Go Green

<p> Hey Folks~ </p> <p> So I am not sure if anyone has caught the new channel on cox cable. Channel 103 is the Green Channel. It has all kinds of shows about going green &amp; saving the environment. I would highly recommend checking it out. </p>

<p> Unclutter your home and score free stuff Simple freecyling rules: Be legal, be honest, be clean, be safe </p> <div class="p14"> <div> </div> <div class="WCCol w300 fR clrR"> </div> <div class="CCol w160 fR clrR"> <img src="http://switch.atdmt.com/action/msnus_msnbc_business_040607" /> </div> <div class="mR165"> <div> <div class="textMedBlackBold"> By Laura T. Coffey </div> <div class="textMedBlack"> MSNBC contributor </div> <div class="textTimestamp"> updated 6:03 a.m. PT, Tues., June. 3, 2008 function UpdateTimeStamp(pdt) { var n = document.getElementById(&quot;udtD&quot;); if(pdt != &#39;&#39; &amp;&amp; n &amp;&amp; window.DateTime) { var dt = new DateTime(); pdt = dt.T2D(pdt); if(dt.GetTZ(pdt)) {n.innerHTML = dt.D2S(pdt,((&#39;&#39;.toLowerCase()==&#39;false&#39;)?false:true));} } } UpdateTimeStamp(&#39;633480949820900000&#39;); </div> </div> <p class="textBodyBlack"> getCSS(&quot;3027626&quot;) My husband and I recently ate dinner at the home of a friend who had just relocated and settled into her own place. We complimented her on her new digs, which featured a stunning white couch and loveseat, nifty red throw pillows, and an attractive dining room table with matching chairs. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> After each detail we noticed and admired, our friend smiled triumphantly. &quot;Free!&quot; &quot;Free!&quot; &quot;Free!&quot; she chirped again and again. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> It turns out that our friend is a master freecycler. This led to a big discussion about freecycling over our spaghetti dinner that night - and it got me thinking about this column. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> &quot;Freecycle&quot; rhymes with &quot;recycle&quot; for a reason. The term means &quot;free recycling&quot; - as in, giving stuff away and obtaining stuff free of charge from folks who live in your area. In addition to saving people hundreds if not thousands of dollars, freecycling is good for the environment because it keeps oodles of junk out of landfills. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> The freecycling concept isn&#39;t new; the <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/">Freecycle Network</a> actually got its start about five years ago. But … have you tried freecycling yet? If not, why not? The following tips can help you get started. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> <b><strong>1. Know how to begin.</strong></b> You can find a local group of freecyclers through the Freecycle Network. Once you join, you&#39;ll start getting e-mail messages listing offered, wanted and accepted items. You&#39;ll see all sorts of items included in those postings, from furniture to lawn equipment to exercise gear to clothing to … you name it! </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> <b><strong>2. Brace yourself for a deluge of e-mail.</strong></b> You can create a separate folder where all Freecycle mail gets directed, or you can opt to receive daily digests once or twice a day. You also can simply check your group&#39;s online message board. The daily digests and the message board likely won&#39;t be as timely as the immediate e-mail messages, though, so you might miss out on items you want. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> <b><strong>3. Check out other recycling groups as well.</strong></b> You also can connect with like-minded recyclers through <a href="http://www.sharingisgiving.org/">Sharing Is Giving</a>, <a href="http://www.freecycleamerica.org/">FreeCycleAmerica.org</a>, the <a href="http://www.reuseitnetwork.org/">ReUseIt Network</a> and <a href="http://www.freesharing.org/">FreeSharing.org</a>. On the <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html">Craigslist site</a> for your part of the country, you&#39;ll find a &quot;free&quot; section under &quot;for sale.&quot; </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> <b><strong>4. Mind your manners and attitude.</strong></b> Always have an eye toward giving, not just receiving. For your first posting, offer to give something away rather than announce what you want. Also, don&#39;t try to trade or swap through freecycling sites; the idea is to give stuff away with no strings attached. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> <b><strong>5. Show respect in your postings.</strong></b> Respect people&#39;s time by keeping your postings brief. Also remember that this isn&#39;t a place to make personal attacks, spam people, solicit for money or share political views or religious beliefs. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> <b><strong>6. Keep it legal, honest and clean.</strong></b> Big posting no-no&#39;s include: pornography, alcohol, tobacco, drugs of any kind (including medicines, vitamins and creams), firearms and other weapons. Postings should be appropriate for all ages. Be up front about the age, condition and size of items you&#39;re giving away, and post photos if possible. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> <b><strong>7. Stay safe.</strong></b> Avoid posting personal information, such as your phone number or address, for strangers to see. With pickups and drop-offs, avoid going to a stranger&#39;s home by yourself or having a stranger come over if you&#39;re home alone. Instead, make arrangements to meet in a public place or be sure to have someone with you. You also could leave items outside for a recipient and just keep your door locked. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> <b><strong>8. Don&#39;t leave people hanging.</strong></b> Be punctual and thoughtful when it comes to scheduling pickups and drop-offs. If you&#39;re late or you fail to show up altogether, you&#39;ll be wasting someone else&#39;s time. Also, don&#39;t dally about picking up an item you&#39;ve accepted. Take it off the giver&#39;s hands within three days max. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> <b><strong>9. Examine items carefully.</strong></b> Remember, a big benefit of freecycling is the ability to unclutter your home. Before you make someone else&#39;s trash your treasure, make sure it functions the way it should. If it doesn&#39;t, how realistic are your chances of fixing it? Don&#39;t take it home if it will simply create more clutter. </p> <p class="textBodyBlack"> <b><strong>10. Decide how to handle multiple responses.</strong></b> If you post a popular item, you may be inundated with dozens of e-mail messages within minutes. What to do? One option is to give priority to a struggling local charity if such a charity responds. Another is to randomly draw a name from a hat. No matter what, don&#39;t just say, &quot;It&#39;s on the porch for whoever gets here first&quot; - that is, unless you want to cause some bad feelings. </p> </div> </div>

