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Americans have ranked as the world’s least green consumers , again, according to the annual Greendex survey. Canadians also ranked very low, so stop acting all smug, Tremblay. North Americans have been making strides in responsible shopping, but we are still at the bottom.
How do we get out of this mess? We'll have to change the way we shop and, in part, the way we live. But we don't have to give up baseball, apple pies or mom. So there is that. Next year, if we all try really hard, we can at least beat Canada. We just have to make a few simple changes.
- According to the Greendex, 55% of Americans live in homes with seven rooms or more.
We like to live big in the United States, but perhaps it's time to look at living modestly. If you are building a home, build a modest sized house with green in mind. But you don't even have to build a new home to make a difference. Find yourself a roommate to occupy one of those rooms. A single tenant living alone will consume 18.4% more electricity per capita. - 58% of Americans drive alone daily. 61% never use public transportation.
You can save thousands of dollars a year by ditching your car and switching to public transportation. Or keep your car and share it with your coworkers. You’ll save some money, reduce your emissions, and carpooling is beneficial to your health. - 26% of Americans bike or walk to work.
Biking and walking have obvious health benefits. They are also completely emission-free, so get your fill. - 25% of Americans eat imported foods
Yeah. You may like authentic Italian sausage and Swiss cheese, but that's not very green. Instead, find local foods you like and eat those. I'm pretty sure you can find Swiss-style cheese made nearby. Also, quit drinking bottled water.
There are thousands of lifestyle changes that we can make to increase our ranking. But these are the major ones. I don’t want to see the United States at the bottom of any list.
More on Responsible Shopping
23 Must Know Tips for Thrift Store Shopping
Green Your Errands
Is it Greener to Shop Online or to Head to the Mall?
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