One might not have expected the following feature in the online Washington Post last Sunday but there it was -- a very helpful, illuminating story on "The Myths of Going Green." Below are the ten myths that the paper printed first as a teaser. Read through them and then afterward I'll give you the link to Pat Mertz Esswein's debunking of those myths. As he puts it, "We reveal the truth behind the hype, plus how much money you may be wasting by buying into it."1. Never leave the lights on when you leave a room.
2. You can trust product labels that say "green," "eco-friendly," "earth smart" and the like.
3. Switching to solar is a great way to achieve energy savings.
4. Energy savings (and tax credits) will eventually pay for replacement windows.
5. "Biodegradable" products that return to their natural state save landfill space.
6. You'll recoup the higher price you pay for a hybrid car in savings at the pump.
7. It's worth paying 20 to 40 percent extra to buy organic because the food is healthier.
8. You can reduce your carbon footprint by eating locally grown foods.
9. You can neutralize your share of greenhouse-gas emissions by purchasing carbon offsets.
10. New homes are more energy-efficient than older homes.
And here's the real deal behind these myths.