<p> <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/3915"><img class="imgBorder" src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/fuel-cool-TP-med.jpg" /></a><br /> <a class="greenHeadline" href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/3915">Fuel When It&#39;s Cool</a><br /> <img src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/design/headers/header_quickRead.gif" /><br /> </p> <ul> <li>Gas emissions cause smog and global warming. </li> <li>Heat increases evaporation. </li> <li>Fill up in the morning or evenings.<br /> <p> Cut down on gas emissions, which fill the air we breathe with ozone (smog) and contribute to global warming, simply by avoiding buying gas during the heat of the day, since heat increases evaporation. </p> <p> Know that gasoline smell when you drive into a station? That&#39;s the smell of gas emissions escaping from your tank, the other cars&#39; tanks and the pumps as everyone fills up. </p> <p> So breathe easier: fill up either early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature is cooler. </p> </li> </ul>

<p> I will admit that when I leave the office, I simply log out of my name and shut the monitor off on my computer. Even on Fridays, I don&#39;t turn my computer off (and I really don&#39;t even think about it). But I never calculated or even thought about how much energy is being wasted if I, and other co-workers, leave computers on when not in use. </p> <p> If you take a closer look at your building, you will discover ways you never thought that your building is wasting energy. You might think your new and improved energy-efficient systems are bringing down the energy bill, but think again. You could be missing the most obvious energy problems in your building, according to <a href="http://www.buildings.com">buildings.com.</a> </p> <ul> <li>Leaving electronics and appliances turned on. According to the <a href="http://www.doe.gov/">U.S. Department of Energy</a>, office equipment makes up about 16 percent of an office&#39;s energy use. Install power-management software that puts computers in &quot;sleep mode&quot; when idle. Encourage tenants/occupants to turn computers off before going home. Unplug things that aren&#39;t in use, such as phone chargers. </li> <li>Unneccessary vending machine cooling and lighting. Vending machines use energy 24/7 because they running constantly. Shut off refrigerated drink vending machines at night and on weekends (don&#39;t turn off refrigeration for foods that might spoil). </li> <li>Cleaning at night. In most buildings, the cleaning is done outside of peak business hours but janitorial staffs expend energy during these off-peak times. If cleaning can be done during the day without it being too disruptive, the building&#39;s energy systems can be turned down earlier at night. If cleaning during the day is not an option, ask custodial staff members to move through the building one room at a time, turning off lights when they finish each room. </li> <li>Covering up vents, grilles, etc. Tenants/occupants move furniture sometimes and accidentally or purposely block airflow. Many hot/cold complaints have to do with blocked diffusers. Send someone to walk through the building to ensure that the airflow is not being blocked. </li> <li>Dirty windows and skylights. Keep windows and skylights clean. Dirt and dust block daylight from entering, causing occupants to utilize more overhead lighting. </li> <li>Incandescent exit signs. Exit signs are usually not used often, and their locations overhead make them hard to reach. Exit signs that use fluorescent or incandescent lights use more power than LED lights. </li> </ul> <p> Although these are some of the most obvious ways of wasting energy, many of these problems never came to my mind. But I&#39;m pretty sure when I pack up tonight they will be remembered, and I will shut off my computer (even though it takes an extra few minutes to upload in the morning). </p>

<p> <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/energy-star-air-conditioner-460608"><img class="imgBorder" src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/aU/energy-star-ACMiami-md.jpg" /></a><br /> </p> <div> <a class="greenHeadline" href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/energy-star-air-conditioner-460608">Get an Energy Star Air Conditioner</a> </div> <div> </div> <div> <p> Buy an Energy Star-certified air conditioner, and you&#39;ll see substantial savings in energy bills, as well as high quality. </p> <p> When the heat is sweltering, cooling costs really add up across the country, so maximizing energy efficiency is a great way to decrease our carbon footprint -- and relieve stress on the over-taxed power grid. </p> <p> These days, many families also find that every energy dollar counts. Room air conditioners must be at least 10% more efficient than typical models to achieve Energy Star, and central air must be at least 14%. </p> </div>

<p> <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/4156"><img class="imgBorder" src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/bug-zapper-TP-med.jpg" /></a><br /> <a class="greenHeadline" href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/4156">Silence Your Bug Zapper</a><br /> <img src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/design/headers/header_quickRead.gif" /> </p> <ul> <li>Study: zapped 8 mosquitoes, 10,000 other insects. </li> <li>Only 0.22% of zapped bugs are pests. </li> <li>13% are insect predators and parasites. </li> <li>UV-based attraction fails. </li> <li>CO2 attractors work but are pricey.<br /> </li> </ul> <p> Don&#39;t use electric mosquito zappers, which several studies have shown to be woefully inefficient at killing the pesky insects, while they turn beneficial bugs into crispy carcasses. There are better ways to keep biting bugs at bay. </p> <p> When one Dateline NBC team took a closer look at a bug zapper, they counted only a paltry eight mosquitoes out of some 10,000 charred insects. Your zapper is much more likely to kill innocent, and ecologically important, moths, <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/2813">bees</a> and beetles. In fact, researchers have estimated that only 0.22% of bugs zapped are pests, while 13% are insect predators and parasites. </p> <p> Ironically, a study reported in Mosquito News showed that the probability of being bitten by mosquitoes increases in the vicinity of bug zappers. Part of the problem is that traditional zappers merely emit UV light as an attractant, although mosquitoes could care less about that spectrum. Newer models, such as the Mosquito Magnet, release CO2, which does excite the biting bugs. They work better, but do cost hundreds of dollars. </p>

