Reducing greenhouse gases begins with each and every individual living on this planet. Need it be a radical lifestyle change? Green living isn't just about reducing pollutants in the atmosphere. And, green living isn't new or trendy. It's all about living simply so that we and others may simply live. Take a Green Inventory In order to address our individual contributions to air, water and soil pollution, we must first take a "Green Inventory". With pad and paper in hand, take a look around your home, office, town or city and note each instance or occurence of waste or improper use of natural resources. It can be as simple as a drippy faucet, clogged drain or as complex as how your town manages pollution. Does your town recycle? If so, how? Some towns recycle plastics, glass, aluminum, paper and colored paper inserts separately. Cardboard should also be separated from regular trash. Does your town have a hazardous waste recycling center to recycle old paint cans, anti-freeze, toxic cleaning fluids, etc.? Rubber tires should always be recycled. Over time wet weather breaks down rubber tire which forms runoff that ends up in your rivers, lakes and streams. Many new homes have installed residential wastewater disposal systems to recycle waste water used in watering lawns and from dishwashers, tubs, sinks and washing machines. These systems are interconnected allowing resusable "grey water" to discharge cleanly into sewer systems. In many areas, cleaner water is insured by installing a R/O (Reverse Osmosis) system. With these systems, it's necessary to replace the sediment and pre-carbon filters every 6 months and the post filter and membrane every year. Is the rating on your attic insulation R-38 or higher? Replace furnace filters for maximum efficiency and to insure cleaner indoor air quality. For greater efficiency and savings, look for HEPA furnace filters. They require replacement less often and are recylcable. Save another 3% of your energy costs by using an insulated water heater cover and basement piping insulation. With light bulbs, try compact fluorescent light bulbs. Consider....one of these installed in every home can save enough energy to light up to 5 million homes. Taking inventory at home is less complicated. Think "Recycle". If it can't easily be recycled, don't buy it. A good principle to follow is: "Earth to earth". Meaning, if it came from the good earth, make sure it can be safely recycled and returned from whence it came. A more astute attitude about disposal is an easy self-discipline. Try this exercise: For thirty days, reduce your disposables by 5%. Then, in sixty days, double that percentage. Continue until you have reached the most acute level possible. Keep track of your results. Don't forget that "Less is More". Less trash...more savings on trash disposal. Less trash...a bigger saving of the planet. Have the courage of your convictions that you want to reduce your carbon footprint. Consumerism has driven the costs for trash removal even as landfills close. We buy, buy, buy...often, what we don't need. Then, it quickly becomes trash. Don't believe it? Review a 12-month period of your personal consumerism, tally the cost. Then, after you've survived the shock, plan on how you can rein in the urge to spend on things that may contribute to more pollution. Whenever you shop, ask yourself: "Do I really need this? Spreading the Word on Green It's your planet. Never fear that you can't make a difference to your community. Get involved with projects in your town that promote Green Living. If there isn't one, start one. The easiest place to begin is with children. Educate them as to the basics of Green Living and how they can reduce their own little carbon footprints by introducing "Green" programs or encouraging your town to do so. Create Green Groups in your town or with neighbors, discussing how to implement cost savings by reducing energy use and pollution. Pollution Costs The Green equation is simple: Less pollution plus less energy use equals savings to individuals and government. Economies suffering from a financial credit crunch can look to Green Living as one way to reduce costs. Saving rather than spending is always preferred as a means to financial stability.  Credit Cruncher is a feature writer on www.creditcrunchsaver.co.uk