101

Ways

To Help Planet
Earth
by:
With Michael
Sandi Valentine
Plybon

For
Together We Can Change the
World
© 2006
Author's Note:

Taking care of our Earth is no longer an option – it is a necessity. At times

the challenge feels so overwhelmingly complicated that we give up before
we even get started. Have you ever felt that way?

Maybe you were active in earth-friendly activities in the past but didn't feel
your efforts were making a difference and you've abandoned them – or
perhaps you just aren't as conscientious as you once were.

Taking responsibility for our actions is becoming more and more crucial. And
with each of us making the commitment to start with small steps, together
we can make a huge difference.

In the following E-book you will find 101 Ways to Help Planet Earth. We
have included links to websites and organizations from our online
research for your convenience. We are not endorsing any of these groups
or sites (nor do they endorse us) -- we are simply offering them to you
for your further investigation and research. Educate yourself and find
even more ways to do your part.

This book is our gift to you

because we want to empower
you
to BE the Difference in Your World Today.
For more free E-books, as well as Free E-
cards, And Prints, please visit:
[Link]

And while you're there,

be sure to sign up for our free e-zine –
BE the Difference Club

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 101 Ways to Help Planet Earth

1)Stop Junk Mail. Have you ever considered how much energy is used
in creating all that unsolicited junk you get in your mailbox? It's been
suggested that the junk mail we Americans receive in just one day is not
only a
nuisance, it could produce enough energy to heat a quarter of a
million homes! The junk mail delivered to your address alone
would be the equivalent of 1½ trees – which adds up to 100
million trees every year.
And that's just in the United States. To help stop junk mail and
help
your letter carrier's aching back, write to: Mail Preference
Service, Direct
Marketing Association, P.O. Box 3861, New York, NY 10163-3861. By writing
them you can reduce your junk mail by up to 75%. Be sure to recycle the
rest!

2)Participate in your community's curbside recycling. Make the

effort to use those recycle bins! Some communities are starting to charge
fines to people who are throwing away items that should be recycled. And if
your community doesn't pick up recyclables (or only certain ones) you can
usually find someone who accepts them. Check with dry cleaners,
supermarkets, manufacturers, your local public works department and civic
organizations to find where recycled goods can be dropped off.

3)Make recycling easier by putting recycle

bins in the rooms where you use the product. If
you open the mail in your den, keep a box nearby and
toss in the junk mail. If you want to save vegetable and
fruit clippings for a composting pile, keep a container
under the kitchen sink.

4)Save large amounts of paper by using your spell checker.

Before you send a document to your printer, be sure to run grammar and
spell check. Once you get it error-free, preview it (file 🡪 print preview) to
ensure it fits well on the page and looks the way you want it to. You'll reduce
the amount of paper you use, saving money and helping the environment!
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 5)Use both sides of your paper. If I print out a document I can't use, I
cut it into fourths and stack them next to my computer and telephone. They
make the perfect size for quick notes. Put some on your night stand for that
quick reminder to yourself. Or, if you do a lot of printing from your computer
that is only for your use, use the second side of obsolete or imperfect
documents. It doesn't matter that there's something on the other side.

6)Smaller children don't need clean paper to color on. I've

worked in several offices and brought home reams of scrap paper from the
copier room (as long as it didn't have confidential or personal information on
it) that was still blank on one side. You can also keep a look out for blank-
sided paper in all that junk mail mentioned in #1.

"Health is the capacity of the l a n d for self-

renewal. Conservation is o ur effort to
un de rs t a nd a n d preserve this capacity.
~Aldo Leopold

7) Reduce how much you throw

away. Americans generate more trash per capita than
people in any other country. On average, each American
discards about 4.4 pounds of solid waste every day. Only
about a pound of that is recycled, composted, or
otherwise reused. The rest goes into our ever-growing
landfills or incinerators. Avoid wasteful packaging and
single-use products that can't easily be recycled. Buy
reusable, repairable, rechargeable or refillable
products. And look for those that are made from or are packaged in
recycled materials.

8)Inflate your tires. Every two weeks Americans wear out nearly 50
million pounds of rubber off their tires. This is enough rubber to manufacture
three and a quarter million new tires from scratch. To help prevent this –
inflate your tires. This preserves the life of your tires, saves gas, and of
course, money.

