How many of you live a green lifestyle? Meaning, you recycle and try to reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible? I recycle at home and the company I work for tries to stay green with the amount of energy they use and stuff, but thats about as far as I go with it. I would never drive a Prius but I would put solar panels on my home.

 

My wife's job is home energy conservation, so it's at top of mind. Trying to use less electricity in the home mainly. That's about the only thing I contribute, keeping our oversized home at a stable, enjoyable 65-68º year round.



The company she works for actually leased 50+ Prius for the field staff who drive all the time. It was cheaper in the long run than paying them $0.55/mile reimbursement for their own vehicle. Some of the guys are backwoods, redneck hunters (think Duck Dynasty) with a nice lift and big tires on their trucks. Even they have made comments that the Prius is a reasonable car for someone who drives a lot. Getting 50mpg when prices are $3.50-$4 will make you see things differently.

 

I would love to do a solar project for my home.



I actually would love a fun electric car. Instant torque FTW. But I won't drive something like a Prius.

 

lol... instant torque from that 45hp engine.



The Volt is 50/50. Uses electric til the battery dies then uses gas.

 

I said a fun electric car. Nothing with 45hp allowed. And I'm not spending a bazillion dollars on it like a Tesla or similar.



I would like a hybrid with one set of wheels being driven by an internal combustion engine and the other by electric wheel motors. It makes good sense.

 

Give the choice between two 100% equal benefit, same cost items, I'll choose the greener one. I will not pay more for "green", "organic", "free-trade", etc...



This does not mean I believe "green" products should be as cheap as Chinese made crap that kills babies. This means I think Chinese crap should be taxed into oblivion to be made as expensive as "green" products. People buy non-green and Chines stuff because it's cheaper, not because it's as good. So, eliminate that incentive. Lets turn all Walmarts into parks, homeless shelters or sports arenas while we're at it.

 

I think the best contribution I make to being green is just not being an idiot with energy usage. Don't leave lights and computers running all the time, don't be lazy and use the car for five minute trips, don't buy obviously bad stuff like Cobra mentioned.





I love the idea of passive solar design when it comes to houses. Green aside, I think it's super neat to have a house that's just always phr3sh and comfortable without blasting a/c and heating through it all the time.

 

I wish someone would develop solar windows that could be used in skyscrapers to generate electricity to power the building. There's limited area on a roof for panels, but windows are so plentiful in buildings it would be great to have a way to collect that energy while having a transparent view out of a window.

 

as an HVAC-R mechanic, I DO NOT support this comment. lol



I recycle, own fuel efficient cars and don't waste energy. I can't say I go out of my way to be green, but will choose to be green when no extra effort/money is required.

 

I live the green lifestyle.