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Going green is easier than you think. Use these simple tips to go green, one day at a time.
Put Your Kids on the School Bus
The school bus is more efficient and less polluting than driving your children to school. It also is the safest way for kids to travel.
Test-Drive an E-Bike
For short hops around town, ditch your car for an E-bike. Electric bicycles, or power assist bicycles, are great for short commutes, and decrease emissions. Powered by batteries, they boost pedal power.
Walk Around Town
Walking is great exercise, and it reduces our carbon footprint. New Urbanism makes it easier, but anyone can decide to walk if you only have to go a short distance.
Turn Off Those Lights
Save energy and money with energy conservation: the easiest thing to do is simply turn off those lights when you leave the room.
See a Show by a Musician Who's Going Green
Some of America's hottest musicians are going green, from using solar power and biodiesel to green building and carbon offsets. Check out their shows and tours.
Use Windows for Cross Ventilation
Keep homes and buildings cool with cross ventilation by opening windows or vents. You'll reduce energy and money used for air conditioning.
Go Laptop
When it's time to upgrade to a new computer, think laptop. Laptops use less energy than desktops. That's easy energy conservation.
Kill the Phantom Load
The surest way to kill a phantom load, otherwise known as the energy vampire effect or standby power or lopomo, low mode power, is to simply pull the plug.
Buy Biodynamic Wine
Biodynamic wine takes the principles of organic wines one step further, based on biodynamic agriculture. It is about vineyards in harmony with the Earth, and the wines are highly regarded.
Try a Natural Bug Spray
Instead of DEET-based insect repellents, try a natural herbal bug spray, which is less likely to be toxic.
Biodegradable Doggie Bags
Use biodegradable pet waste bags that will actually break down in the environment. New biodegradable plastics are becoming available.
Toss a Bottle in Your Toilet
The old folk wisdom that says place a brick in your toilet's water tank is partially correct, but needs a modern update. Try this easy water conservation tip to save water: place a water bottle in your toilet tank.
Watch That Thermostat
Many people forget that minding the thermostat in summer can be nearly as important as doing so in winter. Here are some simple suggestions for saving money on air conditioning cooling.
Pack a Safe, Effective Sunscreen
Choose a safe, natural sunscreen that gives you effective protection, but does not contain potentially harmful chemicals.
Choose a Green College
Many colleges and universities are going green these days, by recycling, employing green building, energy efficiency, water conservation and much more.
Salute Organic Wines
Since grapes are among the most pesticide-laden produce, it's no wonder we are reaching more often for organic wines and biodynamic wines to fill our glasses. Here's a simple guide to what different organic labels mean.
Play Locally
Cut down on carbon emissions and rediscover the joys of your own community, instead of jet-setting off into the distance at the first sign of a three-day weekend.
Chill the Laundry
The higher the temperature of the water, the more electricity you're running and the higher the cost in terms of both energy use and money. So wash your clothes in cold water.
Jump into the (Car) Pool
Feeling pain at the pump? Car pool. You'll save time and money, as well as carbon emissions, when you pair up with friends to get to work or school.
Update the Bulbs
This one is a no-brainer: Swap your old incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents. Your lighting energy efficiency will be greatly improved, and you'll save money. Your electricity bills will go down.
Switch to a Corded Phone
Switch from a cordless telephone to a corded telephone. You'll save energy, and be ready for emergencies. That's smart energy efficiency.
Turn Your Computer Off at Night
Save energy and boost your energy efficiency by turning off your computer at night, or when you won't use it for more than two hours.
Recycle Your Cell Phone
The average lifespan for a cell phone is eighteen months. On average 130 million are retired annually in the U.S. alone. Here are some ways to cut back on toxic e-waste.
Get the Organic Buzz
Sales of organic beers are surging, and grew out of the popular microbrewery movement.
Celebrate a Green Independence Day
Independence Day, Fourth of July, is a great time to celebrate. Make your holiday greener by avoiding toxic fireworks and reducing resource consumption.
