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Is the tree hugger still the standard image of all things green? I recently read an article in The Guardian asking ‘Do environmentalists hold back sustainable lifestyles? And it would appear that according to a new study from the United Nations Environment Programme, there are a great many of us who want to be greener, yet are put off by somewhat of a stereotypical stigma attached to all things environmental and eco-friendly. So thought it begged the question, 'Is the notion of sustainable living suffering from a bit of an image problem? And what can be done to change it'? These days’ words like eco-friendly and sustainable living are ingrained in our vocabulary and being seen to be environmentally aware and practising a greener lifestyle no longer conjures up the image of tie-dye wearing, tofu chomping, yurt dwelling member of the wayward and unwashed! Yet, the idea of being green is still a hard sell to many, as there is the belief that it involves a lot of sacrifice, such as going without the creature comforts we are all so used to. In this technological age of mp3 players, smart phones, HDTV and a 24-hour on the go existence, the environmental message seems to be getting lost on the masses. Initiatives promoting a greener and more sustainable lifestyle are popular, however they tend to be used by those who are switched on to the green message and who are doing what they can already. Connecting with those for whom environmental issues are not a priority is a much bigger challenge. The link between success and material possessions is still very much alive and well in the western world, and how we rank in the social pecking order is determined, if not actually, but psychologically, by the type of car we drive, the size of the TV we have, the holidays we take, the stores we shop in etc. But aside from being wrenched kicking and screaming away from the Nintendo DS and Sky+ in HD, and the mental image of turning into something akin to Swampy, there is one other major stumbling block on the road to making ‘green’ sexy! That being green is just; well it’s just too much of an effort isn’t it! Getting people to see the benefits of living a greener and more sustainable lifestyle over the stereotypical imagery is the challenge. So what can be done to alter the perception that being green means throwing away the comfortable and convenient trappings of 21st century living and reverting back to the days of “The Good Life”? Contrary to popular belief, we can still have our locally sourced, organically and ethically made cake and eat it! We can still have all the mod cons and creature comforts, help save the environment by reducing carbon emissions and save a few quid and maybe improve our health and wellbeing while we are at it. There are financial, physical, psychological, emotional and practical benefits to ‘being green’ and many involve very little effort at all! Simple things like for instance, pulling the plugs on unused appliances, using fresh air instead of the tumble dryer, (which granted in our current weather climate is easier said than done), turning off the lights when leaving a room, or even turning down the thermostat on the heating by just 1ºc will save a fortune on the electricity bill! The same can be said when food shopping, we all have to make the trek to the grocery store yet with just a little thought its possible to save cash and reduce our carbon footprint. The UK throws away approximately 8.3 million tonnes of food every year, costing the average family around £700 each! Planning meals and shopping accordingly could save over £50 a month per household! And it doesn’t stop there, thinking about what we purchase can all help towards reducing carbon emissions. For example, buying food with less packaging, or items that are wrapped in biodegradable or recycled/able materials, and using a bag for life at the checkout instead of plastic bags, all of these small things, can make a huge difference. Then there are the health benefits, everyone’s blood pressure soars a few points when faced with the gauntlet of the daily journey to work! The gridlock, the traffic lights, being cut up by another driver (who is equally frustrated and impatient), congestion charges, car-park fees! We may start the journey like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music but we end it like Stressed Eric, complete with the visible apoplectic vein throbbing away on the forehead! Try taking the train, bus, or tram/underground a couple of times a week, or even better walk or cycle in! Relax, enjoy the journey and improve the your health and the health of your wallet, all by leaving the car at home, and guess what, it saves on carbon emissions too! Not everything takes a monumental effort, if everyone did even just those few things, it would make a massive impact on our environment! And you never know, you might just feel inspired to take it a few steps further, and maybe get others involved too. Being green can be a great way of life, it saves money and saves the environment … (the tofu, yurt and mud-encrusted attire are entirely optional! )