Today, there are innumerable causes of air pollution, and unfortunately they are all human causes. An example of human-caused air pollution would be factories and cars. Green living helps in cutting down air pollution, and hopefully there will be more people and businesses that decide to go green in the near future. Though there are a lot of people who hear the term green living and understand what it is, not everyone can afford to convert their way of living. However, even if we can manage to cut back half of the causes of air pollution, that will greatly help the environment.

 In the 1970's, when Americans decided that we should reserve one day to think about the impact of humanity on the earth's environment, the term global warming was not even in our vocabulary. Thirty-five years ago, Earth Day became a day to reflect, recycle and teach our kids about the importance of nature and preserving the planet on which we live. Back then, saving the environment was a bit of a "hippie-dippy" notion, not something we thought of or heard about on a daily basis and certainly not something we acted upon with any regularity.

A lot has changed. Nowadays, saving the environment is, at least part of the conscience of mainstream Americans, if not foremost in their minds. More and more Americans are actually starting to do something about preserving the earth's resources for the future. In the new millenium, we can actually see and feel the impact of deforestation, overpopulation, overfishing and other human activities that strain our planet's resources, to our own detriment. Saving the environment has become a hobby for some or just an added effort for others, but most of us are now onboard the environmental bandwagon.

What are the reasons American society, as a whole, has begun to put some effort into saving the environment? There are many reasons for each of us to take on some of the responsibility for preserving our planet. After all, everyone inhabiting planet earth will likely contribute to its eventual demise and certainly has a hand in using its resources. Even if you don't buy the theory that greenhouse gases will eventually destroy our air supply or that we will inevitably suffocate in a mountain of garbage, the personal investment each individual makes towards saving the environment, will improve our personal lifestyles too.

The best reasons to take some personal steps on behalf of our home planet, are the same simple things that can make our own immediate lives more comfortable. These small steps can include things like turning off the lights, minimizing our use of everyday appliances or attempting to purchase less packaged products. Consider the personal advantages to be gained by taking these environmentally-friendly actions. Turning off the lights will save us money on our electric bill. Less usage of our appliances will make them last longer, save on utility bills and minimize our work load. Purchasing products with less packaging will contribute to the health of our families, as we eat fresher and less processed foods. For each personal action we take to save the environment, there is a personal outcome that helps our own economy and lifestyle.

Take some time to think about the individual actions that you and your family can take to save the environment and then put them into practice. Driving less and choosing your shortest route saves time and money. Growing a home vegetable garden saves money and contributes to a better diet. There are dozens, if not hundreds of actions that we can all take to do our part for the environment. So, the next time your family complains that saving the environment is just too much trouble or too much work, remind them of the benefits, as well as the consequences!