<p> <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/4504"><img class="imgBorder" src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/cook-food-TP-med.jpg" /></a><br /> <a class="greenHeadline" href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/4504">Cook Your Food, Not Your Kitchen</a><br /> </p> <ul> <li>When cooking, keep your kitchen door closed. </li> <li>Save baking for cooler times. </li> <li>Keep oven doors closed. </li> <li>Combine cooking tasks.<br /> <p> When you&#39;re preparing a meal and it&#39;s sweltering outside, keep the door to your kitchen closed. Also limit the time ovens and other high-heat appliances are open. You may even want to save baking and other major culinary undertakings for cooler times, such as mornings and evenings. </p> <p> As anyone who has slaved over a stove knows, cooking can be hot work. Not only will you tire yourself out faster when it&#39;s really hot, but you can end up making the rest of the house less comfortable or having to use more energy for more cooling. More energy means more carbon emissions, not to mention higher bills. </p> <p> Every time you open your oven you lose 25 to 50 degrees, which not only requires more energy to reheat, but means all that hot air is moving into your living space. Also consolidate dishes in the oven, or cook in immediate succession -- heating the oven itself typically uses 94 percent of the energy, while cooking the food is only 6 percent! When you are finished, keep that oven door closed. </p> </li> </ul>

<p> <img class="imgBorder" src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/fan-season-TP-med.jpg" /><br /> Fans Beat the Heat<br /> <img src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/design/headers/header_quickRead.gif" /><br /> </p> <ul> <li>Fans use 90% less energy than central air. </li> <li>They make rooms feel 7 to 10 degrees cooler. </li> <li>A/C has major eco drawbacks. </li> <li>Look for Energy Star fans. </li> </ul> <p> <img src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/design/layout/quickRead_side.gif" /> <img src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/design/layout/quickRead_bottom.gif" /> <img src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/design/buttons/btn_alltips.gif" /> </p> <div> <p> For a less environmentally destructive way than air-conditioning to stay comfortable in the heat, choose a portable or ceiling fan. Fans use 90% less energy than central air, and make rooms feel seven to ten degrees cooler because of the process of evaporation. </p> <p> Sure, central air feels great, and, yes, it can help save the lives of the elderly or frail, who are sensitive to high heat. But it is also extremely energy intensive, and still typically relies on ozone-damaging fluorocarbons. Central air-conditioning is also prohibitively expensive for many who live in old structures or who are on tight budgets. </p> <p> The best choice is an <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/892">Energy Star</a>-rated fan. Those ceiling fan/light combination units that receive the federal designation are about 50 percent more efficient than conventional models and will save you $15 to $20 per year on your utility bills. See a list of thirty companies that offer them <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/">here</a>. </p> <p> Most modern ceiling fans can also be run in reverse when it&#39;s cold, pushing warm air down from high spaces. Learn more <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/3564">here</a>. </p> <p> Don&#39;t forget to turn your fans off when you aren&#39;t using them. </p> </div>

<p> Home owners are attracted to the idea that they can help the earth by making smarter purchases and lifestyle decisions. Here are a few products you may not be familiar with: </p> <p> 1) Chemical-free lighting. Light emitting diodes (LED) may just be a beacon for the future of residential lighting. They contain no hazardous chemicals like other lighting does. In addition, a LED fixture uses 80 percent less energy than a traditional incandescent light bulb and has the ability to last up to 20 years. </p> <p> 2) Green toilets. You may have heard of a low-flow toilet, but here are a few you may be less familiar with. A dual-flush toilet has two buttons, giving a home owner the option of flushing with a half or full tank. A pressure-assist toilet reduces water but useing compressed air to assist with the flushing of the toilet, all without additional pumps or power. </p> <p> 3) Nontoxic paint. Some consumers are using paints taht don&#39;t contain toxic Volatile Organic Components, VOCs, to keep indoor air clean and cut down on landfill pollutants. These paints are offered in a variety of colors and finishes. </p> <p> For more information on new green options, visit <a href="http://www.realtor.com">www.realtor.com</a>. </p>

