Table of Contents

1: The Sustainable Living Basics              2

2: Why Choose a Sustainable Lifestyle?              6

3: Getting Started with Your First Garden              9

4: From Chickens to Cows              19

5: Producing and Conserving Energy in Your Home              26

6: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle              35

7: Getting Rid of Toxic Waste              42

8: Get Your Children On Board              44

9: Minor Choices Go a Long Way              46

10: Make a Plan and Get Started              48

1: The Sustainable Living Basics

You can barely watch a news broadcast or read a newspaper without picking up reports about the threats that face our planet.  Increasing industrialization and careless administration of our planet’s reserves has left us with not only pollution and toxic waste, but also dramatic climate change.

How can we prevent the spiraling disaster that is threatening our existence on Earth?  Many people are turning to sustainable living as the answer to improving the wellbeing of our planet.  Yet, it appears to many as if sustainable living is beyond their reach.

Ease into working toward sustainability.  The first step would be to become familiar with what sustainable living really implies.  In this section, we’ll provide an outline of sustainable living in order for you to get a better idea about the lifestyle.

In upcoming sections, you will find detailed aspects of sustainable living and I will tell you how to apply them to your way of life.  Get to know the basics before you make a decision about what suits you.

A Philosophy for Life

Forget the idea that sustainable living is a set of “rules” that you should follow.  More accurately, it influences the way you think about the life choices you make.  People who prefer sustainable living are frequently worried about a number of topics including:

       Environmental contaminants

       The demise of organic reserves

       Having money to set aside or save

       Leaving something behind for the next generation

       Compassionate handling of animals

       Food that is free from insect killers

       Eating organic foods and shunning chemical substances in anything they eat

       Reducing landfills and the size thereof

       Water that is fresh and unpolluted

       Decreasing reliance on industry and manufactured goods

       Reducing their harmful influence on the environment

It is a fact that you cannot live without having an impact on the environment, but it is also true that by following sustainable living practices, you will be able to reduce the footprint that you leave for the next generation and those following.

Many advantages of a sustainable lifestyle can be experienced way ahead of the end of your life on Earth.  Two areas that will surely be affected by adhering to this philosophy are your present health and contentedness. You will find that numerous parts of this lifestyle can actually be relevant to you.

Improved Health

Most people who adhere to the sustainable living philosophy frequently find that their health has improved after removing additional contaminants and highly processed foods from their lives.  In the second section, you will find more information about this option that can lead to an extended and healthier life.

Food Production

Those who follow a sustainable lifestyle frequently produce certain, if not all, the food they eat.  It involves both the planting of an edible garden and the keeping of livestock as the advantage of producing your own food is that you can determine the quality of your meals.

In Sections 3 and 4 the production of your own food takes center stage.  It focuses not only on small gardens, but also on larger pieces of land such as small-holdings or farms and includes guidelines for your existing situation as well as goals to change your lifestyle.

Eliminating Waste

An essential element of a sustainable lifestyle centers on the way we manage waste.  The idea is to recycle all your garbage in order to avoid the creation of more landfills. If you have sustainable living habits, you’ll see the reuse and recycling potential of many of your belongings, thereby greatly reducing your waste.

Your energy usage is included here too.  There are numerous easy ways in which you can lessen energy use and decrease waste.  These methods are featured in Section 5.

Clever Use of Resources

It is imperative to make use of materials that are renewable.  Sustainable living always focuses on the use of materials that can be renewed. It is true that certain raw materials cannot be replaced once used, but numerous materials that are renewable and of which unlimited sources exist are available.

Doing Away with Dangerous Substances

When you follow a sustainable lifestyle, you should certainly decrease the number of dangerous substances you use.  You will find just as many environmentally friendly products as hazardous products on the market. The latter is neither beneficial to you or the planet.

Choosing to live sustainably, almost always includes a serious look at your chemical use. A few changes will need to be made, but it is far easier than you might expect; all without conceding an inch to dirt.

How to make Sustainable Living Viable

A sustainable lifestyle is being adopted by many people. Some of its followers are making extreme changes. You may even be one of those people who wish to go all the way towards making a complete lifestyle change.

On the other hand, there are lots of people who find it easier to move gently from their old lifestyle with small, manageable changes.  It does not matter what you aspire to; you can certainly modify sustainable lifestyle methods to suit your lifestyle and your particular requirements.

Starting Your Journey

Get ready with a pen and paper as you read through the Sections of this book.  Write down those ideas that you find most attractive and would be an optimum fit to your lifestyle. You should remember that this lifestyle can be made to perform well at any level you choose.

2: Why Choose a Sustainable Lifestyle?

At this stage, you might question why people elect to live a sustainable lifestyle.  You might believe that you would have to change radically to include these practices in your lifestyle, but it makes good sense to choose this route for a variety of reasons.

Industry and Technology

During the last approximately 100 years, the world we know has faced dramatic changes. These have significantly influenced the health of our planet.  Technology has permitted us to do increasingly more at a tremendously rapid tempo.  The way we do things has changed greatly as a result of the industrial revolution and technological advances.

You will not find horses and plows on modern farms like a century ago. Instead, heavy machinery and corporate modeling have replaced the erstwhile family farm setup completely in most instances.

Unfortunately, chemical fertilizers and insect killers are used widely, while diesel is used extensively to drive the planting and harvesting equipment on farms.  The harvesting of produce is sometimes even observed via GPS systems, where yield technology plays a major role.

On top of that, numerous crops have been genetically modified to deliver an improved crop. Genetic modification can also make crops hardier to still thrive even with the use of herbicides for the control of weeds.  Some authorities in the field say that it does not present a problem for human health or the environment, but many dispute that statement.

Most people entertain no thoughts about how their food gets to the supermarket as they are simply used to finding it on a shelf. Yet, it’s vital for the maintenance of the planet’s reserves for us to take notice of how products are prepared and eventually transported.

Chemistry and Cleaning

It is true that there used to be a time when no chemicals existed for the cleaning of homes and offices. We do have a price to pay for the many chemicals that leave our homes smelling fresh and gorgeously clean.

Did you know that many of the chemicals we use daily for cleaning purposes are in fact pretty damaging to your body as well as the planet?  They leave a string of contaminants that are usually detrimental to sufferers of asthma, allergies, and a variety of respiratory problems.

Skin problems can also be caused by chemicals, as highly sensitive skins might be irritated by most commercially available soaps and cleaning agents. You should find that the problem could be improved by the use of products not containing dyes and perfumes.

Besides that, most chemicals in fact add to environmental pollution as they end up in our water supply and in the ground. Sustainable living practices can drastically reduce that problem as well as eliminate the health problems that are rooted in the use of chemicals.

A Financial Break

Despite the fact that you would have to spend some money in order to change your lifestyle, you would be happy to find that a sustainable lifestyle will in reality present you with major savings.  If you grow your own food and limit waste, you will be able to lighten the load on your budget.

There are many sustainable living solutions for cleaning, cutting down on energy waste, and recycling objects if you’re looking to reduce your spending. Frugal living might be the future for your escape from the excessive materialism that haunts modern society.

Being at Peace with Your Conscience

Sustainability is the choice of many as it results in tremendous peace of mind as they live with the knowledge that they have improved the prospects of the planet and their children, while also having enforced the ethical treatment of people and animals in the food production chain.

A sustainable lifestyle could be for you if you are inclined to feel that you should make choices that lead to the improvement of the health of the world.  The desire to bequeath ethical practices to your children and family goes a long way towards reaching your objective.

Living in Moderation

In our consumerist society, many people have the outlook that they should have everything money can buy as they find it hard not to desire the latest new device or item on offer. We’ve become notorious for being more anxious about we have than what we can give to others.

Are the Jones’s always a step ahead? Do you feel confident to embark on a simpler lifestyle? If your answer to both questions is a resounding “yes”, then you’re definitely set to progress towards a living sustainably. It doesn’t however mean that you should now move into a shack or start living in a commune.

All it implies is a shift in focus from accumulating possessions to ensuring that your needs are met. You end up cherishing your possessions greatly instead of taking it for granted like you would with an excessive lifestyle.

Easy Breathing

You do improve the quality of air when you add to the sustainability of the planet. People are suffering from asthma and allergies more than in any previous era, and it is therefore hardly a surprise to find that the global quality of our air is poorer than ever before.

You can improve the health of the atmosphere by planting trees, cultivating your own food, lowering your reliance on fossil fuels, and cutting down on energy usage. You will be able to breathe a little easier, but in the long run, you will be a contributor to the lowering of the effects of global warming.

Lead by Example

Being a social animal can have drawbacks for the human species. We tend to believe that one person cannot have much influence. Yet, the belief is very far from the truth as a chain reaction is easily started when you select to live a sustainable lifestyle.

Your neighbor might ask you, the expert gardener, to help him or her to start a garden when they see your crop of fresh and healthy vegetables. Otherwise, a pack of cyclists might join you every morning when you cycle to work.