Check the Temperature in Your Fridge and Freezer
Save energy, and money, by making sure your refrigerator and freezer are not set too cold. The EPA recommends keeping refrigerators at 37 degrees F and freezers at 3 degrees. Use a weather thermometer to check the temperatures.
Green Your Coffee
Choose fair trade, organic and shade-grown coffee. Your choice of coffee can have a global impact.
Take a Green Vacation
Planning a vacation or holiday? Ecotourism makes it easy for going green. Opt not to have your hotel linens and towels laundered daily and take public transit.
Dad Was Right About Those Lights
It seems so simple, but turning off lights when you leave the room can save a lot of energy.
Water Plants in the Morning
Save water, and make plants stronger and healthier, by watering in the morning. It's an easy water conservation tip.
Slash Your Food Miles
It takes a tremendous amount of fossil fuel to transport foods from far-flung locales to your grocer's shelf. That's one reason more and more people are adding locally sourced foods to their diet.
Avoid Overnight Shipping
Avoid rush delivery and overnight shipping. Ground transportation means less fuel use and pollution, meaning less impact in terms of carbon emissions and global warming.
Detox Your Kid's Room
Look for low VOC paints for better indoor air quality. Start with bedrooms, which are the most important place to limit off gassing.
4 Steps to a Local Menu
Eating local food is better for the planet and you. Here are some tips how.
Zap VOCs with Houseplants
A number of common houseplants have been shown to remove harmful chemicals from indoor air. Use them to sop up those VOCs, volatile organic compounds.
Gas Prices Got You Down? Use Cruise Control
Save gas by using your cruise control, which will hold your speed constant, using fuel more efficiently.
Park in the Shade
Decrease fuel lost to evaporation, reduce the need for a/c and stay more comfortable by parking your car in the shade.
The DIY Energy Audit
Do you tremble when you open your monthly utility bills? If so, it's probably time for an energy audit -- an assessment of your home's energy efficiency to identify these problem areas and help you troubleshoot them.
Green Your Shower Curtain
PVC vinyl shower curtains can off gas phthalates and other VOCs that may be potentially carcinogenic. Get a green natural fabric curtain instead for better indoor air quality. Try organic cotton or bamboo.
Fuel When It's Cool
Cut down on harmful emissions and smog by decreasing the amount of fuel lost to evaporation. Fill up with gas in the morning or evenings, when it's cool.
Get an Energy Star Air Conditioner
Save money and energy with an Energy Star air conditioner.
Silence Your Bug Zapper
Electric mosquito zappers are woefully inefficient at killing the pesky insects, while they decimate beneficial bugs. CO2-based attractors work better but are pricey.
Cook Your Food, Not Your Kitchen
When it's hot, save on energy, and feel more comfortable, with these simple suggestions. You can save money on air conditioning in the kitchen.
Microwave in Glass
For health reasons, it's safer to opt for heat-resistant glass or ceramic containers for use in microwaves. Avoid microwaving plastics. It's also greener.
Fans Beat the Heat
Fans are much cheaper, easier to install and use less energy than central air-conditioning. Here are some tips to make the most of the tried-and-true technology.
Don't Idle Away Your Car's Gas
Boost your gas mileage and reduce pollution-causing emissions (and greenhouse gases) by avoiding idling in your car. Don't idle away fuel economy.
Give Farmers the Business
There are more than 4000 farmers' markets in the United States, many filled with heirloom varieties of fruits, vegetables, meats and more that make your taste buds soar. Eat fresh, local foods.
Consider a Hybrid Grill
Hybrid grills combine the efficiency of electric grills and the great smoky taste of charcoal or wood grilling.
Install a Solar Water Heater
Solar hot water heaters are more affordable and easier to install than solar electric panels, but they still save you money while helping the planet.
For Your Health, Skip Polystyrene (Styrofoam) Cups and Plates
You might have heard that polystyrene (Styrofoam) was bad for the environment, but did you also know that it can leach toxic chemicals into food or drink? Choose better alternatives instead.
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