<p> <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/847"><img class="imgBorder" src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/solar-charge-ipod-tip-med.jpg" /></a><br /> <span class="c1"><strong>Solar Charge Your iPod</strong></span><br /> </p> <p> Cut that cord. Charge your iPod, your Blackberry, your Mobile GPS or your phone on the go with a backpack-cum-solar power charger. <a href="http://www.rewarestore.com/">Reware</a> sells three styles-a backpack, daypack and messenger bag. All of the bags are made from reclaimed soda bottles to create a fabric that is both durable enough to withstand inclement weather and stylish. On the back of the bag there is a thin layer of solar cells that turns light into electricity. </p> <p> <a href="http://www.voltaicsystems.com/">Voltaic</a> carries similar bags as well as a smaller solar backpack that can be used as a converter for larger rucksacks. All of the Voltaic bags come with a battery pack to serve as a power reservoir. </p>

<p> <img class="imgBorder" src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/refillable-mug-tip-med.jpg" /><br /> <strong class="c1">Use a Refillable Mug</strong><br /> </p> <p> Cut down on waste, as well as toxic chemicals in the environment, by using a reusable mug at home, in the office and on the go, instead of opting for single-use containers for coffee, tea and other beverages. </p> <p> If you buy your daily cup of coffee in a disposable container, you are generating about 22.75 pounds of waste per year. Across the country, 25 billion polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam) cups are thrown away every year, according to the EPA. That&#39;s troubling, because polystyrene takes hundreds of years to break down, and is made of nonrenewable petroleum. Scientists have also discovered carcinogenic compounds leaching out of polystyrene, possibly even into your hot drink! </p> <p> Cups made of paper products are easier on the environment, but they are made of trees and can result in destructive deforestation. Even recycled paper cups require considerable energy to produce and distribute. </p> <p> It&#39;s wise to use ceramic or glass containers for your hot beverages, because plastics can leach out small amounts of potentially toxic chemicals over time, particularly pthalates and <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/4992">bisphenol A</a>. If the risk of breakage is high, and for on-the-go uses, consider stainless steel. </p> <p> As an added incentive, remember that many coffee shops and university food services offer discounts for those who bring in their own reusable containers. Starbucks, for example, offers a 10-cent discount to those with their own mugs, and this encouraged 13.5 million customers to help keep 586,800 pounds of paper from landfills in 2003. </p>

<p> <img class="imgBorder" alt="bathroom sink with running water" src="http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/Turn-Off-Tap-tip-med.jpg" /><br /> </p> <p> Turn Off the Tap </p> <p> When you aren&#39;t actually using the water, give a quick flick of the wrist and turn off the tap. You can always turn it right back on again. </p> <p> How many times a day do we mindlessly let the tap run? Brushing our teeth, shaving, washing our hands, rinsing the dishes, cleaning vegetables, getting a cold drink. </p> <p> According to the new EPA <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/1936">WaterSense</a> initiative, the average bathroom sink faucet flows at a rate of two gallons a minute. You can slow that flow by installing a new low-flow faucet. </p> <p> You can also save up to 8 gallons of water a day simply by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and at night. Do the same while you shave. </p> <p> Other tap tips: Keep a <a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/5503">pitcher of water</a> in the fridge so you don&#39;t have to run the tap to get a cold drink. Rinse soapy hands for 15 seconds to kill germs. Scrape rather than rinse dishes. Soak veggies first, then do a quick rinse to clean. </p>

