• Going green helps save money and protects the environment.forest image by AnVer from Fotolia.com
  
  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "America is shifting to a 'green culture' where all 300 million citizens are embracing the fact that environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility." Indeed, we see that shift happening in communities across the United States in the form of Energy Star and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified construction, recycling programs and environmental education. For the average person or business, going green not only preserves our most precious resources, it also saves money.
  
  

Going Green Helps Wean the U.S. Off of Foreign Sources of Oil

• According to the U.S. Energy Information Association, in 2008 the U.S. imported 57 percent of its oil and petroleum products, mostly from Canada and Saudi Arabia. However, "about 20% of our imports of crude oil and petroleum products came from Persian Gulf countries." Going green by purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles, using electric landscaping tools rather than gas ones and combining car trips helps to wean us off foreign oil.
  
  

Going Green Stems the Advance of Global Warming

• Burning fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, the primary culprit of global warming. However, methane gas is equally harmful to the environment and is released from the melting of glaciers, animal manure and seabeds (e.g., the Gulf oil spill disaster of 2010). One organization is helping to stem the tide---Central Vermont Public Service. The utility's Cow Power program converts methane gas from cattle into usable electricity.
  
  

Going Green Saves Electricity

• Homeowners can take advantage of electricity-saving practices in their homes. For example, buying Energy Star appliances and replacing old incandescent lighting with CFL bulbs will save electricity and put more money in your pocket. Replacing a 60-watt refrigerator light bulb with a 2-watt LED appliance bulb will immediately save money and electricity.
  
  

Going Green Cleans the Air

• Driving an ultra-low emissions vehicle (ULEV) helps keep the air clean. Be sure to keep up to date with your annual state-mandated car inspections and oil changes.
  
  

Going Green Helps Gardens Grow

• Go green by composting yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings and kitchen scraps. Composting produces a rich, highly nutritious soil called humus that you can add to your garden while reducing waste sent to the landfill. Numerous types of composting devices are on the market today, including indoor, outdoor, barrels and rotating drums.
  
  

Going Green Provides a Marketing Niche for Companies

• If you've ever seen oil company commercials, you may have noticed the emphasis they place on protecting the environment. This is a strategic move because they have recognized the value of appearing as if they care for the planet, which results in a more positive response from the public and hence more sales.
  
  

Going Green Stems Noise Pollution

• We often consider going green as reducing airborne pollution. However, green also means a reduction in noise pollution. For example, solar power produces electricity quietly and passively compared to the noise of electric generators. The new generation of eco-friendly electric cars produces no noise whatsoever. And one day, you will not hear the roar of airplanes crossing over the sky as noisy engines will be replaced by quieter, more fuel-efficient ones.
  
  

Going Green Protects Landfills

• The battery is the most common producer of energy for electronic devices in the home. Remote controls, mobile phones, portable DVD players, laptops and many other things run on batteries. Go green by purchasing rechargeable batteries rather than alkaline ones. Rechargeable batteries last a long time and help protect landfills from harmful chemicals.
  
  

Going Green Preserves Water

• Businesses have seen the value of water recycling and reuse. For example, Patt Lobb Toyota in McKinney, Texas, the first LEED-certified auto dealership in the nation, employs a rainwater collection and reuse system that saves the dealerership a substantial amount of money per year. Other automotive related businesses including car washes and auto shops have followed suit. Homeowners can take advantage of rainwater collection systems and reuse the collected water for landscaping.
  
  

Going Green Saves Money

• Bottom line, to go green is to save money. Caring for the protection of the earth is a worthy cause, but reducing personal and/or business expenses is the true motivator that encourages people to go green. If others could visualize the amount of money saved by taking small measures such as replacing old incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving CFL or even LED bulbs, driving a hybrid or plug-in electric car or purchasing an automatic thermostat, they likely would jump at the opportunity to put more cash in their collective wallets.