One well-chosen option on your part will invariably lead to other good choices.  Your influence eventually multiplies, making its impact far greater than the solitary choice you made initially.  Individuals can affect change. Take a positive decision to be the one who starts it all.

Changing the Way you Live

You might continue to have this nagging feeling that sustainable living would require too many changes to your lifestyle. We have taken care of that nag by also addressing minor steps that will assist you in your quest to sustain the planet without over-extending your readiness to adapt.

3: Getting Started with Your First Garden

Why Produce Your Own Food?

It might sound outlandish to even imagine producing your own food when there’s a grocery store around every corner. Yet, it is the perfect way to dodge the numerous drawbacks of supermarket food.

Transportation Costs

Produce often travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to reach your local store, allowing you the luxury of foods that aren’t in season in your area at that time. Yet, long-distance transport can be very bad for our planet.

The transportation of food across the globe requires a massive amount of fossil fuels. Of course, vehicles are the source of a tremendous supply of greenhouse gasses that are suggested to lead to global warming by numerous scientists.  If you should decrease your reliance on produce from the supermarket, you’ll effectively reduce the use of nonrenewable fuel supplies.

Chemicals

You might not have known that there are many different chemicals used in the production of food found in supermarkets.  These substances include pest and weed killers, fertilizers and those that boost growth rate.  Chemicals and waxes are also used to enhance the way food looks so that consumers will be more tempted to buy it.

If it’s not labeled as organic, you might have no knowledge about the substances used in a product’s manufacturing process. Although organic produce is deemed to be healthier, it is often not within the financial means of most consumers.  It could also be that the standards for getting an “organic” label might be below the standards you set for a sustainable lifestyle.

The advantage of cultivating your own food is that you will have exact knowledge of soil types, fertilizers and pest control you are using. It will certainly go a long way in taking the speculation out of your attempts to find healthy foods for your family.

Earth will be a much healthier place in the future for your efforts, but most importantly; you would have stopped your family from consuming hazardous chemicals every time they eat.  We can certainly agree that the better way to go would be to eliminate dangerous chemicals from food production.

Cost

Cultivating your own food can save you money.  Most plants grow and thrive if they are planted in good, well fertilized soil and where they get enough sun. Add a little water and you are well on your way to growing your own food. A small capital outlay can provide you with a lot of fresh products as neither seeds nor seedlings are expensive.

The Fun Part

It could look like a lot of extra work, but cultivating your own food is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.  You will certainly have a lot of fun checking the plants for signs of growth, but the greatest reward is when you bring your first harvest home.

Cultivating your own produce presents the ideal opportunity for introducing your child to a larger variety of fruits and vegetables. It is simply a fact that they are more inclined to eat the vegetables and fruits they helped to plant and water.

Lifelong Exercise

Did you realize that you could get a workout by growing a garden? It is indeed an excellent form of physical exercise for everyone.  You might have your garden on a raised bed or in containers if your mobility is limited, but you are guaranteed of getting a lot more exercise than you expected.

Getting Started with Growing

If you’ve reached the point where you’re ready to establish your garden, you’ll have to take a decision about the method you’d prefer to use.  Much of your decision will be based on the size of your intended garden and the climate of your area.

There are a couple of choices you might decide on, but you can take a decision about that by the time you have a better understanding of the requirements for a garden. You’ll be well on your way to cultivating fresh and healthy food for your family regardless of what options you choose.

Container Gardening

Planning a container garden is almost certainly the easiest way of starting with gardening as it requires the minimum space. Apart from that, it will remove the necessity of tilling the ground and preparing soil for long hours.

Using this method, you’ll be growing your produce in pots and other suitable containers in spaces as small as patios and porches.  There are all kinds of foods that thrive in containers and they include:

       Herbs

       Tomatoes

       Pepper

       Beans

       Various Berries

       Many types of Onions

You will find other kinds of plants that were exclusively cultivated for growing in containers. Those adapt very well, so they could be the best option for you if your space is limited or if you’re new to gardening.

The supplies you need to get started are not that many:

       Large plant pots

       Soil – try to make your own with vermiculite, peat,  and compost or purchase ready mixed from your nursery

       Seeds and/or seedlings

       Supports for tomatoes and beans or other plants requiring support

       Hosepipe or watering can

       Gardener’s Gloves

       Gardening tools – fortunately you can select the small variety!

Make sure that the containers are positioned in the area where plants can get the most sun. You could think about buying grow lights if you don’t have a bright area. They do use extra electricity, but they also provide you with an opportunity to cultivate your own food when it might have been impossible without them.

Grow Boxes

There is an opportunity to garden without soil! Grow boxes, or hydroponic growing as it is called, could be a perfect option if you’d like a great harvest without the concern about soil conditions.

Grow boxes are available commercially for use both indoors and outdoors. It includes a special grow light and precise climate control.  You can grow virtually anything in a grow box just as long as you follow the instructions correctly.

Its disadvantage is that it is expensive, therefore most gardeners favor soil or existing containers over laying out hundreds of dollars to purchase grow boxes.  Should your budget be flexible enough to buy it, a grow box is an excellent way of growing your own produce.

Gardening by Feet

Should an outside garden be your preferred option while you are new at gardening and a bit reluctant about starting, the following plan is very easy to follow and usually highly  successful. Measure out a raised bed of four feet by four feet in your yard. Divide it into 16 sections with a grid like in the diagram below:

The soil-filled bed should be at a minimum 6 inches deep.  It is easy to prepare the base for your raised bed by spreading newspaper or weed control fabric (sold at hardware stores) at the bottom.  Simply build your grid with any kind of wood, brick, or other material that is non-toxic and fill it with soil. Try to repurpose materials for your grid and get double the satisfaction out of your project.

This method allows you to grow almost all kinds of plants, while keeping plants organized in their own sections of the grid.  An extra bonus is the ease of weed-control within this kind of layout.

Kits for this type of container gardening is sold commercially and it will make it easier for you to get started if you are not the D.I.Y kind of person. There are numerous books and websites on the topic of square foot gardening.

The method is an excellent way of getting started with gardening if you aspire to develop more than a container garden, but less than the traditional row garden due to space constraints.

Traditional Row Gardening

Traditional gardening is probably the ultimate way of growing your own food, but you’ll need a large enough, sunny area for your rows. You should remember that it takes a lot more time than any of the previous methods as the area will need to be tilled to loosen the soil.

Poor soil might require amending with the addition of organic material. Usually, the easiest way of adding compost, peat, or manure to the soil is by adding it when you till the soil, thereby getting all of it mixed properly.

Traditional row gardening requires both more space and bigger, heavy-duty tools. The advantage of this type of garden remains its ability to produce a lot more food for your family.

Deciding What to Plant

It is essential to plan ahead and to know which plants will be best-suited to your space.  You should take certain matters into consideration when you take a decision on your planting list.

Climate

The climate of your location is the most important consideration before starting to plant a garden. In the United States, it is easy as the different growing zones are well-known. Once you know in which zone you’re in, you can easily determine the most suitable plants to grow.

It becomes even easier if you look at seed packets and plant labels as they usually indicate the growing zones in which they thrive. It also includes the time of year most suited to its planting. Stick to that schedule and you cannot make a mistake.

Do speak to other growers in your area to find out whether there are other conditions that might play a role. It could be, for instance, that an especially long winter could postpone planting time until later in spring.

It remains the best option to obtain information from local gardeners about the best products for growth as well as discovering best planting times.  Experienced gardeners are usually very happy to share their tried and tested produce list and planting times, while it is good to refer to books and packages for overall guidelines.

Soil

The kind of soil in your garden will also confirm the crops that should grow well there.  Go to your local nursery with a soil sample to have it analyzed if you’re unsure about the type of soil you have.

The result of the analysis will be accompanied by information on the particular additions that need to be made to the soil in order for plants to thrive.  You could find that your soil is ready for growing, but in most instances you’ll have to bring back sufficient nutrients with the addition of organic material to garden successfully.

Sunlight

Most vegetables will only grow well in full sunlight.  Others can however grow in limited sun.  Ensure that you choose a spot for your garden that gets optimal sunlight.

It makes sense to select plants that can still thrive although they receive fewer hours of sun exposure if you do not have an area with full sun exposure. It makes it a bit more difficult, but it is not impossible to do, as long as you remember that plants like tomatoes and squash require full sun in order to grow.

Collect Information

Collect as many resources as you can before you actually get started with your garden.  You will find numerous great gardening books. You might even discover books on gardening in your region, so keep looking.

Online resources provide limitless information on message boards as gardeners share tips and tricks. You can ask questions and get great answers from experienced gardeners if you face a dilemma that your books do not answer.

Local agricultural agencies are good sources of information in your area.  They are situated in most counties and can give excellent information on gardening, while also providing directives about the particular local growing season.