<p> Everywhere Renewable energy: How green is your power?<br /> By Joe Orso<br /> <br /> Many power utilities now offer consumers choices between conventional electricity powered by fossil fuels and green electricity powered by renewable resources. Customers also have more options to use energy more efficiently in homes and businesses.<br /> <br /> How green is your energy? Programs vary between states and providers, but here are some questions to pursue when considering how to minimize the impact of our home and business energy usage.<br /> <br /> Q. What is renewable energy?<br /> <br /> Renewable energy, defined by <a href="http://dictionary.com/">dictionary.com</a>, is &quot;any naturally occurring, theoretically inexhaustible source of energy, as biomass, solar, wind, tidal, wave, and hydroelectric power, that is not derived from fossil or nuclear fuel.&quot;<br /> <br /> A fossil fuel is &quot;any combustible organic material, as oil, coal, or natural gas, derived from the remains of former life.&quot;<br /> <br /> Q. Does my utility use renewable energy?<br /> <br /> Many utilities already get a portion of their energy from renewable resources. And many states now mandate that utilities increase their percentage of energy derived from renewable resources. Call your utility to find out how much of your energy comes from renewable resources, and what the company is doing to increase that amount.<br /> <br /> Q. Can I choose whether my home or business&#39;s energy source is renewable or not?<br /> <br /> Some utilities offer green pricing programs, in which consumers pay more money to support their utility&#39;s renewable energy efforts. Xcel Energy customers in Colorado, for instance, can enroll in the Windsource program: Fully subscribed members pay about $13 more per month to support and expand Xcel&#39;s wind farms in Colorado.<br /> <br /> Q. What can I do to use energy more efficiently?<br /> <br /> Consumers have more options than getting energy from renewable resources. Many utilities offer extensive information on ways consumers can change habits, reduce consumption and upgrade homes and businesses to use energy more efficiently. Xcel Energy, for instance, offers customers a brochure with 60 simple ways to save energy.<br /> <br /> Q. How can I learn about my own energy usage?<br /> <br /> Some utilities offer online bill calculators that help consumers understand what is determining the cost of their bills. NorthWestern Energy, a provider of electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, plans to launch a bill calculator in 2008 and, like many utilities across the country, continues to offer free home energy audits for qualified customers.<br /> <br /> &quot;That cost per unit of energy is not something the customer has control over,&quot; said Claudia Rapkoch, director of communications for NorthWestern Energy. &quot;That&#39;s what the market has control over.&quot;<br /> <br /> However, the customer decides how many units are used, Rapkoch said.<br /> <br /> Q. What are the benefits to more efficient energy usage?<br /> <br /> Lower utility bills and a cleaner environment are two benefits that can come from using energy more efficiently, but utilities might also offer customers rebates or rewards.<br /> <br /> Southern California Edison, for instance, offers rebates to customers on products like Energy Star-qualified refrigerators and air conditioners. Go to <a href="http://www.dsireusa.org/">www.dsireusa.org</a> to find out about incentives offered by state programs and utilities concerning renewble energy and energy efficiency .<br /> <br /> Q. Are there other resources?<br /> <br /> Your local utility&#39;s Web site probably outlines many options for renewable energy and using energy more efficiently.<br /> <br /> <br /> </p>

