Imagine that your school bag could tell a story. Inside it, there might be a plastic bottle, a snack wrapped in paper, a phone charger, a bus ticket, a lunch box, or something you bought last week and have already forgotten. None of these things looks very significant on its own. However, every object has a journey: it was made somewhere, travelled somewhere, used energy, needed water, and may become waste one day. This is where green living begins – not with one huge heroic action, but with noticing the small choices we make every day.
Green living does not mean living perfectly. Instead, it means making more careful, more eco-friendly choices in everyday life. An eco-friendly action is one that is not harmful to the environment. For example, switching off unused lights, carrying a reusable bottle, or choosing local food can all become eco-friendly habits. These habits help people protect the natural world around them – the air, water, land, plants and animals. Therefore, a green lifestyle begins when people understand that their daily choices can either waste resources or help save them.
One essential part of green living is using less energy and water. Homes need power for lamps, computers, washing machines and other devices. Moreover, in colder countries, heating also uses a lot of energy. People can cut down on energy use by turning off devices, using natural light during the day and keeping rooms warm without overheating them. They can also avoid wasting water. Although a running tap may not look like a serious problem, it can waste many litres of water in a short time. When people save water, use tap water instead of buying drinks in plastic bottles, and repair leaking taps, they make a real difference.
Transport is another vital part of green life. In many cities, too many cars create noise, dirty air and long traffic jams. Each vehicle needs fuel or electricity; as a result, many short car journeys could be replaced by cleaner options. People can cycle, walk, use public transport, or choose carpooling when several people are going in the same direction. To share a ride is not only practical; it also helps reduce car use. In addition, some towns create car-free streets where people can walk safely, enjoy cleaner air, and feel closer to the place where they live. This is also part of responsible travel – moving from place to place in a way that respects nature, local people and public spaces.
Green living is also closely connected with shopping. Modern life often teaches people to buy quickly and then throw things away. However, mindful shopping asks a different question: “Do I really need this?” A mindful shopper thinks before buying. They may borrow tools or books instead of buying new ones, share things with neighbours, or choose second-hand clothes and furniture. They may carry a reusable bag instead of taking a new plastic one each time. Furthermore, some people try zero waste, which means they try to throw away as little rubbish as possible.
Food choices matter too. Buying local products can support nearby farmers and reduce the distance food travels before it reaches the table. Local food is often fresher, and it connects people with the area where they live. Some also choose organic food because it is produced without many artificial chemicals. Although these choices may not be possible for everyone all the time, even small ones can help.
Some families go much further and choose off-grid living. This means they live in homes that are not connected to public electricity, water or gas systems. An off-grid home may use solar panels, collect rainwater, and produce less waste. This way of life requires planning and hard work, so it is not suitable for everyone. Nevertheless, it shows how people can rethink their relationship with energy, water, and the land.
Green life is not about one perfect solution. Rather, it is about many small green choices made again and again.
Green living does not mean living perfectly. Instead, it means making more careful, more eco-friendly choices in everyday life. An eco-friendly action is one that is not harmful to the environment. For example, switching off unused lights, carrying a reusable bottle, or choosing local food can all become eco-friendly habits. These habits help people protect the natural world around them – the air, water, land, plants and animals. Therefore, a green lifestyle begins when people understand that their daily choices can either waste resources or help save them.
One essential part of green living is using less energy and water. Homes need power for lamps, computers, washing machines and other devices. Moreover, in colder countries, heating also uses a lot of energy. People can cut down on energy use by turning off devices, using natural light during the day and keeping rooms warm without overheating them. They can also avoid wasting water. Although a running tap may not look like a serious problem, it can waste many litres of water in a short time. When people save water, use tap water instead of buying drinks in plastic bottles, and repair leaking taps, they make a real difference.
Transport is another vital part of green life. In many cities, too many cars create noise, dirty air and long traffic jams. Each vehicle needs fuel or electricity; as a result, many short car journeys could be replaced by cleaner options. People can cycle, walk, use public transport, or choose carpooling when several people are going in the same direction. To share a ride is not only practical; it also helps reduce car use. In addition, some towns create car-free streets where people can walk safely, enjoy cleaner air, and feel closer to the place where they live. This is also part of responsible travel – moving from place to place in a way that respects nature, local people and public spaces.
Green living is also closely connected with shopping. Modern life often teaches people to buy quickly and then throw things away. However, mindful shopping asks a different question: “Do I really need this?” A mindful shopper thinks before buying. They may borrow tools or books instead of buying new ones, share things with neighbours, or choose second-hand clothes and furniture. They may carry a reusable bag instead of taking a new plastic one each time. Furthermore, some people try zero waste, which means they try to throw away as little rubbish as possible.
