for the skeptics out there...

For years there has been debate over the seriousness of global warming. There are many who feel that man-made global warming is hogwash and there is no scientific evidence to support it while others feel that it is a very serious problem that requires immediate attention. Some view Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” as a wake up call to the climate change crisis while others think it’s a political message with doomsday scare tactics. A recent article from the Wall Street Journal Opinion Column discusses the increased number of people who are skeptical on man made climate change including a number of well know international scientists and politicians many of whom openly doubt the science of human-caused global warming. And in a recent Guardian article, the results of a Pew poll of Americans revealed that only 49% of Americans believe the earth is getting warmer because of human activity.

So while top scientists, government officials and average Joes continue to debate this issue, you may be wondering whether or not it’s worth your time and effort to live greener. Here are five reasons to live greener even if you’re not worried about global warming.

1. Living greener can save you money. Making small changes in your every day life to live greener doesn’t have to cost a lot and over time can save you lots of money. Investing in a few reusable water bottles and coffee mugs can save you tons of money you might otherwise spend on individual servings of bottled water and coffee house coffee. Replacing your light bulbs with more energy-efficient ones and turning off lights and electronics when not in use, uses less electricity and saves money on your electric bill. Fixing water leaks in your home and conserving water saves money on your water bill.

2. If you live greener, you’ll probably be healthier. Eating less meats, processed foods and fast food is not only a greener way to live but it will help you to live a healthier life. Riding your bike or walking to your destination, cuts back on your gas usage and provides you with a great opportunity for exercise.

3. By living greener, you can protect marine life and wild animals. When plastic items are not recycled or disposed of properly they pose a risk of entanglement, suffocation, choking or internal damage to marine animals and wildlife who mistake plastic items as food. By recycling as much as possible and disposing of other items correctly you can reduce this risk to animals and marine life.

4. There is a limited amount of space in landfills. In many areas of the U.S. it is estimated that landfills will begin to run out of space in the next 10 – 20 years and in many places there are environmental laws in place which prohibit the building of new landfills. By following the three R’s (reduce, reuse and recycle) you can reduce the amount of trash you contribute to landfills and help increase the usability of current landfills.

5. Living greener doesn’t mean you have to give up living. By making simple changes in your lifestyle you can live greener without much personal sacrifice. Simply by reducing your waste, recycling, not buying unnecessary items and conserving energy & water you can make a huge impact on the environment and still live your life. You’ll also be setting a great example for others who might also start to live greener.

So even if you don’t think global warming is a serious issue, you can still reap huge benefits from living a greener life. And what’s the harm in that?