Gardening classes might be an outstanding way of increasing your knowledge about the subject. Get your hands dirty with direct instruction by taking classes at local nurseries or botanical gardens.

In conclusion, discuss gardening with as many other gardeners.  Establish your gardening network of experienced gardeners who can assist you with particular questions and points of concern.  Gardeners share easily and you might even be able to set up a plant exchange with your new friends.

It is a great sustainable lifestyle idea to implement. If you plant tomatoes and your friend plants potatoes, it is easy to share the harvest, thereby not having to both grow all kinds of vegetables. It also makes sense to set up an exchange if your space does not allow you to grow the entire variety.

Consider Your Tastes

When you decide what to plant, spend some time to consider what you prefer to eat. If you know you will never eat cabbage, why spend a lot of time nurturing cabbage plants?

It could however be that you decide to try out some new things. It is true that certain vegetables just taste incredible because they are freshly picked. Remember to plant less while you’re trying out new flavors.

Doing away with Chemicals

The elimination of harmful chemicals from your garden should be paramount while you’re working on creating a sustainable lifestyle. It is far easier to accomplish now than a couple of years earlier as many companies have acted in response to the requests from gardeners wishing to grow organically.

Pest Control

Try other options besides poisons when you have pests in your garden, as the poisons will contaminate your food supply as it kills off the bugs.  It is guaranteed that you can have a bug-free garden without the addition of poisons.

There are in fact many plants that will prevent pests from establishing themselves in your garden. Marigolds are by far one of the best insect repellants that you can plant in your garden. Numerous herbs are well known insect-repellents too. You can find a large variety at your local nursery, so check with them about which ones are best.

You can create barriers to stop rodents from accessing your growing garden.  Rabbits are only kept out with a complete chicken wire fence, while taller “cages” around your plants usually keep squirrels out.

Electric fences are useful in keeping unwanted guests out and are usually designed to surprise visiting creatures instead of harming them.  It should be seen as a last resort, but it could become a requirement if squirrels are an extreme nuisance in your garden.

Plagues of grub worms or insects can be controlled by means of organic pest control.   BT (bacillus thuringiensis) is one of the kinds of bacteria that are available as a spray or powder. It can be found naturally in most soils around the world and is known as a microbial insecticide.

It efficiently kills insects but poses no threat to humans.  BT is the best natural way to get rid of pests in your garden.  Various other commercial formulas are available to free your garden of bugs while not bringing about damage to produce or humans.

Unwelcome pests can be deterred with the use of natural predators. Grow plants that attract ladybugs to your garden and you will see aphids rapidly disappearing from your plants. Ladybugs are known to be prolific aphid eaters! Keeping dogs or cats can also assist in getting rid of unwelcome rats and mice.

Not all intruders to your garden should be deemed as unwelcome.  Plants need insects to pollinate them and to decompose the soil they live in. Protect earthworms in your soil at all cost as they decompose organic matter and give back nutrients that promote plant growth.

As a general rule of thumb, we would suggest that you just leave insects alone, except when they are eating leaves or mowing down your crop before you’ve had the opportunity to benefit from it. A major ingredient of a sustainable lifestyle is finding out which organisms contribute to plant growth and which don’t.

Fertilization

Organic fertilizers do the same job as chemical fertilizers without harming your food. You will find a number of options in the organic sector.

Manure is superb at re-establishing nutrients in soil.  It can be bought at your local nursery or a local farm if you live in a rural area. Many farmers might sell manure at a discount or even give it away for free.

Another great way of fertilizing your soil is by composting.  You can either buy it at a nursery or create your very own compost pile by recycling organic waste from your kitchen or your garden.

Compost can be described as a combination of organic materials that are decomposed and which can then be used as a fertilizer.  Compost is rich in color and is an amazing supplement to soil.

Your question will be how to make a compost pile as you would immediately want one. It is very simple to do and you need to start off with some kind of container.  You can make your own from plywood or use wooden pallets that are tied together in some sort of fashion.  Size wise you can look at something of at least 4 by 4 feet.

It requires ventilation holes as well as an opening through which you can actually turn the materials.  Containers that are purposely designed for composting are available commercially. If your space is small, this can be a very viable option.

Suitable materials for your compost pile are:

       Dried leaves

       Vegetable and fruit waste

       Fruits and vegetables that are spoiled

       Egg shells

       Used grounded coffee

       Plant material

Never add any kind of animal product like meat or bones or even milk.  They will cause the development of harmful bacteria in your compost pile. Once you’ve mixed the materials you’ve added to your pile, you should add water as the compost pile needs moisture to decompose.

You will now need to turn the compost quite frequently to allow the materials to decompose at the same rate, but also to increase the speed of decomposition. Turn it daily for usable compost within weeks.

Keep a bucket or some other container in your kitchen to add suitable ingredients for your compost pile. Fortunately, composting is a live process that should never stop. You can add to it any time, as long as you turn it every time you add new materials to it.

As the biological processes of decomposing starts, the heat inside the compost pile will increase. Add some existing compost to get the good bacteria going in your new compost pile if it does not start to decompose initially.

You can also keep the soil you’re using fertilized by rotating crops as different crops might use different or fewer nutrients. Search for plants that complement each other such as tomatoes and carrots. One provides shade to the other, but different root systems get nutrients from different soil levels as well.

Do plant different crops in a particular spot. There are many guides on crop rotation that will ensure that you would get the most out of your gardening.  Crop rotation has been around for centuries and has sustained the land since the earliest times in both Europe and Asia.

Are You Ready for Gardening?

While you want to live sustainably, you might not feel like starting your own garden right now. It could be that space, climate or time could prevent you from taking that step. Yet, there are many other contributions you can make to both the health of the planet and your own.

Buy Local

The closer you buy your food to its source, the less fossil fuel is used for the transportation of your food. Buy produce locally from farmers or from farmer’s markets in order to support local business. A big bonus is that produce will taste much fresher than what you would be used to find in grocery stores.

Urban areas have their own farmer’s markets as more and more farmers are coming to town to sell their harvest. Some local supermarkets also sell local produce in their bid to support local farmers. Look for local labels in the veggie section and join the drive to back local farmers without having to travel any further than your own neighborhood.

Going Organic

Another option for sustainable living is to purchase organic products for your family.  It is true that these products are regularly not cheaper than their non-organic equivalents. In addition to that, you need to make sure that you are in fact purchasing organic by looking out for the USDA symbol for organic produce.

It will improve the quality of the food you are buying, but it could be that there are other factors in the organic method that is not as well regulated. In the end, you’d be best off when you buy from a local source.

Alas, organic foods mostly travel the same great distances to the supermarket as their non-organic counterparts; again requiring the vast use of fossil fuels. See organic as a last resort when you’re not able to buy locally-grown produce.

Join a Co-Op

Increasingly popular is the option of joining a farm co-op where you would usually buy a share of the crop.  You could either pay in advance or with monthly payments, but buying a share will provide you with a certain percentage of the harvest.

It usually ends up with you getting a variety of in-season vegetables and fruits that are ready for harvest monthly. It remains a great way to support the local farming industry regularly.

Apart from the benefit of fresh crops, you and your family might be required to assist by volunteering with the caring and harvesting of the crops. It is not as if you are then doing all the gardening yourself, but it does give you and your family an opportunity to take part in the food growing process.

It gives you the advantage of nurturing and caring for your food while not having to be troubled by the ultimate liability for the crops.  You might find it to be an excellent way of obtaining fresh and delicious food at a good price while including your family in the production of food.

The Intimacy of Food

Food is so commonly available that we don’t spend too much time thinking about what we eat. Yet, our relationship with food is one of the most intimate relationships you’d ever have as you share food with your body regularly.

Would you not want to make absolutely certain that the food you eat is safe and that it adds to sustainable procedures for our planet? While we have talked intensively about adding fruits and vegetables to our diets, we should investigate animal protein. In the next section, we’ll expand on the topic of sustainable livestock farming.

4: From Chickens to Cows

While a completely vegetarian diet is not the answer for many people, vegetarians or vegans might want to skip this section.  On the other hand, if you take pleasure in having animal products like milk, meat, and eggs, you should read on.

Issues with Livestock

A serious factor that is contributing to environmental problems is that animals aren’t raised and slaughtered in manners that are beneficial to the environment or the people eating them. You might feel shocked, should you know the truth behind the industry.

Ethical Animal Treatment

To the people who are raising their own livestock, it is all about ensuring that the animals they rely on as a food source are handled with respect.  It implies that they would live a natural life until the time they are slaughtered.

Ethical treatment of animals also entails ensuring that the slaughtering process is done as humanely as possible. While some vegetarians say that you cannot eat animals in a humane way, those who choose to eat meat should know that ethical practices exist.

Ethical treatment includes ensuring that animals have enough space to move around as it is essential to raising healthy animals. An appropriate diet is critical; likewise the freedom from abuse, which sadly is not the case at most of the major meat packers and poultry houses.