Food choices matter too. Buying local products can support nearby farmers and reduce the distance food travels before it reaches the table. Local food is often fresher, and it connects people with the area where they live. Some also choose organic food because it is produced without many artificial chemicals. Although these choices may not be possible for everyone all the time, even small ones can help.
Some families go much further and choose off-grid living. This means they live in homes that are not connected to public electricity, water or gas systems. An off-grid home may use solar panels, collect rainwater, and produce less waste. This way of life requires planning and hard work, so it is not suitable for everyone. Nevertheless, it shows how people can rethink their relationship with energy, water, and the land.
Green life is not about one perfect solution. Rather, it is about many small green choices made again and again.
Key vocabulary:
1. Understanding Green Living
eco-friendly — [ˈiː.kəʊˌfrend.li] — not harmful to the environment; videi draudzīgs
eco-friendly habits — [ˌiː.kəʊˈfrend.li ˈhæb.ɪts] — regular actions that do not harm the environment; videi draudzīgi paradumi
environment — [ɪnˈvaɪ.rə.mənt] — the natural world around us, including air, water, land, plants and animals; vide
green — [ɡriːn] — connected with protecting the environment; videi draudzīgs, zaļš
green choices — [ˌɡriːn ˈtʃɔɪ.sɪz] — choices that are better for the environment; videi draudzīgas izvēles
green living — [ˌɡriːn ˈlɪv.ɪŋ] — a way of life that helps protect the environment; videi draudzīgs dzīvesveids
protect — [prəˈtekt] — to keep someone or something safe from harm; aizsargāt
2. Using Less Energy and Water
avoid — [əˈvɔɪd] — to try not to do something or use something; izvairīties
cut down on — [ˌkʌt ˈdaʊn ɒn] — to use or do less of something; samazināt, lietot mazāk
energy — [ˈen.ə.dʒi] — power used for light, heat and machines; enerģija
heating — [ˈhiː.tɪŋ] — a system that makes a building warm; apkure
light — [laɪt] — brightness from the sun, a lamp or electricity; gaisma
power — [ˈpaʊ.ər] — energy used to make machines, lights and devices work; enerģija, elektroenerģija
save water — [ˌseɪv ˈwɔː.tər] — to use less water; taupīt ūdeni
tap — [tæp] — a piece of equipment that controls the flow of water; krāns
tap water — [ˈtæp ˌwɔː.tər] — water that comes from a tap; krāna ūdens
3. Green Transport Choices
car-free — [ˌkɑːˈfriː] — without cars or where cars are not allowed; bez automašīnām
carpooling — [ˈkɑːˌpuː.lɪŋ] — travelling in one car with other people who are going the same way; braukšana kopā vienā automašīnā
cycle — [ˈsaɪ.kəl] — to ride a bicycle; braukt ar velosipēdu
public transport — [ˌpʌb.lɪk ˈtræn.spɔːt] — buses, trains or trams used by many people; sabiedriskais transports
reduce car use — [rɪˌdjuːs ˈkɑː juːs] — to use a car less often; samazināt automašīnas izmantošanu
responsible travel — [rɪˌspɒn.sə.bəl ˈtræv.əl] — travel that respects nature, local people and places; atbildīga ceļošana
share a ride — [ˌʃeər ə ˈraɪd] — to travel in the same car with another person; braukt kopā ar kādu
traffic jam — [ˈtræf.ɪk dʒæm] — a long line of vehicles that move very slowly or cannot move; satiksmes sastrēgums
vehicle — [ˈvɪə.kəl] — a machine used for travelling from one place to another, for example a car, bus or lorry; transportlīdzeklis
Revise eco-travel vocabulary: The Green Talk: Navigating Eco-Travel with Respect
4. Green Shopping and Daily Choices
borrow — [ˈbɒr.əʊ] — to use something for a short time and then give it back; aizņemties
local — [ˈləʊ.kəl] — from or connected with the area where you live; vietējais
local food — [ˌləʊ.kəl ˈfuːd] — food produced near the place where it is sold or eaten; vietējā pārtika
mindful — [ˈmaɪnd.fəl] — careful and aware of what you are doing or choosing; apzināts, piesardzīgs
mindful shopping — [ˌmaɪnd.fəl ˈʃɒp.ɪŋ] — buying things carefully and not buying more than you need; apzināta iepirkšanās
off-grid — [ˌɒfˈɡrɪd] — not connected to public electricity, water or gas systems; nepieslēgts kopējiem tīkliem, autonoms
off-grid living — [ˌɒfˈɡrɪd ˈlɪv.ɪŋ] — living without public electricity, water or gas systems; autonoms dzīvesveids ārpus kopējiem tīkliem
organic — [ɔːˈɡæn.ɪk] — produced without many artificial chemicals; dabisks, bez ķimikālijām
