Dare to Know Your Footprint

    The daily buzz always seems to be about the weather and the environment.  One day it's 75 outside and the next you're pulling your heavy coat and gloves back out of the closet.  What's all this about? Well of course it's global warming.  Now I realize that there are people out there who just don't believe in this complete breakdown of the climate, but really, let's face the facts.  Whether you believe it or not any average Joe with a thermometer knows that the weather has been in a spiral for quite awhile. 
    We all know that there are only a handful of scientists and environmentalist out that, but the masses can help with this problem, too.  Everyday we all leave behind our footprints.  Some are physical and others are emotional.  Your footprints can be found on beaches in the warm sand and on the hearts of your friends and loved ones, but they can also be found etched deeply into the environment around you.  These footprints are your carbon footprints, and it's essential for each and every one of us to minimize that footprint because unlike those warm imprints we leave on the hearts of others, this footprint is burned into the world leaving a mark that cannot be erased.
    The definition of a carbon footprint is something along the lines of the amount of carbon emission released by one person.   These emissions are the ultimate cause of global warming and with a few simple steps anyone can reduce their so called footprint.  One of the easiest ways to reduce this footprint is to cut back on the amount of meat you eat.  Now by no means I am telling anybody to go out and become a vegetarian, but every now and then order a veggie dish at a restaurant where you frequently go.  You've most likely tried all the dishes they serve expect the ones in the veggie section so branch out and save the environment while you're at it.
    So you may not like the vegetarian kick, but no fear there are many other things you can do to reduce, reuse, and recycle ( Haha, Just needed to add that slogan in somewhere).  Make sure you turn the lights off when you leave a room. Try to unplug your appliances when you're not using them.  Not only will these simple steps leave you with a less noticeable footprint, but your electric bill should start to decrease, and everybody likes to save money unless you're Lindsay Lohan.  
    I'm probably going to sound like an environmental freak, but in all seriousness we need to take care of what we have.  It's like a new car.  You clean it and polish the outside.  You put the right oil and gas in it and have it checked regularly at the local mechanic.  Just do the same thing with the Earth.  It's everybody's dream car with the ultimate amount of space!  Cherish it.