31 March 2009
Green is no longer the colour of hippies, hairy armpits and herbal tea. Green is for everyone. Green is beautiful. And I promise you: by going green you will save money.
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Save your energy
This is not just about cutting your energy use and using lower-wattage light bulbs, it is also about investing in good insulation, solar panels, a rainwater tank (if you have room for one), and a composting system for the garden. Visit state government websites to find out about rebates for installing some of these devices. Always buy whitegoods that have a high energy efficiency rating, even if they are a little more expensive. They will save you money in the long run by cutting down on your energy bills. Energy-efficient appliances will pay for themselves within a year, and by using less energy you will be helping the environment as well as reducing your bills.
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Buy less stuff
Every time we buy something new there is an environmental impact. The production of food, clothes, cars and other goods uses up a lot of water and often places stress on the environment by injecting carbon and other pollutants into the atmosphere. These goods usually have to be shipped somewhere else to be sold, which then uses fuel and expels more carbon. An example of a product’s environmental ‘footprint’: a single cotton t-shirt is estimated to require 2,500 litres of water to produce. While the government and retailers are concerned that consumers are buying less, I am confident that the economy will adapt to survive the downturn. Consumers will modify their spending habits, and instead of spending money on lots of cheap items that fall apart quickly and cost a huge amount in terms of environmental damage due to hyper-production, we will choose to spend our money on a few quality items that last a long time.
The damage we cause to the environment now will be very expensive to fix in the future. By cutting down on the amount of stuff you buy, and by choosing very carefully what quality items you spend your money on, you will be helping your wallet and the environment at the same time. I know personally that there are a lot of things I have bought over the years that I really wouldn’t miss if I didn’t have them… especially that ridiculous gold lamé French-cut bodysuit that makes me look like a fat gym instructor at a Grade 6 disco.
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Grow your own
If you’re not happy with the quality of fruit and veg at your supermarket, and (like me) you’re astonished at how much this below-par produce costs you each week, consider growing your own. You don’t need a big backyard or any backyard at all to do this – baby tomatoes, basil, mint and sprouts only need a few pots on the windowsill to grow. Or find out where your nearest community garden is and get involved. If you are lucky enough to have a house with a backyard, consider the long-term benefits of lemon trees, and vegetables such as zucchini, carrot and cucumber. The vegies taste so much better, save you money and do the environment a small favour.
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Love your bicycle
I know this is a sensitive issue. I know people love their cars. But do we really need to drive them every day? If you can replace regular car trips with public transport or get on your bike instead, you will save a lot of money in the long term and cut down on your environmental footprint. See below for:
Bike vs. Car, or why bikes are awesome
Bike: Small initial outlay (in the hundreds of dollars) Car: Large initial outlay (in the thousands)
Bike: No registration or licensing fees Car: Large, ongoing registration and licensing fees
Bike: No petrol Car: High cost of petrol
Bike: Makes you fit Car: Makes you fat
Bike: Cheap to service Car: Expensive to service
Bike: No environmental damage Car: Significant environmental damage
The only real drawback to bikes is the danger of cars driving in to you (and bikes are not much use when you’re trying to move house). But even if you take the odd taxi or use public transport, overall the costs of running a bike pale in comparison with the costs of running a car.
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It’s always better the second time around
Buying second-hand is beautiful in so many ways:
1. You will still get what you want
2. You will pay less for it
3. You will not have supported the production of something new; therefore, you will not have placed extra stress on the environment.
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