The result of treating animals in an ethical manner is the production of a healthier end-product. Livestock that are for instance fed a diet of corn have much higher traces of the E. coli bacteria in their systems. It leads to increasing food hazards, while those living off grass discard most of the hazards naturally

The natural way promotes livestock with fewer problems with bacteria while also supplying animals with lower body fat.  Likewise, chickens on a natural diet and who are permitted to move around turn out eggs with reduced concentrations of cholesterol and saturated fat.

Antibiotics

It is a fact that animals that are raised in enclosed areas such as chicken houses and feedlots face an increased risk of infection.  This may result in many being treated with antibiotics. We all know that what they ingest gets transferred directly to the consumer who is thereby exposed to unnecessary elevated levels of antibiotics.

Unfortunately, this can bring consumers to the edge of being drug resistant as an increasing number of bacteria are no longer affected by the antibiotics used in the treatment of infection.  Infections have to be fought with progressively stronger drugs to offset at least some of these effects.

The quest for animals that grow faster and larger to increase the yield from the animal has led to the addition of hormones to their food. When humans ingest hormones via their food, it can lead to serious problems with their own hormones.

Bad Food Handling

Bacterial epidemics are widespread as a result of the improper way in which animal products are often dealt with.  The security of your food is therefore frequently at risk due to the inferior circumstances in feedlots, chicken houses, and meat processing plants.

You might be surprised to know that the concentration of bacteria found in the food that you buy from the supermarket far exceeds concentrations that exist in animal products that are sustainably raised. If you are in control of the way your food is processed, you can reduce infections and the problems associated with it.

Environmental Issues

Increased meat consumption is also causing an environment dilemma.  While meat consumption is at a peak worldwide, methane gas emissions from digestion from both cattle and pigs have become a major risk to global climate conditions.

On top of that, manure is not always disposed of in a proper manner; thereby contaminating the areas surrounding large feedlots for pigs and cattle. When you raise your own cattle, or buy locally, it will greatly reduce the severity of these outcomes.

Unsafe Working Conditions

It sounds unlikely, but the meat industry is reckoned to be a severely dangerous industry for workers as working conditions are frequently unsafe for the employees who have to raise, slaughter, and butcher the animals. It is a fact that unskilled workers and illegal immigrants often suffer at the hands of large corporations in the meat industry.

Consider Raising Animals

As a result of the dangers of commercial farming as well as its adverse effects on the environment, numerous people are starting to raise their own animals for slaughter.  If you are far from ready to move to a rural area in order to keep livestock, it will be a revelation that you can actually do a great deal right now.

Chickens

The humble chicken is probably one of most uncomplicated animals to start with. The raising of poultry has increased in popularity to such an extent that many towns and cities are now allowing the raising of poultry within its boundaries. It is therefore not a problem to set up a pen for a couple of chickens.

Check with your local authority that the keeping of poultry is legalized in your town or city before you get started. Most towns and cities definitely do not permit the raising of livestock, but chickens are often allowed.

The biggest advantage of raising chickens must be that you get fresh eggs virtually daily depending on the number of hens you keep. Another option would be to rear chickens for their meat which is not difficult as they are relatively easy to dress and not expensive to feed.

To get your chicken project off the ground, you’ll have to take a decision on what kind of housing you would use. A coop for your chickens can be constructed using simple to use materials like wood and chicken wire.  One thing you should make sure of is that they have enough space to move around.

Places to find suppliers for your chicks would be your local feed stores or you could search online for suppliers in your area. Remember that you’ll want to know which kind of chicken you are looking at purchasing.

It is always better to obtain as much as possible information before embarking on this venture. Talk to others who have reared chickens in order to grasp the entire concept behind raising chickens. They will be able to answer your questions and provide some handy hints about the process,

Goats

Although goats are energetic animals, they are also quite easy to raise. Goats are amongst the smallest of livestock and the advantage of keeping goats is the benefit of having goat’s milk which is very healthy and versatile.

You should firstly find out whether your local laws approve of the raising of goats within city limits. If you have the go-ahead, you’ll need to provide appropriate shelter and the correct food for your goat. Unfortunately goats will try everything to get out of their enclosure, so make sure that you create an area that’s proven to be “goat proof”.

Get all the required information together and get prepared properly before spending your time and energy on raising a goat. You will find that your local agricultural branch should be able to give you guidance on how to prepare for keeping a goat.

Cows and Pigs

We are now coming to the heavyweights and you should be aware that cattle and pigs present a significantly bigger endeavor than chickens and goats.  If you live an urban area, you might find that you are not allowed to keep large animals such as these. It is therefore essential to make sure that your area is indeed zoned for the raising of livestock. Most importantly, you should have enough space for them.

It is highly likely that you would only be able to raise cattle and pigs if you live in a rural area with at least some farming land. It is therefore extremely important for you to get all the information you can, determine costs involved, and do all your planning. Raising livestock is not a decision to be taken lightly.

Raising cattle and pigs have many advantages.  The best one is that the meat you eat will not contain hormones and antibiotics. Seeing that you raised them yourself, you would have seen to it that they live a stress free life under the best possible circumstances.

If you have cows, you would have the benefit of fresh milk that in turn can be made into a variety of dairy products such as cheese, yogurt and butter.  Fresh, unpasteurized or raw milk has numerous health benefits. Lastly, livestock can provide a source of fresh beef.

When you raise your own pigs, you will have a large range of products that contain no artificial hormones.  You can choose to make sausages, bacon or ham, while having the knowledge that the food you are consuming is of a high quality. You will be happy to know that pigs are in fact not so hard to raise as cattle.

There are two different options available for the processing of your meat. While some people elect to go through the process themselves, many simply take their animals to a local meat processor for the slaughtering and butchering process.  In that way, you also support small business in your area.

Other Animals to Consider

There are a variety of other animals that you could contemplate to raise as part of your choice to establish a sustainable lifestyle.  The following animals might be used for both their meat and other benefits:

       Ducks – feathers as well as meat

       Geese – feathers and meat

       Guinea fowls – insect control

       Honey bees – Honey and pollination for your garden

       Pheasants – meat

       Rabbits – meat and fur

       Sheep – meat and wool

       Turkeys – meat

Every different animal will have its unique requirements for shelters, food, and a suitable environment.  Do take the time to study each individual animal’s ins and outs before you take any decisions about buying and raising them. You should also consider that you’ll have to slaughter the animals yourself.

A New Mindset

That brings us to your mindset about animals. It is true that urban dwellers rather perceive animals as pets than as food. If you know that you would not be able to bend your mind around that one, you should know that raising animals in your backyard for food is probably not for you. Otherwise, you would simply become too emotionally attached to them to let them go.

Those people who grew up on farms or in rural areas where animals are usually slaughtered for their meat have a different perception about animals. There are certain things you could do to avoid excessive emotional attachment to your farm animals:

       Never give farm animals names.

       Never allow them entry into your home.

       Always teach your children about what the animals are for

The other side of remembering their purpose is treating them with respect.  If you are distant, you are definitely not abusive. Yet, you must still take care of all the needs of your animals.

Not Quite Prepared to Raise Animals for Consumption?

Many people cannot imagine creating a sustainable life without raising their own livestock, but those in towns and cities might find it impossible to do. On the other hand, you might be able to raise animals, but choose not to.

You’d be happy to know that, even if you’re not ready to take up the major responsibility of raising your own animals, you could still do a variety of things to contribute to the sustainability of the planet. On top of that, you would be able to live a healthier life as well.

Buy Local

Most often, farmers within an hour or two drive from urban areas sell their animal products directly to consumers. It is actually becoming the norm as more and more consumers are taking accountability for the planet and the hazards attributed to commercial livestock.

You are sure to find someone close to you with an online search. Farmers are usually very organized and will be able to send you all information on availability and prices. Although some even deliver in town, you could pick it up yourself as well in order to experience the true reassuring nature of going to a farm to buy your food.

There, you can meet the farmer who raised the animals in person. You will be able to   , see for yourself under what conditions the animals are living, while getting peace of mind about buying quality products. You could enquire about the animal’s diet and maybe even request a tour of the farm.

Another big opportunity to buy locally grown food is presented by farmer’s markets.  Farmers use stands to either sell meat or take orders for future deliveries.  In this way, you can greatly contribute to sustainable farming.

When you buy in bulk, either the whole animal or a section of it, you usually make big savings over buying small quantities of meat as you need it. Meat can last up to 6 months or more in a freezer so do invest in a size that suits your family’s needs.

Buy Organic

It could be that you don’t have access to farmer’s markets. The decision to take might then include organic meats. Many supermarkets now sell organically grown, hormone-free meat.

Farmers also offer milk from cows that are fed an organic diet. Buy yours from small farms rather than from large commercial ventures.  Eggs and cheese, as well as other dairy products are also sold in this way.

Eat Less Meat

It’s not as if you have to turn into a vegetarian in order to decrease the effect of meat production on the planet. Start to skip meat for one day a week, thereby doing your bit in the reduction of global warming.

