Digitizing many different aspects of your life is an excellent step towards green living and minimizing your impact on the environment.
Much of negative consumers create is in general attributable to two main factors:
A huge number of the products we use every day are now available in a digital format, and while switching to some of them might be a big change it is ultimately the cheapest, simplest and most environmentally friendly route.
To get you started on making the digital changeover I've compiled a list of several easy, quick digital alternatives you can consider incorporating into your life.
Paperless Billing If you haven't heard of paperless billing yet, all it means is you consent to receive an electronic notification for your bill, via email, rather than a physical one through via snail mail.
This is so easy I'm amazed to learn that people still haven't made the switch.
Almost all major companies, banks, credit providers and other providers of service offer this option, which is free and convenient to you, reduces clutter and cuts back on paper production and deforestation.
Digital Newspapers and Books There is an enormous amount of paper used in the production of books and daily newspapers.
Almost all major newspapers now offer an online edition of their daily release that is high resolution, accessible anywhere and is actually more comprehensive than the physical version, because it can easily include relevant links to additional information.
Many people complain that it's not the same reading their newspaper in front of a computer screen, which is true enough.
The time has come for us to think long and hard about our creature comforts and the long-term impact they have on the sustainability of this planet as a whole.
I think a safe, clean, healthy environment for your children's children is a little more important than the "look and feel" you're so accustomed to.
For added convenience, digital eReader such as the Amazon Kindle have versions which are designed to accommodate the newspaper format, are conveniently handheld and even maintain the look of traditional newsprint.
These devices can instantly download dozens of the most popular daily newspapers from anywhere in the world.
eReaders are also great for books, the digitization of which is a new trend.
Digital books save enormously on paper and production costs and energy as well, but if you're reluctant to give them up too at least make the decision to shop for them used.
Digital Music The advent of iTunes has changed the way the music industry works.
Rather than purchasing dozens or hundreds of costly CDs, which clutter both your home and the landfills where they eventually end up, it's now possible to instantly download your favorite music for a fraction of the cost and take it with you everywhere you go.
Instead of expensive and elaborate home sound system, all you need anymore is an iPod and a simple set of speakers.
iPods offer an unparalleled interface for music categorization and playback, are relatively inexpensive and extremely portable.
The benefits here are double: and all around more efficient music system for you and significant reduction of environmental impact.
These are just three straightforward ways to green up your lifestyle with the added benefits of simplification and organization.
While it may have less of a sensory appeal, digital is simply more efficient, and hopefully you will make the right choice when it comes to a few personal sacrifices for the sake of the planet.
This article is part of an ongoing series of articles titled "Baby Steps to Going Green" which lists a variety of similarly easy and effective ways to make the move towards green living with minimal upset to your current lifestyle.
Much of negative consumers create is in general attributable to two main factors:
- Buying products new, which supports the energy costs required to manufacture them.
- Waste, which is directly proportional to the amount of goods and things in general that you have.
A huge number of the products we use every day are now available in a digital format, and while switching to some of them might be a big change it is ultimately the cheapest, simplest and most environmentally friendly route.
To get you started on making the digital changeover I've compiled a list of several easy, quick digital alternatives you can consider incorporating into your life.
Paperless Billing If you haven't heard of paperless billing yet, all it means is you consent to receive an electronic notification for your bill, via email, rather than a physical one through via snail mail.
This is so easy I'm amazed to learn that people still haven't made the switch.
Almost all major companies, banks, credit providers and other providers of service offer this option, which is free and convenient to you, reduces clutter and cuts back on paper production and deforestation.
Digital Newspapers and Books There is an enormous amount of paper used in the production of books and daily newspapers.
Almost all major newspapers now offer an online edition of their daily release that is high resolution, accessible anywhere and is actually more comprehensive than the physical version, because it can easily include relevant links to additional information.
Many people complain that it's not the same reading their newspaper in front of a computer screen, which is true enough.
The time has come for us to think long and hard about our creature comforts and the long-term impact they have on the sustainability of this planet as a whole.
I think a safe, clean, healthy environment for your children's children is a little more important than the "look and feel" you're so accustomed to.
For added convenience, digital eReader such as the Amazon Kindle have versions which are designed to accommodate the newspaper format, are conveniently handheld and even maintain the look of traditional newsprint.
These devices can instantly download dozens of the most popular daily newspapers from anywhere in the world.
eReaders are also great for books, the digitization of which is a new trend.
Digital books save enormously on paper and production costs and energy as well, but if you're reluctant to give them up too at least make the decision to shop for them used.
Digital Music The advent of iTunes has changed the way the music industry works.
Rather than purchasing dozens or hundreds of costly CDs, which clutter both your home and the landfills where they eventually end up, it's now possible to instantly download your favorite music for a fraction of the cost and take it with you everywhere you go.
Instead of expensive and elaborate home sound system, all you need anymore is an iPod and a simple set of speakers.
iPods offer an unparalleled interface for music categorization and playback, are relatively inexpensive and extremely portable.
The benefits here are double: and all around more efficient music system for you and significant reduction of environmental impact.
These are just three straightforward ways to green up your lifestyle with the added benefits of simplification and organization.
While it may have less of a sensory appeal, digital is simply more efficient, and hopefully you will make the right choice when it comes to a few personal sacrifices for the sake of the planet.
This article is part of an ongoing series of articles titled "Baby Steps to Going Green" which lists a variety of similarly easy and effective ways to make the move towards green living with minimal upset to your current lifestyle.
Source...