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 9)Recycle your motor oil. In the U.S. we use about
a billion gallons of motor oil each year. About 350 million
gallons end up in the environment. About 2.1 million tons
are deposited in our rivers and streams. Motor oil can seep
down into our ground water supply. Just one quart
contaminates 250,000 gallons of water. If you change your
oil yourself, take it to a gas station or oil-changing outlet
which recycles oil. It may cost you anywhere from twenty-
five cents to a dollar.

10)Don't dump oil, grease, antifreeze, pesticides, fertilizers,

paints, cleaners, and other toxic household products down the
storm drain or street gutter. Such products end up in rivers, lakes, and
oceans (depending on where you live). You most likely have a recycling
drop-off in your community. Call Public Services to find out where it is.

11) Restrict use of plastic

shopping bags. Plastic bags are not biodegradable
– they do not decompose fully. In addition, the ink is
made up of cadmium and is highly toxic when
released. Paper bags are reusable and biodegradable.
Choose paper instead of plastic. Also – if your
purchase is small enough, don't take a bag at all –
this alone could save hundreds of millions of bags.
Bring a cloth or string bag for smaller shopping trips.

12)Purchase products that are recycled. Make sure it says

"recycled." By purchasing these products you are helping to conserve
natural resources and protecting our earth. Look for "made from recycled
waste" or "post-consumer waste." The recycling symbol or "100%
recyclable" is appealing but does not mean the product was made from
recycled products.

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 13)Purchase CFC free products. CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) destroys
the ozone layer which protects us from harmful UV rays. CFC's are used in air
conditioners (as refrigerants/Freon), some scented candles, plug in air
fresheners, insect repellents, hairspray, and even some cooking products.
Most often they are in aerosol spray products. UV (harmful ultraviolet
radiation) rays increase the risk of skin cancer, increases cataract cases,
suppresses the human immune system, and cause environmental damage.

14)Shop for durable, long-lasting products. For example, use a

metal razor instead of disposables, or a metal roasting pan instead of a
disposable one. Use items that can be repaired and are produced to last a
long time.

Shop For Charity Day ([Link]) is

the largest online fundraising Mall on the Internet. There
are nearly 2,200 Environmental organizations* registered
in the SFCD database (which has over 135,000
organizations). Every purchase you make from our 1,000
stores results in cash back to the Cause of your choice!

*The list of organizations on the [Link] website is provided for

informational purposes only. The causes have been listed by persons for their own
and others’ use. A listing at [Link] is not an endorsement of Shop
For Charity Day, Inc. by the cause, nor an endorsement of the cause by Shop For
Charity Day, Inc

15)Use silverware and dishes instead of plastic and paper.

Not only will you help our earth – you'll save money as well. This is a great
way to cut down on extra garbage in our landfills.

16)Try to avoid using disposable products at all. Use cloth

diapers (remember them?) Use an old t-shirt or towel as rags instead of
going through rolls of paper towels.

17)And about disposable diapers. Over 18 billion

disposable diapers are thrown in the trash every year here in
America. Lined up end-to-end – they'd reach to the moon
and back seven times!

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They take up 1% of our landfills and 500 years to decompose. They
use 1,265,00 metric tons of wood pulp and 75,000 metric ton s of plastic.
Cotton diapers can be reused 100s of times and decompose in 1 to 6
months.

18)Consider buying in bulk. One 32-ounce bottle uses less

packaging than two 16-ounce bottles. In addition, the larger bottle will
probably cost less per ounce than the other two combined.

19)Change your habits in the kitchen. Use reusable containers

instead of wrapping food in foil or plastic wrap. Use unbleached coffee
filters. Use rags to wipe up spills instead of paper towels. And use wax
paper and paper bags – they're biodegradable.

20) Use rechargeable batteries. Batteries contain heavy metals

such as mercury and cadmium, which have become a major
source of
contamination in dumpsites. They break apart and are
released into the soil or are incinerated and the deadly heavy
metals are released into the air. Use batteries that are
rechargeable. They will save you 10 or 20 times the original
cost (by
not buying batteries over and over again). You can also prolong
the life of any battery by using the AC adapter for radios and other
appliances.
And recycle alkaline batteries if you can. The mercury and
cadmium can be extracted for reuse.