A sustainable lifestyle could include the very small step of having fewer meals containing meat.  By reducing the quantity of meat you eat by just one or two portions, you will already reduce the impact of your carbon footprint as it has reduced emissions from both animals and cross-country transport as a result.

Simple Steps to a Healthier World

You will find that sustainable living can be implemented in the simplest ways, even though you may have believed that it requires a lot of input from your side. While not all of us are prepared or willing to trade the city for the country in order to operate a small farm, we can make certain small adjustments that will have a big impact.

Don’t attempt to do everything in one go if you feel inclined to raise your own animals. Rather start with something easy like chickens and continue to more challenging animals once you get up to speed with the process of raising them.

Don’t feel bad if you realize that you’re not the type to raise your own animals as you are still able to be a champion for sustainable living methods by reducing the amount of meat you eat, by buying organically grown meat, or by purchasing your meat from local farms.

Big impacts start with you taking one easy step in order to lower the damaging results of commercial meat production.  Apart from the impact your lifestyle will be having, you’ll also illustrate how easy it is to friends, family, and your community at large.

You should know that you can still have meat and animal products and continue to contribute to a healthy planet without becoming a vegan who consumes no animal products, although it is indeed a feasible option to take. A natural result of eating meat from animals that were raised in an ethical and healthy way is the improvement of your own health.

5: Producing and Conserving Energy in Your Home

A major component of a sustainable lifestyle is the proper management of the amount of energy you use.  It is good to know where energy originates in order for us to comprehend the critical reasons for its conservation.  In this section we’ll elaborate on the different kinds of energy we use in addition to the ways you can decrease your use of energy that pollutes the planet while increasing the clean energy you consume.

Energy Sources

There are various ways in which energy is generated across our planet, but certain ways are surely more supportive of our planet than others.  While it is highly unlikely that you will reduce your consumption to levels of using no energy, there are indeed improved options and ways to decrease the amount of energy you use.

Fossil Fuels

The biggest part of our energy resources originate in fossil fuels.  We utilize fossil fuels as gasoline to propel our vehicles and operate other machinery.  It is also used to a great extent to operate generators that produce electricity. In fact, more than 50 per cent of our electricity originates from coal fired power stations.

Fossil fuels are the supplies of energy that have an organic origin from materials that have been buried deep underneath the surface of the Earth for millions of years. Fossil fuels can be either liquid or solid, or gas as well.

Dead animal remains that have broken down over possibly millions of years end up as liquid and gas fossil fuels and includes oil and natural gas, which are obtained by drilling as deep as 30,000ft or more. It is extremely dangerous to both humans and the environment as several disasters involving the drilling and transport of oil have occurred over the past couple of decades causing tremendous damage to the environment.

The dead remains of plants, petrified over millions of years to provide us with coal, a solid fossil fuel, which is mined from deep underground. It is true that miners hold some of the most unsafe occupations in the world as they can and have become trapped underground due to the collapse of sections of their mine.

Air pollution originates mostly from the use of fossil fuels because carbon dioxide and other dangerous chemicals are emitted into the atmosphere as it is burned. Fossil fuels are deemed to be nonrenewable resources as they cannot be replaced once used. The downside about our advanced society is that we rely heavily on fossil fuel resources.

Solar Energy

Ultimately, the sun remains the vital source of energy for the powering the earth. Scientists and inventors have literally spent ages trying to create systems that can harness that power. They have found ways and the massive energy source is easily converted into electricity for all kinds of uses.

They have devised a couple of ways to use energy from the sun, one of which is passive solar energy where structures are built in such a way to receive the full natural benefit of heating from the sun.

Active solar energy works by using photovoltaic cells to trap energy from the sun and can be used as power sources for consumer electronics like the always popular solar calculator. On the other hand, they are also used to provide power to much larger systems such as in homes where they can supplement conventional electricity.

The biggest advantage of solar energy is that it is pollutant free. It is therefore a clean source of energy that certainly supports a greener lifestyle. Yet, it has its fair share of drawbacks.

The major one is that it is expensive. Despite the fact that solar energy is deemed as renewable, it doesn’t reduce the energy the sun produces.  It stems mostly from the fact that the equipment utilized for solar energy is still very expensive. Apart from that, its bulky nature takes up a great deal of surface area to effectively obtain sufficient energy from the sun.

Wind Energy

The utilization of wind energy is not a new concept as our ancestors have used windmills to turn turbines that provide power to a variety of machinery for hundreds of years. In our era, those turbines generate electricity instead of perhaps grinding wheat.

Energy from the wind is completely renewable as you cannot deplete the resource provided by the wind. Although it has the added benefit of also being non-polluting, the equipment needed to utilize the wind effectively remains extremely costly, large, and unsightly.

You will see wind farms, as they are called, cropping up in high wind areas. These include large, flat plains or coastlines which have recently been added to the list of favorite sites for wind farm developers for the excellent wind circulation at the coast.

There is however some criticism against wind farms. They are said to be loud and not particularly nice to look at. Besides that, you need hundreds of windmills that are facing various ways to really obtain sufficient energy to use them as a source of power.

You might find windmills in personal use, but it is rare to find. Smaller models are less costly, but the initial high cost is usually recovered over their lifespan as you save on energy costs.  One should remember that wind energy is sustainable and that it remains a non-pollutant form or energy.

There are a couple of commercial electric companies that obtain their energy from windmills, but it is not freely available to all. People who do have access to it live in the knowledge that they are using sustainable energy although they are paying a higher price for it.

Water Energy

Another way of using the force of nature is to turn turbines with the power of water to generate hydro electricity.  In the United States, the most well-known hydro electricity project can be seen at the massive Hoover Dam in Nevada.

It is true that this kind of energy is renewable, but many environmentalists oppose the damming of rivers combined with the unnatural rerouting of water.  Power utilities usually put measures in place to combat problems that result from changes in the natural ecosystem.

Several dams therefore have hatcheries to maintain the local populations of fish, but certain effects such as water temperature changes are not viable for attempts to retain an existing ecosystem.

Nuclear Power

The energy source from nuclear power tends to have a controversial nature as life-threatening events at nuclear power plants cause citizens of various countries to question its safety.

In very recent history, the Japanese nuclear plant disaster has people across the world reconsidering the popular use of nuclear energy. When radiation exposure for workers and citizens in the area becomes a concern, nuclear power becomes extremely difficult to sell.

Major concerns surrounding nuclear waste also exist as it remains radioactive for many, many years, making its effective and safe storage another big issue to all concerned.

Bio-Fuels

There are numerous living organisms that produce enough energy to be utilized as fuel.  When you burn wood, it is a type of bio-fuel. When trash is burned, it provides another way of releasing the inherent energy of materials that can be harnessed.

Scientists have been working on finding methods of changing biological organisms such as corn and soy into fuel. Research also includes algae as a potential source of energy.

There are a numerous vehicles that have actually been changed to run on vegetable oil as they burn much cleaner than vehicles operated by fossil fuels. These vehicles are however not commercially available and has to be retrofitted by an expert in that field.

Many people believe that bio-fuels are the answer to the energy and global warming crisis faced by our planet. On the downside, the production of bio-fuels reduces global food supply, making it increasingly difficult to feed the hungry. It remains a vicious cycle that definitely requires a further in depth investigation.

Reducing Home Energy Reliance

There just aren’t simple answers to the issue of using clean fuels that have a small impact on the environment. Therefore, probably the best way to support a sustainable lifestyle right now is to decrease the amount of energy you use.  If you are less dependent on energy, you can use more intelligent options when you do have to make use of it.

You can decrease your environmental impact on the world by making certain choices of which the first is the choice of new knowledge. Become aware of your energy consumption and examine the changes you can put in place to improve your situation.

Lighting

Keeping everything lit up all the time is fast depleting the energy resources of the planet. We have become de-sensitized to seeing artificial lighting 24 hours every day, and while it’s awesome to run businesses 24 hours per day, it ultimately takes a high toll on the environment.

There are a number of easy things you can do to ensure that you’re not wasting energy at home or the office. The obvious thing to do is to switch off those lights you don’t need. When you start to become aware of the manner in which you use lights, you’ll discover that you are wasting a lot of energy by pointlessly leaving lights turned on.

Do turn off the lights when you leave a room. It might be a bit of an investment, but smart homes now commonly sport motion sensor lights, just like security lights, programmed to turn on and off as you move in and out of a room. This is an easy energy saving option that you can virtually forget about that you should consider.

Energy consumption is highly determined by the type of bulb you use. While all of us grew up using incandescent bulbs, they use way too much energy, most of which is simply lost as heat. You can observe this by feeling how hot an incandescent bulb is when on for a few minutes, compared to a compact florescent light (CFL).

The more energy efficient brother of the former is fluorescent lighting, which has been adapted over the years to increase its aesthetic appeal while producing warmer light.  They last much longer while using much less energy, but do cost more than incandescent bulbs, but prices have become much more reasonable in recent years.

