Going for a green lifestyle is the goal for global citizens with an eco conscience. But for the "Average Joe" who lacks the means of a Hollywood celeb or the influence of a hot politico-turned-activist like Al Gore, implementing an effective day-to-day green strategy can seem too daunting.
Not so, say Dr. David Suzuki and his activist daughter, Severin Suzuki, who offered some tips on eTalk this week.
"My generation has got used to thinking, 'I need to have a car to drive five blocks," says Dr. Suzuki, the environmentalist who dubbed climate change "a slow motion catastrophe."
"And that's why we have fat asses and a problem with obesity," adds Severin, who does her small daily bit by not purchasing bottled water. She also avoids buying chocolate bars since much of the raw chocolate comes from the Ivory Coast where there is slavery and child labour abuse.
With just these five simple, budget-friendly tips, anyone can embrace today's eco revolution and make a "real life" move in the right direction.
They may not be as visually impressive to your neighbours as cruising up your driveway in a new hybrid car or basking in the glory of your new solar panelled "smart" home. Yet these small steps can change your world and benefit the entire planet, according to this dynamic duo.
Step 1: Tomorrow morning, bring a coffee mug to work.
"I never use disposable cups," says Severin. "Just because I can't really justify using a resource that was once a tree or a plant for just 15 minutes and then throwing it in a landfill."
According to the website, Canadians throw away 25 billion styrofoam cups each year, and they will still be sitting in landfill sites 500 years from now.
And according to Statistics Canada, each Canadian uses up to four trees per year in paper products, a lot of that going into paper cups.
Step 2: Conserve energy at home--and that means more than just energy-efficient lightbulbs.
"If you're buying a new appliance, look at the energy guide and go for the most energy efficient," explains Dr. Suzuki. "You'll save money and it's good for the earth."
Check filters on air conditioners to maximize efficiency.
Also check your bulbs, and look for coupons offering deals for first-time buyers.
The lighting world's young upstarts leave the incandescent in the dust for efficiency: Halogens use up to 15 per cent less energy and last two to four times longer; compact fluorescents use up to 75 per cent less electricity and last 10 times longer -- seven to 10 years depending on use.
Step 3: Take a page from stars like Avril Lavigne and Pamela Anderson and go vegetarian one day a week.
It may not sound like much, says Dr. Suzuki, but this easy dietary change can make a huge difference to our world and for one very simple reason. "Meat is right at the top of the food chain. It takes a lot of grain to make a pound of meat. It takes a lot of water to make a pound of meat."
To make your diet more eco-friendly, try eating Kraft Dinner for breakfast or replace a whopping big burger with Tofurkey.
Step 4: Take the bus or break out the BMX for an emission-free ride around town.
This strategy, by far, can make the most dramatic impact in our gas-guzzling world says Dr. Suzuki. And as daughter Severin adds, "Get your bike in working order. Get it oiled and get a nice helmet so that you don't feel like a dork wearing."
If you can't buy a bike, consider renting one -- but make sure to get a lock and store it properly.
Step 5: If you must drive remember the less gas you use the less pollution you release.
"If you're going to get a car, for heaven's sake use fuel efficiency as one of the criteria," says Dr. Suzuki. Also, try weaning yourself off your wheels. "If you use a car on a regular basis, leave it at home one day a week."
Finally: "Get involved and learn about what you care about. Do a little research," says Severin. "If you don't understand why you're doing this it won't stick." That's the bottom line. It all begins with "Average Joe's" around the world making a commitment, remembering that nature, not the economy allows all of us to live, and just doing it every day.
Watch CTV's live coverage of Live Earth on Saturday July 7, starting at 11:30 am.