21)Don't buy products that endanger animals. Ten years ago

there were over 1.5 million elephants on the earth. It's said that today
there are only 750,000. Ivory is still being taken from elephants killed by
poachers. Americans purchase 30% of that ivory. Over 6.5 million dolphins
have been killed by tuna fishermen. Fishing nets can reach ¾ mile in
length and whatever gets trapped in them dies. Check the label of your
tuna to make sure it is "dolphin-safe."

22)Recycle your ink and toner cartridges. Every year Americans

throw out enough printer cartridges to stretch from Los Angeles to New York
City and back again. Check out your office supply store, call your current
toner cartridge company and ask about a cartridge-recycling program or put
"toner recycle" in your favorite search engine. Some companies pay you (and
your shipping charges) to recycle your7printer cartridges.
 23)Be aware of the paint you use. Use latex paint instead of oil-
based which is highly toxic. The manufacturing process of oil-based paint
produces additional pollutants.

24)Dispose of oil-based paint as you would

any hazardous waste. Latex paint can be left
outside for one year to evaporate. Then dispose of it
with the rest of your
trash. Consider donating it to a school or someone else who
might be able to use it.

25)Don't clean your paint brushes outside as it can

contaminate groundwater. Clean them in the sink.

26)Don't release helium balloons

outside. It may appear to be a beautiful
experience – but releasing balloons into the air is
dangerous. The balloons can cause suffocation or
starvation in animals by blocking stomach or air
valves. Metallic balloons can cause power outrages
when they get caught in power lines.

27)Cut up plastic 6-pack holders. This is

something I've been doing for years once I learned that animals and birds die
from uncut 6-pack holders and other ringed packages every year. They get
caught in the holes and are choked to death or they get hung up on bushes,
underwater plants, etc. Make it a habit to cut all the rings apart when you
recycle or throw away that 6-pack holder.

28)Avoid products that are over-packaged. Look for items that

have less packaging. They'll probably cost less anyway. This includes
individually wrapped candy. Select fresh products from the display bins
instead of pre-packaged. The more packaging – the higher the price – and
more importantly, the more garbage lands up in our landfills.

29)Don't throw clothes away. If they're still in good

shape, give them to organizations that clothe the poor, or
find a
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consignment store that will pay you part of the selling price. Or have a
garage sale and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.

30)And since we're talking about not throwing items away –

don't throw furniture and other items away. If they are in good
condition and still working, call any resale organization (like Salvation Army,
Goodwill, ARC etc.). Many will pick up the items or you can take them to their
drop-off centers. Many have large trailers in the parking lots of shopping
areas.

31)Buy organically-grown food. More and more grocery stores are

offering organically grown products or have organic sections in their
stores. Organically grown foods are foods that were grown without using
chemical fertilizer, pesticides or herbicides. They're better for you and the
earth because no chemicals are getting into you, the soil or water.

32) Plant a tree. Trees produce oxygen

and cool the air. You can either grow seedlings yourself,
or purchase them from a nursery. Visit the following sites
to learn about planting and nurturing trees: International
Society of Arboriculture or National Arbor Day
Foundation. Or visit your local nursery.

33) Make your meals earth-friendly. When you pack your

lunch, plastic
items in reusable put containers instead of sandwich bags. Carry your
drink in a washable thermos bottle and your lunch in a reusable lunch
container.

34)If you do use plastic bags – reuse them. Plastic takes over 100
years to biodegrade. Wash out those bags and use them again and again.
Not only will you be helping the earth – you'll be saving money!

35)If you don't need the light – turn it off. If there is sufficient
natural light in a room, don't reach for the light switch. And if you'll only be
in the room for a minute, let your eyes adjust for a few seconds
and avoid turning on the light – most of the time you really
don't need it.
If you do turn on a light, only leave it on for as long as you
need it. And be sure to turn it off when you leave a room.
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 36)Turn off the air conditioner. When the temperature is the same
outside as inside, open your windows and save electricity, the earth and
your money. If you sleep with windows safely open (your local police
department can give you guidelines) at night your house will cool down and
save a lot of energy.