Use natural light during daytime instead of artificial lighting and lamps. Open blinds and shades and do utilize the windows in your home.  Make sure that you turn off all lights that are not used before leaving your home.

Electronics

Our world is full of electronics: from the omnipresent televisions, to PC’s and iPods.  We cannot turn back the clock in order to decrease our dependence on electronic equipment that we use at work and at home.  There are however, some smart decisions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint.

Computers and tablets can be set to energy saving mode, allowing their monitors to turn off when the computer is not really in use. Certain machines can be turned off or set to hibernate when you know that you’re not going to use them for extended periods of time.

The best practice is to turn off your computer at the end of the day or at the start of the weekend. To leave computers running all the time is an unnecessary drain on energy resources.  Take up this practice at your office and at home.

Do unplug appliance cords that are not in use.  The switch is still turned on and the cord is still draining energy.  Unplug items that are not in use, even items such as cell phone chargers, music systems and microwaves still use energy even when they’re not in use.

Large appliances should have energy star ratings, so be on the lookout for those when you make a new purchase.  They use less energy, which will of course decrease your utility bill by quite a bit. In the USA, you could also receive certain tax breaks when you purchase items with such a rating.

Cooling and Heating

The biggest portion of your monthly energy bill goes to the cost of heating and cooling your home.  While some people who live a sustainable lifestyle opt to forego the comforts of air conditioning and heating, you could find other ways to still have access to these comforts in a sustainable manner

When it is hot, simply set the thermostat to a higher temperature than your normal preference. There is a big reduction in energy use between 72 and 78 degrees and you’ll find that a higher temperature still provides substantial relief from the heat.

I have compiled a couple of tips for remaining comfortable in the heat without draining energy:

       Windows that are exposed to strong sun should have their blinds and curtains closed for that part of the day when it receives its highest exposure.

       Use ceiling fans and oscillating fans, but do turn them off when you leave the room.

       Simply dress in lighter clothing, or if you’re a man take your shirt off.

       Decrease or don’t use your oven during the hottest parts of the day as it increases the temperature of the house, leaving the air conditioning to work harder to retain its temperature.  Have a barbeque, use the stovetop, a slow cooker or prepare dishes that can be eaten cool.

       Change your linens for bedding to lighter ones.

Lower the temperature on your thermostat to 68 degrees in winter and make some extra energy savings. It is not uncomfortable if you find alternative ways to warm up your home. Do any or all of these to stay warm:

       Heat can be trapped inside by using thermal curtains on windows.

       Change your summer linens to good old flannel sheets and combine with down comforters for extra warmth at night.

       Purchase comfy winter slippers.

       Insulation film prevents windows from losing too much heat.

       Weather stripping can effectively block drafts.

       Fit a weather strip to outside doors or roll up a towel across the threshold of interior doors to reduce drafts.

Windows

Old windows are energy sponges and it is best to replace them with new double-pane insulated windows that will effectively trap the energy in your home.

Fitting new windows is expensive, but they’ll pay for themselves in energy costs in no time. Window updates are offered by many companies, but get a couple of estimates and do check their references before you decide who to hire.

Utility Companies

There are many areas whose utility companies obtain energy from green sources like wind energy.  Does some research in your area to find companies that provide sustainable energy.  While it will be more expensive, it will be the more sustainable option to take.

Home Design

If you’re planning to build a new home, consider planning for sustainable living.  Plan to make a big impact on your future energy use by carefully considering the direction your home faces, as well as the placement of windows and by incorporating green landscaping into your plan.

Take great care to ensure that your new home is an example of energy efficiency by installing insulated windows and walls combined with highly efficient heating and cooling systems.  Solar panels are the perfect addition to other energy sources in use at your new home.

Ask the Experts

It is a fact that virtually all homes have sections where energy-wastage takes place.  Call in the professionals to inspect your house and establish the sources of energy-loss.  Numerous companies that specialize in this field are now operating in most urban areas.

A consultant will usually scrutinize your home for problems with insulation. They usually also offer ideas on reducing energy use.  This is very useful in establishing the unique requirements of your family and your home.

Reducing Your Transportation Energy

A major demand on energy usage is transportation.  Although we need to move from one place to another, the way we move can produce a quite varied carbon footprint.  It is not as if you have to stay in one place to do your bit for the environment as a couple of simple adjustments will have a huge effect.

Hoof It

Going where you need to go by foot is probably one of the best ways to reduce energy use. Some people simply live further than walking distance from work or school, but most urban areas are self-contained with schools, businesses and doctors within walking distance.

It can easily become a lifestyle to walk to the nearby grocer for bread and milk instead of driving. People tend to drive everywhere wasting huge amounts of energy to get to the next block or just beyond. Saving energy by walking is a great way of increasing your fitness as well.

An interesting trend is the walking school bus. Many communities have developed this system where adults oversee large groups of children that are walking to school.  Your neighborhood should preferably have pedestrian friendly sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic lights that incorporate walking lights for this to work.

Cycle Your Way

If it is too far to walk, it might be close enough to cycle there, so dust of that bicycle and get cycling. It will greatly reduce your use of fossil fuels, while again improving your fitness.

Carpooling

Carpooling has saved a lot of energy, money, and time for a lot of people up to now, so if you are going to the same place at the same time, do consider it.  It gives you the freedom to sleep later on certain days if you don’t have to drive to school or just be a passenger on others when you catch your carpool lift to work for that week.

It is a great way to travel, but you should establish a roster for drivers by either rotating on a daily or weekly basis. If you are four drivers and you rotate weekly, it means that you are saving three weeks’ worth of energy and gas each month.

Its fine if only one person in the group has a large enough vehicle for carpooling as you could ask for a fee for gas and wear and tear on your vehicle. Everyone will save on fuel, while still reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. On top of that, they will greatly reduce toxic emissions.

Public Transportation

If your area has public transportation, make use of it. Cities usually have the best forms of public transportation which makes it a highly efficient way of getting around. It’s not expensive and allows for a a relaxing trip without the stress of driving.

Subways and trains are the ultimate if you want to avoid commuter traffic. A bonus is that public transport costs much less than driving alone. Monthly passes provide even better ways of saving money as they give a deeper discount, so contact your local transit office for those.

You will find that public transportation costs are sometimes reduced during summer months, due to higher incidences of poor air quality, to encourage commuters to rather make use of public transportation.  Companies could also receive discounts for employees as they buy public transport passes in bulk.

Efficient Vehicles

Vehicles are becoming increasingly fuel efficient.  If you’re looking to buy a new vehicle, select one that not only meets your needs but that is also fuel efficient.  Hybrid vehicles are new breeds that run on both fuel and electricity.

A few manufacturers have built vehicles that can run on both gasoline and ethanol. They are called flex fuel vehicles. Vehicles that run on natural gas burn cleaner, while achieving better mileage.  As these vehicles are usually more expensive than previous model cars, you’ll need to balance your increased capital outlay with improved sustainable living practices.

Energy Saving in the Future

We do live in a technologically advanced world, but you can modify your modern lifestyle to the extent that you use less energy instead of feeling that you have to give up your internet connection or your climate controlled environment in order to contribute to a reduction in your carbon footprint.

A couple of simple changes can assist in changing you into a model energy saver.  Do not try to change everything at once. Take small steps, and you’ll end up with a much less daunting venture overall.

You will reach a stage where you feel comfortable with the new behavior. You only add a new step once it has become a habit.  It is also easier if you have the support of your entire family as having the same focus definitely eases change.

6: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Major problems facing Earth are ever increasing consumption and the ultimate disposability of modern products.  The likelihood of throwing things away and replacing it is much higher than repurposing or repairing it.

The theory behind sustainable living is to use what you have, recycle what you don’t need, and find new uses for things that still have some life in it. The biggest principle is to not use more than you really need.

Reduce your Consumption

Do you own more than you really need?  Most people do as they tend to hoard clothes they’ve never worn or have worn only once. Likewise, their garages are full of equipment that is rarely used. Their homes might even be taken over by things they are storing for later use.

If you pay rent for a storage unit somewhere, you most likely have way more than you really need.  You can do a variety of things to reduce this kind of over indulgent consumerism. Show that you are thoughtful in the manner you purchase instead of believing that you should stop buying completely.

Why is it important to have less stuff?  Well, the more you buy, the more nonrenewable energy is used to manufacture these items. More space is also required to store all the excess stuff you keep, resulting in the need for bigger houses, which in turn requires more construction material and more energy to heat and cool that space. If you purchase a lot, it also means that you are most likely to throw away a lot of items. The answer to our landfill overflow is simply to buy less.

Here are a couple of ideas on curbing your consumer habits:

       Make sure you buy clothes that you really need and that fit in with your current wardrobe.

       Decide to purchase clothes made from sustainable fabrics such as cotton.

