Can you get by without shopping at a box retailer? Great, do that!
If you live in a larger city or in the suburbs, there are more options--- but you have to look for them.

Can you drive a smaller more fuel efficient car? Great, do that!
You might have to wait a few years to buy a new car, but you can sure encourage as many people as possible to buy a fuel efficient vehicle... and write LTTE and to the companies who are releasing these vehicles and show your support, even if you can not own one at the moment.

Can you recycle where you live? Ok, there's your contribution.
Again, you might have to do a search. If you can't find something, perhaps you can find others who are interested and either take turns taking your recycling to another town or work together to bring recycling to your town. It won't be an instant solution, but it will be worth it.

Can you buy one less junky crappy plastic toy your kid won't play with for more than an hour? Do THAT thing.
This is just a good idea anyway. We, all of us, have become a very throw-away, materialistic society. We all have so many htings... but do we really need all these things? There are at least four shows on tv that revolve around professional organizers helping people declutter their lives. I did a bit of reading and it seems that the number of professional organizers registered in the United States is also increasing at a fast rate (I apologize for not remembering the source of this reading.) I've been interested in perhaps making a side business of helping people declutter, so that is what led me to reading about this.

Can you walk to work one day?
This might be hard... but if you can't, can you carpool? Perhaps other eco-concerned people would be interested? If you work varying hours, perhaps it's just a carpool once or twice a week, but it's worth a shot.

Eat no meat one day a week?
Protein can be found in many food sources.

Buy local?
This might take research, but you'd be amazed at what gems you can find!

Grow a vegetable garden?
Even if you don't have a backyard, there are planter boxes in sizes that might allow for small gardens. You may not be able to grow a lot, but a few favorites might be possible.

Read the news online instead of getting a paper?
And if you do get papers and magazines... recycle!

Can you buy used, second hand, eBay, whatever?
Most towns and counties have thrift, consignment and charity stores. If it's a distance, carpool with others and make a day of getting all your eco-friendly shopping done (this may also encourage those who are carpooling with you to do likewise!)

Can you turn your AC up or your heat down by just a FEW degrees?
In CA, they suggest keeping the temperature between 73-73 degrees, depending upon where you live. Check to see what is recommended in your area.When we get a bit chilly, we throw on a sweater. It's no big deal, unless there is a medical reason for particular temperature setting in your home.

Can you turn lights of in a room when you are not going to be in it?
Did your parents holler "Turn the lights off"?!?! I know mine did!

Can you think twice before making spur of the moment purchases that just add up to your personal 'junk pile'?
The same concept as not buying a ton of toys junior will only play with for an hour. We have personally stopped all impulse buying. it's tough, but it has simplified our lives so much. We went completely cold turkey. And with the cash savings, we're paying off more in our school loans, putting money away in savings and not having to declutter our home as often.




A few weeks ago, we went to an Earth Day Fair. They were passing out this "Green Guide" and it has been so helpful to us. See if you can find one in your area... or do what these people did and get a group of people together of like-mind, do the research and pull together a "Green Guide" of your own.






Now, as you can see from the front cover of the book, we live in the Los Angeles area. So, yes, we probably have way more options than people who live in smaller, less populated areas. I don't know what it's like to live in a smaller place where many of your neighbors don't share your same environmental concerns (the bushbots don't seem to take the environment too seriously... )

Best of luck to everyone!

kt