<p> <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/08/how_to_green_your_summer.php"><strong>How To Green Your Summer</strong></a><br /> <br /> <strong>What&#39;s the Big Deal?</strong> </p> <p> With the warm weather fully unfurled, you&#39;ve got some free time and some hot days before you. That means time off to spend at the beach, with the kids, away on vacation, whatever… You&#39;ve got backyard BBQs, ballgames, trips to the local zoo, and a whole lot more to squeeze in, but you&#39;re not so certain how to make sure your summer vacation is looking and feelings its greenest. So let&#39;s lotion up, put some beer on ice, and get down to business<br /> </p> <p> <img alt="Top 10 Tips" src="http://i.treehugger.com/images/howto/01.gif" /> </p> <p> 1. <strong>Steppin&#39; light</strong> </p> <p> Find local activities with low environmental impacts like a trip to the local park, woods, zoo, ballgame, or beach with friends to relax. Time spent with friends and family can be a great way to catch up and have fun. Picking up that new book you&#39;ve been meaning to read while lounging on the deck is another great way to pass the time and leave a smaller footprint behind. The Deathly Hallows ought to keep you busy for a little while. Once you&#39;ve gotten out of the city, check out our guide on <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/how-to-green-your-outdoor-sports.php">How to Green Your Outdoor Sports</a>. </p> <p> 2. <strong>Cool and easy</strong> </p> <p> Air conditioning can offer much-needed respite from the heat and can make sweaty nights bearable, but be sensitive to overuse. Turning up the thermostat a few degrees on your AC is a great way to save tons of cash while making the planet a cooler place at the same time. </p> <p> 3. <strong>Up in your grill</strong> </p> <p> Love to BBQ? Propane burns much cleaner than either wood or charcoal briquettes. If you can&#39;t resist charcoal, try a natural product like those produced by <a href="http://www.cowboycharcoal.com/">Cowboy Charcoal</a>-much cleaner than your traditional briquettes. Of course, when you&#39;re done grilling, use natural cleaning products such as <a href="http://www.soyclean.biz/">SoyClean</a> organic grill cleaner to keep your summer as chemical-free as possible. Tests show it&#39;s just as tough on grime as traditional cleaners, but won&#39;t leave that chemical residue behind to leach into your next burger or grilled tomato. Plus, if you want to give your neighbors something to gossip about, try a solar over from a company like <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/07/solar_cookers_i.php">Solar Cookers International</a>. <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/10/how_to_green_yo_8.php">How to Green Your Meals</a> has some tasty advise, as well. </p> <p> 4. <strong>The local roundup</strong> </p> <p> Buy food locally. Farmers markets are great places to shop, and ensure that the veggies you&#39;re eating hot off the grill or mixed in a salad haven&#39;t traveled thousands of miles just to reach your plate. That cuts down on the use of fossil fuels, which leads to significantly reduced levels of pollution and resource depletion over your typical tomato bought at the local supermarket. Websites like <a href="http://www.localharvest.org/">Local Harvest</a> can help you find one in your area, even if you&#39;ve never seen one in your life. </p> <p> 5. <strong>The green plate special</strong> </p> <p> Use reusable dishes rather than plastics or Styrofoam. If you absolutely must use disposables, make sure to pick up compostable varieties beforehand to put in the compost bin when you&#39;re through. For