37)If you have a leaky faucet – catch the

drips until you get it fixed. One drop of water per
second can waste 2,300 gallons of water per year. Put a
pan, bowl or cup under it to catch the water. Use the
water for cooking,
drinking, or watering a plant. Judge the size of your
container -
- a leaky faucet can fill a coffee cup in 10 minutes.

38)Can't afford a water-saving toilet? This is something we've been

doing for years -- put a bleach bottle inside the tank. First fill the bleach
bottle with water, cap it tightly and put it in the tank after you flush it. The
average toilet uses 3 – 7 gallons of water per flush. The bottle will displace
from ½ - 1 gallon of water and save you money with every flush. You can also
use a brick – but put it in a plastic bag as it may deteriorate.

39)Have a hot tub? Keep the water at a maximum of 104 degrees

for safety reasons. For each 10-degree drop in temperature, you can save
up to 5% in water- heating energy costs.

40)Use fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.

Fluorescent bulbs are brighter, last longer and use ¼ the amount of
energy
than regular incandescent bulbs. And they don't produce
nearly as much wasted heat. A normal incandescent
bulb lasts about 750 hours, but a fluorescent bulb
with last for 7,500 – 10,000 with 1/3 the wattage. A
fluorescent bulb will also stop 1,000 pounds of carbon
dioxide from going into the atmosphere. Carbon
dioxide (CO2) does not impair human health but is a
"greenhouse gas" that traps 1
the earth's heat and contributes to the0 potential of
global warming.
 41)Participate in Together We Can Change The World Day on
the first Saturday of every month. Find a project happening in your
area and join others helping your planet. Or if there isn't one listed in your
community – start one and register it for FREE! Visit
[Link] and get started today!

42)Use dimmers and 3-way bulbs whenever possible so you can

adjust the amount of light you need. And use timers on lights in garages,
attics and other areas where lights may be accidentally left on for long
periods.

We all moan and groan about the loss of the quality of life
through the destruction of our ecology, and yet each one of
us, in our own little comfortable ways, contributes daily to
that destruction. It's time now to awaken in each one of us
the respect and attention our beloved mother deserves."
~Ed Asner

43)Use a movement detector to control halogen security

lights to cut down on usage. If you leave lights on overnight, get double the
benefit by installing a low energy lamp that has a sensor to ensure it stays
off during daylight hours.

44)If you can't use fluorescent lights, install low energy

lights – especially in rooms you use regularly. They last up to 15 times
longer than normal bulbs and provide the same light for a quarter of the
cost.

45) Use a tea kettle

instead of a pan to heat water (measure
the amount of water you need) and heat only
that amount of water. Kettles are more
efficient than pans for boiling water. And de-scale
electric kettles regularly – the build up of scale means it
takes more energy to boil the same amount of water.
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1
46) When buying a new appliance, be sure to purchase one with the
energy efficiency label – Energy Star®. Visit this Energy Star® site
for good information on selecting energy efficient
appliances ([Link] Energy Star®
clothes washers use 35-50% less water per load and are
at least 50% more efficient than minimum federal
government standards; Energy Star® dishwashers are at
least 25% more efficient than minimum federal
government standards. Energy Star® also offers a
refrigerator rebate program – your old refrigerator gets
picked up and recycled for free!

You can find appliances and just about anything else you're
looking for at Shop For Charity Day (
[Link]) the largest online fundraising mall
on the Internet. Support one of the 2100+ Environmental
organizations* registered in the database by making purchases
in the 1,000 stores available.
* The list of organizations on the [Link] website is provided for
informational purposes only. The causes have been listed by persons for their own and
others’ use. A listing at [Link] is not an endorsement of Shop For Charity
Day, Inc. by the cause, nor an endorsement of the cause by Shop For Charity Day, Inc.

47)Go ahead and buy that new TV. Modern televisions consume
less than half the electricity of older models.

48)And speaking of TVs. Always use your television's on/off

switch. Don't leave it on standby as this wastes energy.

49)Check your hot water heater. Your water heater uses about 20%
of all the energy in your home. Turn it down to 120 degrees (130-140 if you
use an automatic dishwasher). Quick recovery water heaters have two
thermostats and they both should be set at the same level.

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2
 50)Unless it specifically states not to, insulate your water
heater with a pre-fab "blanket". Be careful not to block air vents.