       There is nothing wrong with buying gently used items. You’ll save the landfill from overflowing while saving substantial amounts of money.

       Stick to your shopping list.

       Always try to buy items that are multi-purpose as you end up buy fewer items.

       Look at the items you already have before making a purchase to eliminate duplicating an item that could work for the same purpose.

Disposable Products

Convenience is a buzzword that is killing off the environment a million diapers and disposable cups at a time. There are disposable versions of mostly anything you can think of, including:

       Diapers and Baby wipes

       Knives, forks and spoons

       Cups, plates and napkins

       Cameras

       Razors and Sanitary products

       Towels and Makeup applicators

       Cat litter boxes

       Coffee filters and air filters of all kinds

       Bottled water

       Sandwich bags and Paper bags as well as all kinds of fast food packaging

       And so the list continues…

There surely are other available options that are friendlier to the environment for these and hundreds of other disposable products.  They might be convenient, but they require energy to produce while contributing to pollution.

Consider trading at least some of your disposable products for lasting substitutes or at least try to purchase recycled items from renewable resources. If you look at the number of disposable items you use, it is surely one of the most effective changes you’ll make.

Reuse

Think about what you might do with an item before discarding it. Numerous items are perfect for reuse and repurposing rather than being thrown away. You can limit your impact on the environment in a major way by reusing and repurposing.

Take plastic shopping bags, for instance. It is easy to find alternative uses for them; such as trash can or litter box liners. You can also reuse them for carrying your groceries at another time.

The best way to carry your shopping, is to use reusable bags. Many supermarkets are promoting the use of reusable shopping bags for groceries and other items by selling these bags and having customers pay for plastic bags. The reusable bag can be used hundreds of times and can prevent thousands of plastic bags from ending up in landfills.

Furniture should be high on your list of items designated for reuse instead of being discarded.  It is often quite easy to update out-of-fashion items with a coat of paint, new hardware or some polishing. Learn a new skill and make an item useful again at a fraction of replacing it with a modern version.

You can easily update an outfit by adding a modern accessory, or tailoring it to look fresh and trendy again. Lots of clothing that could be rescued with some creative effort and a bit of know-how ends up being thrown away.

There are hundreds of items that can be reused instead of using the disposable version.  Use real dishes that can be washed instead of paper plates. Purchase a permanent filter than can be washed and reused instead of the disposable kind.

Although it might not seem like a lot to you, these small changes add up to a major improvement on your impact on the environment.  We have listed a number of options for reusing instead of throwing items away:

       Buy permanent handled razors rather than the disposable version

       Cloth diapers can be washed and used again

       Feminine products that can be washed and reused are available

       Furniture of which the patterns have gone out of style can be reupholstered

       Cabinets can be repainted and hardware updated instead of buying new

       Furniture can be moved to different rooms to give it a brand new look

       Do the same with paintings, pictures and accessories

       Store food and other items in glass containers rather than disposable packaging

       Buy a pitcher that has a filter instead of bottled water

       Replace baby wipes with a wash cloth

It is advisable to replace all disposable items with reusable ones, not all people are set to end their dependence on disposable products all at once.  You’d be happy to know that, even if you just stop using some of them, you will still make a difference by limiting your reliance on disposable items. List the disposable products you use regularly and establish what you can and can’t live without. Replacing the ones you can live without is a simple decision that is highly effective in reducing your carbon footprint.

Even clothing with bad stains or with holes can be used as kitchen towels or dust cloths instead of buying new ones for that purpose. When a piece of furniture is broken beyond repair, it could be transformed into something else or a decorative piece. It is not as hard as you think to be creative and breathe new life into everyday items.

Recycle

Recycling is much easier than a couple of years ago as an increasing number of recycling programs are now operational as a result of the growing awareness of the problem with nonrenewable resources.

Items made of paper and plastic were the first to become commonly recycled.  Followed by glass and tin cans, many local authorities have joined the bandwagon to offer curbside recycling, which is the ultimate convenience as you do not have to travel anywhere to join in your city’s recycling drive.

In many areas, though, recycling takes a bit more effort from you as you might have to travel to a recycling center. Some garbage companies might put up mini recycling centers at schools or shopping centers which makes it more convenient for you to recycle.

These are some of the most well known items for recycling:

       Pizza boxes and other cardboard food boxes

       Plastic Water and soda bottles

       Glass beer and wine bottles

       Paper of all kinds

       Milk jugs and cartons

       Aluminum cans and foil

       Grocery bags (paper and plastic)

       Shampoo and lotion bottles

You will find recycling numbers on the bottom of plastic containers which will assist you in understanding which items recycling centers will not accept. Find the accepted numbers here:

       1’s and 2’s are virtually almost accepted by recycling centers

       3’s, 6’s, and 7’s are mostly not accepted

       4’s and 5’s are accepted some of the times, so find out from the recycling center

When you participate in a recycling program, the recycling center should usually provide information on the items that will be accepted. While most of the usual items will be accepted, certain items are subject to specific conditions.

Interestingly, you can recycle water bottles but not their lids, so while some recyclers will accept them along with their lids, others might want you to deliver them with the lids removed. Follow the guidelines of the recycling center to get the most out of it.

Natural recycling by making compost is something you also might want to consider and was discussed in more detail in Section 3.  Vegetable kitchen waste can be put to good use this way instead of landing in the landfill where it will have no use.

If something is convenient for you, you are much more likely to continue doing it, so establish a recycling system that easily incorporates into your daily routine.  Do so by having several containers in your kitchen, each for its own purpose:

       Garbage

       Recycling

       Composting

If you are required to sort your recycling items, you could add more containers for:

       Plastic

       Aluminum

       Paper/cardboard

       Glass

Get into the habit of sorting and cleaning items immediately after use. You’ll save a lot of time and effort later if you put everything right into the correct recycling container.  When it’s time to put your items on the curb or take it to the recycling center, it takes no effort at all to get them together and move them out.

Recycling Electronic Devices

Electronics require certain specific considerations when it comes to recycling. While many electronics contain heavy metals that need to be removed before they’re disposed of, they also have parts that are easily recycled.

Certain retailers, such as Target, have electronic recycling centers where you can even leave your old cell phones in a special bin. Recyclers mostly pick up the bins from these centers. Certain cell phone recycling services benefit charities, so look for them online.

Computers are the more difficult items to recycle, so you will find that many donation centers do not take them. Sometimes, thrift shops might take your electronics, but do call ahead before you load up everything. Larger towns and cities will have places where you can safely dump your electronic devices although they may charge a fee for this service.

Donate

All of us have those items in our homes that we’re no longer using, but which are still usable. You can donate a variety of items to charities in your area including:

       Furniture and Electronics

       Clothing and Jewelry

       Baby items and Toys

       Books and CD’s

       Appliances and Cookware

       Cutlery and Crockery

       Vases and Decorative items or accessories

       Automobiles

Apart from giving these less than loved items a new home, your local charity will greatly benefit. Find a cause that you truly believe in before you donate. Your local thrift shop usually supports causes that include domestic abuse prevention and shelters, disease prevention, shelters for the homeless as well as food pantries.

You could also contemplate putting up items on online listings like Craigslist which allow you to give items away for free or sell to make money from it to a far wider audience than that of your local newspaper’s.  Whatever option you choose, you are refraining from simply dumping items into your nearest landfill.

If you thought that other people would not want some of your discarded items, think again as”one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” is still true in modern times.

Keeping Earth Clutter Free

Earth is hugely threatened by waste and trash. Landfills no longer have space and in the United States, garbage from major towns is sometimes even taken to landfills in other counties or states.  It has therefore become critical that we manage what and how much we use and dispose of in order to preserve our planet.

You have an incredibly important role as a citizen of Earth and that is to reduce the number of items you buy, reuse the items you already have, while recycling as many others as possible.  It might require a lifestyle change from you, but the simple steps you take today can easily become the habits of tomorrow.

A bonus of decreasing consumption is the freedom from clutter.  If you have fewer items around, there is no clutter that can make you feel disorganized or that can make it hard to clean.

There is a lot of money to be saved when buying less new items while finding ways to reuse or recycle items.  The money you save can be used to pay off debt, pay for education, or perhaps even for the buying of greener household items. You will certainly help to save the planet as well as your bank account.

7: Getting Rid of Toxic Waste

We have to keep our planet safe despite our dependence on certain items which require special care when being disposed of.

Items in this category consist of:

       Paints and Solvents

       Used batteries of all kinds

       And Motor oils

You should remember that these are the items that could never be disposed of by throwing it away in the trash or simply by flushing it down drains. They remain hazardous to the environment and people, but rest assured that most cities provide hazardous waste disposal sites for the proper disposal of these items.

Disposal centers generally accept both paint and solvents as well as batteries.  Waste from the auto industry, such as vehicle fluids, are often accepted by auto parts stores who provide services for recycling for instance used motor oil.

