Here are 10 things you can do today to help save the environment and while saving money. I'm only including ideas here that everyone can do either with no investment or a minimal upfront cost.
Other ideas such as buying EnergyStar appliances or solar ovens are great, but those require upfront capital some might not have. The ideas listed below require minimum upfront cash and benefits start today.
1. Stop buying bottled water. Bottled water costs 1,000 times more than tap water and is an environmental disaster. Buy a reusable bottle from a camping supply store or a cycling store and refill.
2. Substitute sun tea for soda. (Recipe for sun tea - large sealable glass jug, tap water, teabags, sun, time - the longer the better.) Again, you'll save the costs of the soda and the environment will be spared all those plastic bottles. And it will be healthier for you in the long run.
3. Convert incandescent light bulbs to the compact fluorescent ones. They cost more upfront, but use a LOT less energy and last a LONG time. Win-win.
4. Plug appliances that have "standby" modes into power strips (surge protectors) and turn the power off at the strip. Anything that has a clock function is using electricity and wasting money while sitting idle. Unless it's a clock, what's the point? Things in my house that qualify: microwave oven, DVD player, TV, stereos, the cable box, computer, and computer printer. Things that don't: refrigerator, clocks.
5. Bank online. You can save tons of paper a year by having bills sent to you electronically, and then pay them via online banking. It also saves you 39-cents a bill in postage. You can also have your bank statement sent to you online. If you're reading this, you have the capability.
6. Keep your tires inflated to recommended pressures. Under-inflated tires can waste up to 10% of your car's fuel efficiency. Can you say 30-cents a gallon?
7. SLOW DOWN. Excessive speed also robs fuel efficiency. What's your hurry, anyway? Drop back 10 mph on the freeway and you'll see instant improvements in gas mileage without a noticeable increase in your driving time. A 30-mile freeway drive at 75 miles an hour takes 24 minutes. The same 30-mile drive at 65 mph takes 27.7 minutes. You're telling me you don't have 3.7 minutes?
8. Substitute one meat meal with a veggie meal a week. Veggies cost less to you and cost the environment a lot less to produce. Bean burritos instead of chicken quesadillas. Hummus instead of cold cuts. Plus, it's healthier for you.
9. Plan a TV-free night a week. Play board games or cards, sit outside with the neighbors, take a walk, whatever. While you're at it, take a break from Kossing, too. Interact with "real" people instead. We'll be here when you get back.
10. Don't mow the lawn. OK, not forever, but you don't have to be so darned religious about it, either. Stop watering it, too, which will cut down on how much you have to mow - double benefit. Most grasses on our lawns are supposed to go dormant (ie, turn brown) in the summertime. Let them. Not dead. Dormant.