Living Green

In this age of environmental concerns, many people started living green lifestyles as part of their contribution to mitigate climate change and preserve the planet’s natural resources.

Living green can mean different thing to different people. Some may choose to live in a house powered with renewable energy. Others may grow their own vegetable gardens or just buy local produce. Some people avoid cars and cycle to work. Living green to some people means recycling and buying second hand clothes and furniture, rationing water and in general consuming less.

The concept of living green is not necessarily new, even though it gained momentum from the 1960s onwards. The English writer Henry Salt (1851-1939) was a pioneer of sustainability whose work inspired people like Mahatma Gandhi. He was also involved in social reforms and vegetarianism in a time when few people even talked about it. The English Romantics of the late 18th century also believed in a return to nature and put their beliefs into practice through their diets and way of living.

Living green does not necessarily mean living an ascetic life. With the expansion of green consumer goods, it is possible to adapt existing life styles to a more environmentally-friendly way of going about the business of daily life. Choosing green products, buying organic food, avoiding livestock derivatives and composting waste are simple measures that can have a significant impact and decrease the pressure on our stressed resources and eco systems. The point is that everyone can do something for the environment within their limitations. Everyone can introduce at least one green deed into their routine to make a positive contribution towards the preservation of the planet.