more, check out Where to Get This Stuff below. </p> <p> 6. <strong>Greenie bikini</strong> </p> <p> You don&#39;t have to go so far as wearing a <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/eco_fast_dress.php">biodegradable</a> or <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/return_of_the_s.php">solar bikini</a> to make your summer accoutrements more sustainable. Look for eco-friendly products like clothing, swimsuits, sandals, towels, and skin care. Each of them is a step in the right direction, and you might just fall in love with a product or style you never knew existed. Lots more to learn at <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/11/how_to_green_yo_12.php">How to Green Your Wardrobe</a>. </p> <p> 7. <strong>Charge!</strong> </p> <p> Pick up a solar backpack or device like the <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/tough_solar_cha.php">Freeloader</a> or the <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/03/treehugger_revi.php">Solio</a> to take with you on day trips. That way, whether you&#39;re at the beach or on the go you&#39;ll be able to run and recharge a wide range of portable devices on solar energy. Save a buck by cutting out the electric company and giving your rechargeables the solar power they deserve. More green power tips and a roundup of solar chargers and other products can be found <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/how-to-green-your-electronics.php">here</a>. </p> <p> 8. <strong>No poison, please</strong> </p> <p> Remember those carefree days of running alongside the DDT truck as it sprayed the happy townspeople and iced all the bugs? Well, we&#39;re a little smarter now, so use products like garlic barrier to ward off mosquitoes. Traditional products certainly do the job, but they can end up turning your backyard into a deathtrap for every other kind of living thing that drops by for a visit. That means birds, butterflies, ladybugs, and even the family dog gets an unhealthy dose. Not to mention yourself, the kids, the neighbors&#39; kids, and even your bratty nephew who lives down the block. Make sure to apply it when you think it won&#39;t rain for several days, and the garlic alternative should treat you right. Planting <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/04/victory_with_ro.php">rosemary</a> is a natural and low-tech way to block skeeters. Then there are always the big guns like the <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/11/mosquito_magnet.php">Mosquito Magnet</a>. </p> <p> 9. <strong>Wet and wise</strong> </p> <p> Water usage levels are a big deal throughout much of the U.S. and the summer drought season can really make things tough. Be certain to watch what you use, water plants only when necessary, and take a few minutes to install a low-flow showerhead. They&#39;re simple steps that can make a big difference. For more, check out <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/12/how_to_green_your_water.php">How to Green Your Water</a>. </p> <p> 10. <strong>The greener road</strong> </p> <p> Have to travel long distances to arrive at your dream destination this summer? Consider making it by road or rail rather than by plane, but be sure to offset your carbon emissions no matter what mode of transportation you choose. Companies and non-profit groups like Terrapass, Climate Care, MyClimate, Native Energy, and American Forests all offer ways to offset the damage done when you pick up and travel to places unknown. <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/07/how-to-green-your-carbon-offsets.php">How to Green Your Carbon Offsets</a> is a great launch pad. </p>

