreen rather than printing them out. Send emails instead of paper letters.

3. Conserving Paper

When buying printer paper, look for recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer content and the minimum of chlorine bleaching. Even recycled paper gobbles up a great deal of energy, water, and chemical resources in its processing. When using the real stuff, print on both sides of the page when appropriate and use misprints as notepaper.

4. Telecommute

Instant messaging, video conferencing, and other innovative workflow tools make effective telecommuting a reality. If your employer allows you to telecommute (even some of the time), hold phone conferences, take online classes, or otherwise work from home. If your employer does not have telecommuting programs, discuss and work with them to initiate one. Also, consider the possibility of working four ten-hour days instead of five eight-hour days (a compressed work-week), this change cuts the energy and time spent on commuting by 20% and giving you some lovely three-day weekends.

5. Commute Wisely

If you do have to go to the workplace, ease some of this strain of fuel usage and carbon emissions by carpooling, taking public transit, biking, walking, or a creative combination any of these. If there's no good way to phase out your car, consider getting a hybrid, electric vehicle, motorcycle, or scooter or at least a car with an extremely high fuel efficiency rating.

6. Green Your Wardrobe

You might be amazed how sharp work clothes from thrift stores can look. If you buy new, get clothes made with organic or recycled fibers. Avoid clothes that need to be dry-cleaned, and if they so demand it, seek out your local green dry cleaner.

7. Use Green Materials

Some paper use can't be avoided, so use recycled paper and envelopes that have been processed and colored using eco-friendly methods. Pens and pencils can also be made of recycled materials, and refillable pens and markers are preferable to disposable ones.

8. Redesign the Workspace

Greening the space in which you work has ample possibilities. Start with good furniture, good lighting, and good air. Furniture can be manufactured from recycled materials as well as recyclable. Not only is natural daylight a free source of lighting for the office, it has been proven to improve worker productivity and satisfaction and even boost sales in retail settings.

9. Lunch Time

Bring your lunch to work in a reusable container; likely the greenest (and healthiest) way to eat at work. Getting food delivered or going for takeout inevitably ends with a surplus of packaging waste. However, if you do order delivery, join coworkers in placing a large order, which is generally far more efficient than many separate ones. Also, bring in a reusable plate and utensils.

10. Get Others Aware and Involved

Share these tips with your coworkers. Arrange an office carpool or group bike commute. If necessary, trade shifts and job duties so that you can work four long days instead of five short ones. Make sure everyone has a small recycling bin so that recycling is just as easy as throwing recyclable materials in the trash. Ask everyone to bring in a mug or glass from home and keep some handy for visitors so that you reduce or eliminate use of paper cups.