ParkHowell.com

My guest blogger today is one of the Phoenix Business Journal’s recently named “Green Pioneers” Diane Brossart, President, Valley Forward Association

A special thanks to Park for inviting me to be a guest blogger!  This is ideal timing as Valley Forward has made a commitment to integrate more social media in 2009, starting with our new and improved web site. As many of us know, the time for sustainability is now.  In economic times where our daily consumption of oil, efficient use of utilities and weaning of added luxuries are constantly in check, we’re already taking steps in the right environmental direction. The economy is forcing less wasteful consumption, bringing to life what will imminently dictate our delicately balanced future.

But while sustainability may define this generation, people are still asking what they can do to contribute to a healthier environment.  Most of us are convinced we should be doing something to help improve the environment but are unsure how to do it. Valley Forward is a clearinghouse of sorts for all things green.

10 simple ways you can make a difference:

1. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs, which cut energy by 70 percent.  You can find these at any hardware store.
2. Buy Energy Star appliances.
3. Don’t rinse before washing dishes, save 7,300 gallons of water annually.
4. Take showers, not baths and use low-flow showerheads.  Check out some of these examples:
5. Insulate your house to prevent carbon emissions.  Believe it or not, adding a couple inches of insulation to the crawl space or attic will make a world of difference.
6. Switch to green power, buy renewable energy.  Research what your local power company offers and contact them for options.
7. Install solar PV panels and become energy neutral.  This site offers a variety of brands and styles. www.solarhome.org
8. Buy food that’s in season, organic and locally grown.  Many local newspapers run roundups of area farmer’s markets.
9. Collect rainwater and gray water for your garden
10. Landscape with native plants.

If it hasn’t dawned on you already, all of these options cost money upfront, but will save you thousands of dollars in the long-term while also providing a healthier environment.  And as one last parting food for thought – Anaheim University recently calculated that green business equates to 265 billion dollars, reaches 1.6 million people with a five percent growth per annum – a sector that was closer to zero just 10 years ago. That’s encouraging news in pessimistic times and reflects a paradigm shift in planning for the future as we naturally link a healthy environment to a healthy economy.

2 Comments

1. Green markerting firm becomes one of the first carbon-neutral ad agencies in Nor America | ParkHowell.com says:

   August 12, 2009 at 5:43 am

   [...] I read about EcoAid, a carbon offset consultant and broker, joining Valley Forward here in Phoenix, and I dropped them a line to ask for [...]
2. Gordon Brown Fan says:

   January 24, 2010 at 7:02 pm

   Your bookmarking strategy is working as I Found you through Stumbleupon. Check out my website if you get a chance, just click on name. (I don’t want to leave a link, it looks too spammy)