The math of going green: 5 ways

There are undeniable benefits of thinking green, going green, even wearing green. The most recent evidence is a research that says walking in the park (or even looking at pretty pictures) can help boost performance and fight stress. And since being environment-friendly is just a matter of making simple, smart choices, here are five easy ways to ‘up’ the green quotient in your lives, starting today. And since statistics hit home far more effectively than green evangelism, here’s the math: [caption id=“attachment_84197” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Replacing one incandescent bulb with CFL, helps keep 205 kg of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. AFP Photo”]  [/caption] 1. One CFL in place of one incandescent bulb = - 205 kg of carbon dioxide The Indian government plans to replace 400 million incandescent bulbs with CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) by 2012, saving 6,000 MW of energy annually. The (CFLs), while more expensive than incandescent bulbs, are more energy-efficient, help reduce electricity bill, burn eight times longer than normal ones, and help save up to 11 units of consumption. Further, replacing one incandescent bulb with CFL, helps keep 205 kg of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. 2. One recycled phone = four million cars off our roads Recycled mobile phones can help save 2,40,000 tonnes of raw material according to World Wildlife Fund, India. A few phone manufacturing companies, like Nokia, actually have Nokia Recycle Bins where you can drop off your old model and give life to a new one. Just remember that before you drop it off, you take out all your personal and professional data. Statistics and research say that if each of us recycled ‘one’ mobile phone, we would save as much energy and pollution as taking four million cars off our roads. Now we are talking! 3. Reuse. One cloth bag = 22,176 less plastic bags in an average lifetime Start by replacing paper napkins with cloth napkins. Replace your paper towels with your old t-shirts, and store the used ones in a small container in the kitchen. Just wash and reuse at a later date. Additionally, when you are shopping for the house, skip taking plastic bags whenever possible. A cloth bag saves 6 plastic bags a week; that is 24 bags a month; that is 288 bags a year; that is 22,176 bags in an average lifetime 4_. Vegetarianism = 18 percent less green house gases_ Great news for vegetarians, the United Nations had released a report a few years back, titled ‘Livestock’s Long Shadow — Environmental Issues and Options’. The livestock sector that includes cows, chickens and pigs had emerged as one of the top contributors to environmental pollution. Scientists believe that it is also one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases and responsible for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions as measured in carbon dioxide equivalents. 5. Hybrids reduce green house gas emissions by 30-50 percent Your driving technique has a lot to do with your fuel economy. For starters, aggressive acceleration and braking increases the fuel consumption of your car. Similarly, driving with your foot on the clutch can lead to wastage of engine power and increased fuel consumption which may wear out your clutch rapidly. Always make sure that you are never at a higher gear at a lower speed and at a lower speed at a higher gear. It’s critical that you shift gears as soon as possible without straining the engine. Unlike popular belief, your car consumes a lot more fuel if you go above 100km/hr than when you don’t go more than 8—90 km/h. What’s more, avoid taking your car out on a short trip, since every engine has an optimum running temperature, and very short distances will result in your car running at a cold temperature. Further, Hybrids reduce green house gas emissions by 30-50 percent and improve fuel economy 30-50 percent.