reusable bag — [ˌriːˈjuː.zə.bəl bæɡ] — a bag that can be used many times; vairākkārt lietojama soma
reusable bottle — [ˌriːˈjuː.zə.bəl ˈbɒt.əl] — a bottle that can be used many times; vairākkārt lietojama pudele
second-hand — [ˌsek.əndˈhænd] — used by another person before; lietots
share — [ʃeər] — to use something together with other people; dalīties
zero waste — [ˌzɪə.rəʊ ˈweɪst] — a way of living that tries to throw away as little rubbish as possible; bezatkritumu dzīvesveids
eco-friendly — [ˈiː.kəʊˌfrend.li] — not harmful to the environment; videi draudzīgs
eco-friendly habits — [ˌiː.kəʊˈfrend.li ˈhæb.ɪts] — regular actions that do not harm the environment; videi draudzīgi paradumi
environment — [ɪnˈvaɪ.rə.mənt] — the natural world around us, including air, water, land, plants and animals; vide
green — [ɡriːn] — connected with protecting the environment; videi draudzīgs, zaļš
green choices — [ˌɡriːn ˈtʃɔɪ.sɪz] — choices that are better for the environment; videi draudzīgas izvēles
green living — [ˌɡriːn ˈlɪv.ɪŋ] — a way of life that helps protect the environment; videi draudzīgs dzīvesveids
protect — [prəˈtekt] — to keep someone or something safe from harm; aizsargāt
2. Using Less Energy and Water
avoid — [əˈvɔɪd] — to try not to do something or use something; izvairīties
cut down on — [ˌkʌt ˈdaʊn ɒn] — to use or do less of something; samazināt, lietot mazāk
energy — [ˈen.ə.dʒi] — power used for light, heat and machines; enerģija
heating — [ˈhiː.tɪŋ] — a system that makes a building warm; apkure
light — [laɪt] — brightness from the sun, a lamp or electricity; gaisma
power — [ˈpaʊ.ər] — energy used to make machines, lights and devices work; enerģija, elektroenerģija
save water — [ˌseɪv ˈwɔː.tər] — to use less water; taupīt ūdeni
tap — [tæp] — a piece of equipment that controls the flow of water; krāns
tap water — [ˈtæp ˌwɔː.tər] — water that comes from a tap; krāna ūdens
3. Green Transport Choices
car-free — [ˌkɑːˈfriː] — without cars or where cars are not allowed; bez automašīnām
carpooling — [ˈkɑːˌpuː.lɪŋ] — travelling in one car with other people who are going the same way; braukšana kopā vienā automašīnā
cycle — [ˈsaɪ.kəl] — to ride a bicycle; braukt ar velosipēdu
public transport — [ˌpʌb.lɪk ˈtræn.spɔːt] — buses, trains or trams used by many people; sabiedriskais transports
reduce car use — [rɪˌdjuːs ˈkɑː juːs] — to use a car less often; samazināt automašīnas izmantošanu
responsible travel — [rɪˌspɒn.sə.bəl ˈtræv.əl] — travel that respects nature, local people and places; atbildīga ceļošana
share a ride — [ˌʃeər ə ˈraɪd] — to travel in the same car with another person; braukt kopā ar kādu
traffic jam — [ˈtræf.ɪk dʒæm] — a long line of vehicles that move very slowly or cannot move; satiksmes sastrēgums
vehicle — [ˈvɪə.kəl] — a machine used for travelling from one place to another, for example a car, bus or lorry; transportlīdzeklis
Revise eco-travel vocabulary: The Green Talk: Navigating Eco-Travel with Respect
4. Green Shopping and Daily Choices
borrow — [ˈbɒr.əʊ] — to use something for a short time and then give it back; aizņemties
local — [ˈləʊ.kəl] — from or connected with the area where you live; vietējais
local food — [ˌləʊ.kəl ˈfuːd] — food produced near the place where it is sold or eaten; vietējā pārtika
mindful — [ˈmaɪnd.fəl] — careful and aware of what you are doing or choosing; apzināts, piesardzīgs
mindful shopping — [ˌmaɪnd.fəl ˈʃɒp.ɪŋ] — buying things carefully and not buying more than you need; apzināta iepirkšanās
off-grid — [ˌɒfˈɡrɪd] — not connected to public electricity, water or gas systems; nepieslēgts kopējiem tīkliem, autonoms
off-grid living — [ˌɒfˈɡrɪd ˈlɪv.ɪŋ] — living without public electricity, water or gas systems; autonoms dzīvesveids ārpus kopējiem tīkliem
organic — [ɔːˈɡæn.ɪk] — produced without many artificial chemicals; dabisks, bez ķimikālijām
reusable bag — [ˌriːˈjuː.zə.bəl bæɡ] — a bag that can be used many times; vairākkārt lietojama soma
reusable bottle — [ˌriːˈjuː.zə.bəl ˈbɒt.əl] — a bottle that can be used many times; vairākkārt lietojama pudele
second-hand — [ˌsek.əndˈhænd] — used by another person before; lietots
share — [ʃeər] — to use something together with other people; dalīties
zero waste — [ˌzɪə.rəʊ ˈweɪst] — a way of living that tries to throw away as little rubbish as possible; bezatkritumu dzīvesveids
Did you know?