<p> Tip of the Day: Go frugal, go green </p> <p class="byline"> <em>by</em> <strong><a href="http://www.greendaily.com/bloggers/patricia-mayville-cox">Patricia Mayville-Cox</a></strong> </p> <div class="postbody"> Use it up, wear it out, make it do and do without!<a href="http://www.sxc.hu/profile/clblood"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.greendaily.com/media/2007/12/gbmoney.jpg" align="right" /></a><br /> <br /> Going green is not about buying green products. Sure, instead of buying non-green products, it&#39;s an improvement. But really, going green and going frugal are almost the same thing. On the individual level, much of our problem is that we are using vastly more resources than our grandparents or even our parents did. Our houses are bigger, our cars are bigger, we are buying more toys and clothes and changing our house furnishings more often than ever.<br /> <br /> And while we do all of this, we are also spending a lot of green, causing us stress.<br /> <br /> While we can all dream about living a &quot;simple&quot; life, that is easier said than done. Most of us can&#39;t quit our jobs and go move off the grid and that is ok. Start by taking action right inside your own life. If you&#39;re not motivated only by the environmental crisis, then do it for your wallet. So many of the actions that are being promoted as green, are also the simple ones that save you money, that people have been doing forever. Actions like:<br /> <br /> <ul> <li>Turning down your thermostat, putting on a sweater. </li> <li>Being cautious with your grocery bill, cooking from scratch more often. </li> <li>Not buying prepared foods. </li> <li>Reducing your meat consumption. </li> <li>Not buying more house than you need. </li> <li>Searching out the secondhand shops in your area, especially for children&#39;s clothes and toys. </li> <li>Getting a library card. </li> <li>Planning out your holiday spending carefully and sticking to the budget. </li> <li>Being wise with appliance usage. </li> <li>Unplugging those electricity vampires. </li> <li>Buying quality items that will last. </li> </ul><br /> For more inspiration, check out the <a href="http://www.greendaily.com/2007/12/04/the-story-of-stuff-or-why-is-this-stuff-so-cheap/">Story of Stuff</a> and some frugal living blogs like <a href="http://www.frugalforlife.com/">Frugal for Life</a>, <a href="http://www.stretcher.com/">Stretcher</a> and <a href="http://www.frugalvillage.com/">Frugal Village</a>.<br /> <br /> While you can do lots of fancy calculations on how many pounds of carbon that didn&#39;t get released because of your actions, you might even find that you are more motivated by watching your bills grow lighter and your wallet grow heavier. </div>