You wouldn't think that a green lifestyle would work in urban living, but there are amazing ways that it can be part of one's life when living in a city.
An obvious way to bring "green" into the city is the leadership's determination to provide beautiful parks and public spaces for the enjoyment of the residents. Not only are there flowers and trees to enjoy, but there are usually walking or biking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds for children, possibly a dog park, sports and outdoor activities of all types, and often entertainment areas for visiting musicians and performers of various kinds.
As many people as possible need to be attracted to cities, because urban life will continue to be more important for a sustainable future where per-capita carbon emissions and energy and water use can be made much lower.
Millions of Americans already prefer to live in a bustling city, but if they are environmentally conscious, they wonder how urban folks can live in an eco-friendly way. There are effective and yet simple actions people can take as individuals to make a difference in reducing energy consumption and expenses at the same time, and they can be utilized by anyone whether you live in a condominium or in a two-story house.
Conserve energy
Energy costs continue to increase, so you can keep an eye on usage by utilizing energy efficient appliances and adjusting your thermostat.
Recycle
If you recycle aluminum, plastic, glass and cardboard, those materials can be reused and therefore save natural resources rather than be dumped into landfills. It’s all about consuming no more than you really need and making the most of our natural resources.
Reuse
Plastic bottles and plastic bags are two of the biggest environmental threats. Tens of millions of plastic water bottles are manufactured each year, with only a tiny fraction being recycled. Use refillable bottles, reuse plastic bags, and use special cloth designated bags for trips to the grocery stores.
Transportation
Another advantage of living in a city is having numerous public transportation choices. Traveling to work by nearby bus or train is an alternative to car travel and helps greatly in reducing harmful car emissions. If you are lucky enough to live within walking or cycling distance of work and recreation, especially if good quality and well-lit paths are provided, you can further reduce the carbon footprint in your daily life. In a large city, schools, daycare facilities, community services, churches, concert halls, theaters and stores are often close by.
Shopping
Organic groceries and eco-friendly markets are more prevalent and are a wonderful way to eat healthy while supporting locally grown food. You can also go to the U.S. EPA website for recommendations of green products.
Join a "green" group
You can find a group that helps promote green living and attend their meetings and events. It could be an urban farming group or one that teaches you how to make your own cleaning products.
If you live in downtown Scottsdale in one of the Scottsdale high rise condos, find out what is being done there to give you a green lifestyle.
