Many will think that living green involves making many big changes in your lifestyle.  We can agree on the changes necessary to start a green lifestyle but we definitely disagree on the big aspect.

You can actually make a positive difference towards environmental protection in your own little way by starting with small steps.  To paraphrase Neil Armstrong on his first step into the lunar surface, one small step on your part, the start of a giant leap for the rest of your household and, from then on, your community.

The following steps are highly recommended in your small steps to living green for two reasons.  First, you will not be overwhelmed with information about all things eco-friendly.  Only your practical side is needed to carry out these small steps.  Second, you need not spend money on a new house, a new car and new everything just so you can start living the green lifestyle.  Besides, buying new things is counterintuitive to the “reduce, reuse and recycle” mantra of living green.

You have to be informed about how to live the eco-friendly lifestyle.  There are many resources to be educated about the environmental issues that directly impact on your life, which may include waste disposal, organic food production and energy use.  Look to the Internet, books, magazines and newspapers for more information on what you can do in your home and office.

Think along the lines of segregating your trash so that it can be reused and recycled; biking and walking to your destinations instead of driving your car; using less water for washing your clothes, car and body; and turning off the lights in rooms that are unused, to name a few.  These small steps may be just that - small - but when practiced in your daily life, you will observe many positive effects.  Call it the compounding effect, if you will.

And then there is also the matter of food, which is an area where you can make yourself and the environment healthier.  You should look into growing your own fruits and vegetables even in your backyard.  Your harvests may not be sufficient to feed the whole community but you are one less consumer of products that use harmful chemicals in agriculture.  Plus, you will be saving on the costs of your grocery bills, which will matter in both the short and long run.

You will be healthier in many ways, too.  Your food will be organic, which many studies have proven to be healthier.  Also, since you are getting your exercise from all those gardening activities, your body benefits as well.

If you have the money, you may also consider installing a simple passive solar energy system in your house.  You may start with a solar hot water heater, south-facing windows to catch the sunlight and even the strategic placement of deciduous trees.  If somebody can accomplish solar passive heating with a few beer bottles, then you definitely can do it also.

The most important thing in living green is to influence your family and friends to adopt the lifestyle.  You need not get all preachy about it - just follow the practical principles of the green lifestyle centering on reusing, reducing and recycling so that others may see the merits an eco-friendly existence on Earth.