The moment we wake, we make an impact on our environment with everything we do.

Well, everyday we face choices that either help or harm this planet. When you get out of bed, you already begin to leave your environmental footprint. 

Too many people just see global warming as the glaciers melting and the oceans rising, but there is so much more to it than that.

Global warming is the increase in the earth's temperature caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Burning fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas produces CO2 and other gases, which contributes to the greenhouse effect that is heating of the atmosphere, therefore warming the Earth. 

Increase of greenhouse gases has many negative side effects: heat waves, sea levels rising, glaciers melting, heavy snowfalls, flooding, heavier storms, droughts and fires which is known as climate change. 

Many people are confused of how severe winter storms could be connected to global warming. Heavy snowfall requires moist air. Colder air is denser than warm air.  Moist air results from warm conditions that evaporate water from the ocean or large lakes. When this air travels over land and meets colder air, the moisture will freeze and fall as snow. If the air over the ocean or large lakes becomes warmer, it will hold more moisture and the snowfall will increase.

There are small actions that we can all take in order to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions like reducing electricity use around the house. The average home contributes more to global warming than the average car. If we switch to energy-efficient lighting, or reduce energy needed for heating or cooling, we will make a change in emissions.

Some people claim to respect our planet, but they toss cigarette butts out of car windows, drop trash in the park, pour solvent down their drain, and many other actions that harm our environment.

Even your basic needs in our homes are dependent on fossil fuels. Your water, food, and fuel for heating and cooking likely travel hundreds, if not thousands of miles to your home.

Use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which is gas used to propel liquid in aerosol cans which causes a hole in the ozone layer, UV rays can penetrate the earth and goes straight onto our skins, causing skin cancer.  I personally know about hole in ozone in layers as I spent time in NZ and during summer when outside, you can feel like bacon in a frying pan.  Nz didn’t used to feel like that, it was more like Georgia, now its Like mixing dry heat of Arizona with twice as much humidity of Georgia,

We are losing millions of acres of rainforests each year.  When they make products using wood in the factories, this emits hundred of millions of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere and if the product like papers are not recycled, this can harm the environment too.

Driving less than needed or buying a fuel-efficient car will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Many small changes will someday lead to a bigger change. Recycling whenever possible greatly reduces the energy needed to create new products. Whether it is aluminum cans, magazines, cardboard, or glass, finding the nearest recycling center will aid in the fight against global warming.

Do you choose to treat our planet with respect or do you help to "trash it"?

 

 

Buying products and services that don't harm the environment is one of the most powerful choices a consumer can make.  In actual fact changing your everyday household products is no more expensive than current products on the market, the most difficult part is not knowing where to buy then all in one place, which is why Going Green Services has launched its online shopping site.

Energy saving light bulbs may cost more initially but they last a lot longer and will save on your energy bill.  Buying water saving devices for your bathroom and kitchen are also cost affective, Going Green Services will be adding these products to our site to purchase soon.

You can also change to a greener lifestyle without spending any money, for example turning lights out when not in that room, unplug appliances when not in use.  These both will save on your electricity bill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There are many websites that also have home remedies that can help you save money.

How long does it take for our trash to break down?

 

Indicative lengths of biodegradation:

Paper, 2 – 5 months

Cigarette, 1 – 12 years
Plastic bags, 10 – 20 years             

Styrofoam cups, 1 – 100 years
Plastic holder rings, 450 years        

Aluminum cans 200 - 500 years
Plastic Bottles 70 - 450 years          

Diapers, 500 - 800 years