How the U.S. Is Going Green

Global warming has grown into a large, important problem across the world. Record heat waves and endangered polar bears are only a few reasons why people are paying attention. The United States is taking many green initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint.

Biofuel

• Biofuel represents a change being made across the country. Farmers are growing extra corn and crops (such as sweet potatoes) to convert into fuel. In April at Colorado's Stratton Equity Coop Station, the first blender pump was introduced. This is the first of nine pumps that will give the general public access to such fuel. As of 2008 biodiesel alone (one form of biofuel) sold over 700 million gallons in one year.

Renewable Energy

• The Obama administration is pushing for the country to become more energy independent with renewable sources. Wind and solar farms are popping up across the country. This is because energy companies must have at least 30 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2020, according so specific state laws. (This requirement varies from state to state.)

Grants

• Grants are available through the United States government to help small businesses go green. For example, farmers and small businesses in rural areas can apply for low-rate loans to use to construct wind turbines or to switch over to energy-efficient appliances and systems through the USDA's Rural Energy for America program.

Recycling

• According to America Recycles Day, U.S. households recycle 33 percent of their waste as of 2010. This number has nearly doubled over the last 15 years. Many cities and towns require citizens to recycle. Recycling is picked up from homes and must be separated by the type of products. Those who don't recycle where there is a law will be fined. Also, groups such as Keep America Beautiful work to help communities set up recycling programs and to keep America clean. In 2009 Keep America Beautiful recycled more than 14,500,000 pounds of aluminum and steel alone.

Dependency

• Going green is not the easiest task in America because the country is oil-dependent. The United States accounts for 25 percent of the world's daily oil usage. This dependency has not only led to an excessive need for oil but wars over oil in the Middle East and a number of spills such as the BP oil spill of 2010. These problems are dangerous for both people and the environment in general and demonstrate the need for Americans to make a conscious effort to use less oil. Energy resources will not last if people do not cut back their oil use as well.