Not all towns will have disposal centers for these items. If yours does not, find one in your nearest city or town. While smaller towns often have arrangements to share disposal facilities, certain larger cities take dangerous materials from other towns at a small fee.

The wonder of online searching will provide you with information on the most convenient hazardous waste disposal facility in your area. It takes some effort on your part to dispose of dangerous waste, but it’s completely worth it to keep our planet healthy.

Medications

Another major threat to both landfills and waterways is the indiscriminate disposal of medications.  Medications that are flushed down the drain when they’ve expired, or no longer required are extremely detrimental to our water supply.

Discuss the proper disposal of expired or useless medication with your local pharmacist. Certain pharmacies offer a service whereby you can leave unused medications with them to deal with its disposal.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has established various programs around the country in the United States that prescribe the correct disposal of prescription medications. It keeps both the environment as well as your family much safer.

It’s never a good idea to keep a number of leftover medicines at home, especially not when there are teenagers or young children around. If your children are too young or uninformed about drugs like muscle relaxers and narcotics, they should not have access to them as they would not understand the results of using them.

Making It Easy on Yourself

Establishing a sustainable lifestyle is all about creating new and easy ways of doing things. Hazardous materials are easily dealt with by having a system in place for them.

Find a safe place to store hazardous materials until you can dispose of them.  Store similar items such as batteries and paints together in their own containers.

Create your own disposal calendar with two to three visits to the disposal center for paint and batteries entered per year. Do take the time to check your medicine cabinet twice per year for expired medications and dispose of them.

If we reduce the number of hazardous materials we use in the first place, it will be much easier to keep both our homes and our planet healthy. Choose as few as possible non-toxic materials and you have less of them to dispose of.

8: Get Your Children On Board

If the protection of our planet is important to you, you will have to get your children involved in order to instill the same values in them. While it has a greater benefit to the planet, there are surely great benefits when the entire family is involved.

Why You Should Involve Your Children

There is a variety of manners in which kids gain from being involved in a sustainable lifestyle.  It makes sense that if you’re creating a healthier planet for your children, they in turn will continue with what you’ve taught them.

Children who are involved in sustainable lifestyle practices are:

       highly prone to learn how to garden and eat vegetables

       usually continuing with the recycling skills they learned as kids when they become adults

       healthier and stronger

       more concerned with the correct treatment of animals

       less bothered by belongings

Apart from greatly benefitting from a sustainable lifestyle, your children can assist you with certain tasks, which of course is of great benefit to you. There are many enjoyable ways of getting children to participate. Children will always be happy to help if it looks like a fun activity instead of work.

Make it Fun

Your children will understand the value of sustainable living so much better if they are involved in the process.  Get them involved in your new lifestyle with the following guidelines:

       Encourage them to help with the planting of vegetables and fruits in your garden – you will find many appealing kinds that kids find great fun

       Establish your own mini-recycling center at home and add pictures of the items that should go in the various containers. It is especially fun for younger children who can’t read yet

       Get them to help when you paint and repurpose furniture

       Have them help to take care of the farm animals you keep.

       Teach them basic sewing skills

       They will love to learn how to cook with the fresh vegetables and fruits from their garden

       Talk about the importance of their planet during family nights

       Watch the tree that you planted in your backyard grow and produce flowers and fruit

       Take them on a shopping trip to your local thrift store. They will have lots of fun finding the appropriate and usable items you teach them about.

       Make the choice to volunteer with your children in order for them to see that they can choose to make a good impact on the lives of others

       Allow them to participate in planning the garden or farming activities by giving them each a role and certain responsibilities

       Incorporate reading into your new lifestyle by reading them stories about their planet and the environment

You will establish practices that will continue into adulthood when your children participate in creating the adjustments to your lifestyle to promote sustainable living.  You’ll be happy with the knowledge that the future generation, your children, will maintain the environment just like you did.

They are not always eager to participate, but you can create a fun adventure while giving them each a specific role to play and they’ll find it much more enjoyable.  Understand that they sometimes might resist all your attempts to make them do something.

That’s why it is essential that you teach them why you are doing the things that you do. It creates a lot of excitement and happiness when they know that they are doing something that can benefit others.  Teach them the ways that their new lifestyle benefits both themselves and other people.

9: Minor Choices Go a Long Way

Do not feel daunted by the huge changes you might feel you need to make. Take a couple of small steps if that would make you feel more at ease.  A variety of easy and quick things will have you making an immediate impact on the earth in no time. You will find a good selection of all of those in this section.

You can choose to implement a couple of the changes or why not all of them?  A single change will already have a huge impact on the environment, so don’t discard the entire idea of creating a sustainable lifestyle just because it looks like you’ll have to change your lifestyle completely.

Continue to concentrate on taking on little changes one step at a time.  When you’ve created one new habit, you can proceed with another and continue from there if you want to. If you choose not to, you have at least done your bit to protect the planet.

       Go on, plant that tree in your backyard

       Buy a pitcher with a water filtering system rather than bottled water

       Get growing on that herb garden – even if it is in a container on your window sill

       Support local farmers and buy your vegetables and meat from them

       Find organic produce at your local supermarket

       Get into the habit of using natural cleaners such as vinegar to mop the floor rather than toxic cleaners

       Repurpose outdated furniture instead of disposing of it

       Take clothes that you’ve outgrown or no longer love and donate it or give it away

       Exchange your old light bulbs for the compact fluorescent type

       Recycle paper than throw it away

       Set up your own recycling center for glass, plastic, and paper

       Install lighting fixtures with motion sensors to save electricity

       Source a local energy company that supplies energy from windmills

       Get recycling on those cans

       Start using reusable shopping bags rather than the old-fashioned paper or plastic

       When you do have them, use those plastic grocery bags as trash can liners or reuse them for carrying your groceries a next time

       Get into the habit of using renewable resources when renovating your home. Bamboo is perfect for flooring and kitchen units

       Find items made from recycled materials to purchase

       Expired medications can be taken back to the pharmacy

       Live with a somewhat higher temperature in summer and a somewhat lower one in winter

       Use thermal curtains at your windows

       Always prefer to use natural light over artificial light during the day

       Resist the temptation to drive to the store when you could walk

       Use public transport instead of driving to work on your own each day

       Join or set up a carpool for trips to school or work

       Buy a vehicle with great gas efficiency

       Choose to skip meat for one day a week to save money

       It is possible to substitute a main meal of usually meat with vegetables. Have meat as a side dish instead

Pick any single item on the list above and know that you have done your part in helping to protect the planet.  Even doing the smallest thing is better than doing nothing in the process to safeguard the planet’s resources.  Every constructive change from your side is a contribution towards a healthier planet and protecting it for your children and theirs.

Should you not be likely to overturn your entire life in order to achieve sustainable living, taking simple and small steps can be both rewarding and valuable. Find ways to plan for a more sustainable future for your family in the next section.

10: Make a Plan and Get Started

As with most things, it helps to have a plan when you want to change your lifestyle to a more sustainable one.  It could be that you are completely happy with just making a couple of small adjustments to promote a healthier planet, but some people want more than that.

Goals

Be sure to set goals for sustainable living prior to getting started, what is it that you want to achieve? Saving money or maybe growing your own food? Do you envision starting a sustainable lifestyle in an urban area or do you see yourself growing your own food and raising livestock on a smallholding in a rural area?

It is important for you to recognize what your plans for the future are and what steps you should take to reach those goals. It is true that certain goals are going to take more time or even effort than others, so make sure that you establish goals that are suitable for you and your present lifestyle.

Planning

The great thing about setting a goal is that it paves the way for creating a plan.  It is best to look at the results you wish to achieve. An example would be to look at the annual requirements in preparation for your goal, for instance being self-sustaining within five years.

Mapping out your steps is probably easier when you use a calendar or prepare a vision board of your proposed achievements.  These act as excellent reminders for your greatest sustainable lifestyle goals.

Never become discouraged, no matter what.  It is only natural to have setbacks when you’re making adjustments to the way you live. Don’t let them prevent you from realizing your ultimate goals.  Do it to the best of your ability and acknowledge that your plan might have some dents in it and face some rocky roads.

Remember that the smallest of changes can have a major impact in your drive to preserve the planet. Whatever good choices you make will definitely assist in securing Earth for future generations.

Thank you for downloading my book. Please REVIEW this book on Amazon.  I need your feedback to make the next version better. Thank you so much!

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Copyright © 2012 Sarah Burke Copyright © 2012 Cover Design by Sarah Burke

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this Kindle book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any informational storage or retrieval system without the expressed written, dated and signed permission from the author.

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Table of Contents

1: The Sustainable Living Basics

2: Why Choose a Sustainable Lifestyle?

3: Getting Started with Your First Garden

4: From Chickens to Cows

5: Producing and Conserving Energy in Your Home

7: Getting Rid of Toxic Waste

8: Get Your Children On Board

9: Minor Choices Go a Long Way

10: Make a Plan and Get Started

Copyright