'Go green', 'environmentally conscious', 'carbon footprint', 'recycle' ? words and phrases that we're hearing more and more in the media, in restaurants, in supermarkets and over our own dinner tables.

There's no doubt about it, the 'green revolution' is a hot commodity ? something that businesses are all trying to get a piece of and which those who consider themselves fashionable will tell you is an essential part to living. But what does it mean to be environmentally-friendly in our own dealings with life from day to day? Are marketers selling us the real deal?

Carbon footprint

Understanding how the production, packaging and transport of a product impacts on the environment is the beginning of understanding what its 'carbon footprint' is. Similarly, our own impact on the environment (which can be defined as our use of energy and product indirectly or directly relating to the use of fossil fuels) is what can be described as our carbon footprint.

By using fossil fuels such as petrol, diesel and coal, all of which emit carbon dioxide and other harmful gasses into the atmosphere, we are contributing to the decline of our natural environment.

It's all import-export

The carbon footprint of a product that is produced in Italy and transported all the way across the ocean to land on the supermarket shelf in South Africa will be far higher than the same foodstuff that is made and sold in South Africa. Take into account the energy it took to actually produce that product, then the energy it took to create its packaging and lastly, the energy it took to transport it.

Local really is lekker

To minimise your own impact on the environment, try to buy products that are made locally and which did not travel thousands of kilometres using petrol or coal to land on your supermarket shelf. Not only will you be supporting a greener world, you will also be saving yourself a few extra since local is mostly inexpensive if not just as high in quality. Moreso, supporting local product means helping South Africa?s own economy to grow.

So last season

Foods produced out of season are likely to be imported too and while it may be convenient to be able to buy avocados or the like all year round, the carbon emissions it took to get those babies to your supermarket shelf is a rather large price to pay for it.

From carnivore to omnivore

While we're on the subject of foods, it's important to mention that reducing the amount of meat you and your family consume can help to reduce the demand for mass produced meat products which are a large resource drain.

South Africans consume our fair share of meat product and our love of braai vleis and biltong means that meat is entrenched in our culture. You may consider this a hard one to change, but reducing the amount of meat you consume can have a positive impact on the environment as well as your health.

According to USA Today, the mass production of meat contributes in every aspect of carbon emissions, through the use of resources such as land for grazing, the large amount of resources and energy that is required to provide enough feed for this amount of livestock, through to the transport and processing of meat.

Consider replacing a mere two meat meals per week with vegetarian ingredients instead. Eating vegetables are a healthy alternative with many vegetable and legumes such as beans and lentils providing the protein you need.

Kippers

Fish can also be a good alternative to meats too, but bear in mind that fish stock in the ocean is in trouble too. Over 76% of the fish species in the ocean are exploited at unsustainable levels according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

The South Africa Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) suggests that we stick to eating species of fish which are not considered overfished. Examples of these are Hake, Dorado and Blueskin and Santer Seabream.

Travel time

Reducing the amount of time we spend in our cars is also a contribution we can make to reduce our gas emissions. Cars are amongst the main contributors to carbon gas emissions, so the less we use them, the better. Arrange a lift-club with fellow employees, or if your children go to school with kids that live nearby, organise a school taxi. Just one trip like this per day will ensure that you're doing your bit for the environment.

Fully charged

Another way of conserving energy is simply to unplug your cell phone charger when you're not using it. Your cell phone charger continues to draw power even when you unplug your cell phone from it. A way to reduce your own electricity costs is to make sure you unplug it or switch off the power at the wall when you're not using it. Likewise, keeping your geyser off when you don't need it will help you to save electricity and reduce the demand on energy.

Black old sun

Harness the energy the sun is generating to create the power you need in your household. Sunny South Africa has 2500 hours of sunshine each year ? more than enough to make solar power a perfect alternative to fossil fuel.

With the cost of electricity going up by 35% each year for the next three years, it's worth considering installing solar panels to ensure you avoid exorbitant (and continuous!) electricity bills or installing a solar-powered geyser.

Though the installation of solar power may be a large expense initially, your return will far exceed the expense in a few years. It is a worthwhile investment that will add value to your house in the long term too.

Recycle

If it can be recycled, do it. Glass, paper and plastic are all recyclable and kitchen waste is great for the garden. Recycling products means that we save natural resources and reduce the negative impact that landfill sites have on our environment.

The bottom-line: get educated and read as much as you can about what it means to have less impact on the environment. Going green is not only good for our environment, it's healthier for us. It makes sense in many ways ? health-wise, finance-wise and as a real investment for younger generations who will need to deal with the impact that those who have lived before them have had on the environment. Perhaps having one or two green resolutions can be for this latter reason alone ? simply a way of acknowledging and caring for our future grandkids.

Here are a couple of useful links to help you go green:

Your Carbon Footprint Calculator

Carbonfootprint.com

South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative

Reduce your carbon footprint

Unplugging your cell phone charger

South Africa's State of the Environment