Everybody is talking global warming, the greenhouse effect, carbon emissions, holes in the ozone, air and water polution, the melting of the polar icecaps, and rising sea levels. Scary huh?

So what can you do to help? You can start by going green. All you have to do is take a look at the products you use every day and make a point of using only those things that are environmentally friendly.

Going green means getting in the habit of recycling, using alternative energy sources, driving fuel efficient cars, and controling our urge to purchase things that will harm the environment when they are no longer usable.

When you recycle, many items that are harmful to the environment won't end up littering our streets and highways, vacant lots, our forests, rivers, lakes, and oceans, or end up in already saturated landfills.

We see the recycle symbol on plastic cans and jugs, aluminum foil and other products, newspaper, glass, cardboard, magazines, iron, copper, used oil, and old car batteries. Even the smallest amount of recycling can go a long way in helping to save the earth.

Hybrid cars are the wave of the present, and the future. Although the technology for hybrid cars is relatively new, and under developed and utilized, many people are being forced to turn to hybrids because gas prices are so high.

With more and more hybrid cars being driven on our streets and highways today, all the major automobile manufacturers are gearing up and competing for their share of the hybrid car market.

Major investments in alternative energy sources, such as wind turbines, hydro-electric, nuclear, bio-deisel, geo-thermal, and solar power are in full development as many industrialized countries are trying to get away from total dependence of the use of fossil fuels.

Instead of driving, many people are using public transportation, trains, buses, and metro-rail links to conserve energy.

To stop, or slow down, the effects of the overuse of our natural resources, we must all get involved. We must learn to appreciate our environment, understand that the earth is our only home, and we must all do our part to take care of it.