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Barack Obama's stimulus plan, which was signed at the end of February, has been heralded as a "landmark in America's transition to a lower carbon economy." Senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, Joseph Romm, stated that:
Years from now, long after the economy has recovered, this moment may well be remembered as the time that progressives...began the transition to a sustainable economy built around green jobs.
Certainly, the programs included in the stimulus plan are exciting. From a high-speed rail system to the development of the smart grid, EPA cleanup projects to a greener military and state department, the plan will help make government, and ultimately the nation, more eco-friendly and less reliant on fossil fuels. Though most individuals won't be getting money to help green their lifestyles, we can monitor how the stimulus is spent and keep the spirit alive with some cheap and easy projects of our own.
So, collect the tax money you saved by going green last year and reinvest it into a greener 2009:
- Starting small, try greening your home for under $100 or under $10. Even renters can make their living space more eco-friendly on cheap.
- You don't have to buy a hybrid to make your driving habits greener. Keeping your car in tune, carpooling, and many other things can help reduce the impact of driving.
- Going green doesn't have to cost you money. We all know that "free is better than cheap," but by organizing a yard sale, getting down with green tech, gardening or recycling, or even dumpster diving, you can actually be green and make money.
So get in the spirit of recovery: start going green on a budget today.
