Think it takes too much effort or is too expensive to be Green while slaving away in class, writing papers, and living it up at school?

Don’t be so lazy! There are so many ways an individual can have a large effect on the environment and it can start by simply changing your lightbulb. It takes a lot less effort than you’d think!

A compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) is that funny-looking swirl that fits into a standard socket. It costs three to five times as much as a conventional incandescent bulb, yet uses one-quarter the electricity and lasts several years longer. There are many other ways you can contribute if you knew.

I believe Shipwreck said it best, after episode 39 of GI Joe, when he said,

“Knowing how to impact the environment is half the battle, following through on that knowledge is what will make a difference. ”

We haven’t really even begun to scratch the surface of conservation because many people don’t know what they can do to play their part in the Green Movement.

The other half of society thinks that being Green is some taboo activity for hippies and the state of Vermont. A lot of people don’t even realize what their affect on the environment is.

If you want to know what your “carbon footprint” (you know, what Al Gore is always talking about) is, check out this carbon and lifestyle calculator. Your score is calculated based on six categories: Home, energy, work, commute, travel and lifestyle. Each of these categories plays a significant role in the carbon emissions score.

Knowing what your day to day impact on the environment is could make all the difference, and this calculator lets you know just that.

A lifestyle change is going to have to come from our leadership. Leadership is crucial to regulating necessities and determining which poor habits should be sacrificed. Changing our lifestyles would be a huge adjustment, but is very do-able. I know it is easy to preach about caring and wanting to “be Green”, but actually sacrificing is the tough part and we are not there yet.

Take Senator Kennedy from Massachusetts for example. Senator Kennedy was against a wind energy proposal that could have provided three-fourths of the Cape and Islands’ energy. Sounds great right? But sadly it would obstruct the Senator’s view from his shore-front mansion.

The turbines would have been 8-12 miles out to sea, but if our leadership won’t even sacrifice a view how can we expect them to support efforts to save the planet.

Actions speak louder than words, so if our leadership and Government Officials are not stressing the importance of alternative energy we need to continue stressing it for them. Everyone has the opportunity to contribute and to share their knowledge with others.

It is going to take a group effort and take one starting now to undo all the damage we have done to ourselves for so many years. I just fear the environment will have to get worse, before it gets better.

Let’s just hope Teddy doesn’t drive over too many bridges in the meantime.