1. Eco-friendly — the part eco- comes from the Greek word "oikos", meaning "house" or "home". Later, it became connected with ecology — the study of how living things and their “home”, the natural world, work together.
2. One of the oldest words in this unit is light. It comes from Old English "leoht", which meant “light” or “daylight”. People have used a form of this word for more than 1,000 years. Today, we still use it when we talk about sunlight, lamps and saving energy. So, eco-friendly literally suggests something that is “friendly to our home” — the planet.
3. In Ljubljana, Slovenia, the city centre has been closed to motor traffic since 2007. Today, it has one of the largest car-free areas in Europe, so car-free streets are part of everyday city life there.
4. One of the longest traffic jams in recorded history happened in China in 2010. It formed on China National Highway 110 and the Beijing–Tibet Expressway. The jam stretched for more than 100 kilometres and lasted for about 12 days.
5. One of the earliest public transport systems was started in Paris in 1662 by Blaise Pascal, the famous mathematician and philosopher. It used horse-drawn coaches that followed regular routes
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise how to express a warning and raise awareness — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you.
Discussion-Type Questions
1. Do you think schools should teach students more about eco-friendly habits? Why?
"Yes, I think schools should teach students more about eco-friendly habits because young people need to understand how their everyday choices affect the environment. People should be aware that wasting water, electricity and paper can harm nature over time. It is important to remember that small actions, such as recycling, using reusable bottles and turning off lights, can make a real difference. If people are not careful, pollution and waste may become bigger problems in the future. That is why schools should help students learn simple but responsible ways to live more sustainably."
2. Would you rather travel by public transport, bike or car? Explain your choice.
"I would rather travel by public transport because it is usually more eco-friendly than travelling by car. People should be aware that too many cars on the road can increase air pollution and traffic jams. I also think it is safer and more relaxing to take a bus or train, especially in a busy city. It is important to remember that using public transport can help reduce emissions, even if it is not always the fastest option. However, for short distances, I would choose a bike because it is healthy and does not pollute the air."
3. What can people do to save resources such as water and electricity?
"People can save resources by making small changes in their daily routines. For example, they can turn off lights when they leave a room, unplug chargers and take shorter showers. People should be aware that wasting water and electricity can increase both environmental problems and household costs. It is important to remember that these resources are not unlimited, so we should use them carefully. To reduce the risk, people should repair leaking taps, use energy-efficient devices and avoid leaving appliances on standby."
4. What is one green habit you already have? How does it help the environment?
"One green habit I already have is using a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles. People should be aware that single-use plastic can create a lot of waste and may harm animals if it ends up in nature. This habit helps the environment because I throw away less plastic and use fewer new materials. It is important to remember that even small choices can make a difference if many people do them every day."
5. How can communities encourage people to live more sustainably?
"Communities can encourage people to live more sustainably by organising clean-up days, creating safe cycling paths and placing more recycling bins in public areas. We should not ignore the fact that many people want to help the environment, however they need clear information and easy choices. There is a risk of people continuing old habits if sustainable options are too expensive or difficult. It is safer to make green choices simple, for example by improving public transport and supporting local repair shops. This should be taken seriously, as communities can strongly influence how people behave every day."
Revise useful vocabulary for expressing a warning and raising awareness: Climate Zones and the Powerful Language of Nature