51) You can also drain a bucket's worth of water from

your water heater once or twice a year from
the valve at the bottom of the tank. This prevents
sediment from accumulating and prolongs the life of
your heater. Sediment acts as an internal insulator and
inhibits the transfer of heat from the heating
elements to the water. To remove the sediment, draw
off water until runs clear – probably 2 – 5 gallons of water
will be
enough. BE AWARE – draining an older tank can cause the
tank to fail or cause leaks in corroded areas. Contact your
public utility
company for guidance.

52)America's refrigerators consume 7% of the nation's

electricity. That's the equivalent of more than 50% of the power
generated by our nuclear power plants. Clean the condenser coils every
year, and raise the temperature by 10 degrees and you can save 25% of
your energy. By working together a few small
actions c a n make a n enormous
diff erence to o u r world."
~Stacey
Powell

53)More tips on your refrigerator. Allow cooked food to cool before

putting it away. Never overfill your refrigerator. An overfilled fridge inhibits
cold air from circulating. Place your refrigerator away from stoves, heaters
and direct sunlight.

54)Make sure your freezer and refrigerator doors shut tightly. If

you can't trap a piece of paper in the door, the seal probably needs to be
replaced. And keep the back of your fridge/freezer dust free. This helps
improve its energy efficiency.

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3
55) Try to keep your freezer at least three quarters full at all times.
And don't allow more than ¼" thickness of ice to build up.

56)Watch those showers. Four people taking

showers every day for just 5 minutes use 700 gallons of
water in one week. This is enough water for a person to live
off of for three years. Purchase a low-flow showerhead and
save at least 14,000 gallons of water every year. If 100,000
families installed low-flow showerheads we could save 1.4
billion gallons of water in the U.S.

57)Wash dishes instead of using paper or plastic. Run your

dishwasher with a full load if at all possible. Use the "economy" or energy
saving setting. And use the no-heat dry feature – or open the door and let
them air dry.

58)Washing dishes by hand? Don't let the hot water run

continually. And instead of filling up a sink, use a large bowl (one you used
for cooking your meal is perfect – you have to wash it, anyway).

59) Use cold water instead of hot to operate your garbage

disposal.

60) The average American family

uses 350 gallons of water each day! On laundry
day, always try to wash with a full load. Match your
machine's size setting with the amount
of clothing. Don't waste water and energy washing a
small
load of clothing in a large load setting. And use the
lowest recommended washing temperature.

61)Consider adding a solar water heater to your home. Even in

the Pacific Northwest, a solar water heater will meet at least 50% of your
annual hot water needs. The sun can heat all the hot water you need during
the spring, summer and fall, and reduce the amount of work for your
standard water heater during the winter. Many utility companies offer
rebates to encourage the purchase and 1 installation of solar equipment.
4
 62)Check your dryer's vent annually to make sure moist air is
exhausting outside your home. Like your washer, operate your dryer only
when it has a full load (but not overloaded). Use the lowest heat setting
appropriate to the clothes fabric and be sure to keep the filter free of lint.

63)Don't over-dry your clothes, you'll avoid wrinkles (and

possibly the need to iron).

64)Use a microwave oven to cook

vegetables. They will cook quicker, and retain
their color and nutritional content. Microwaves
and small appliances consume less energy than
the range.

65)Cover saucepans with lids whenever

possible to reduce cooking time.

66)Match the size of your cooking utensil to the burner. The

bottom of a pan should completely cover a heating element but not extend
more than an inch beyond it. Avoid using a larger cooking area for a small
saucepan. If you have dual rings, use the inner ring whenever possible.

67)If the recipe will allow it, cut

food into smaller pieces. They will cook
quicker and save that much more energy.
)

68)You can save more energy by

using a steamer or segmented pan.
That way you can cook two (or more)
vegetables in one pan at the same time.

69)If you are cooking vegetables in saucepans, use just

enough water to keep them covered. And once boiling, turn down the heat
to simmer.

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5
 70)Many modern ovens, particularly
those with fans, need little or no pre-heating. If
you are baking something for longer than 60
minutes, you don't need to preheat the oven.

71)Decrease the oven temperature by 25

degrees if you use glass or ceramic dishes. And
don't peek in the oven. Every time you open the door
you lose up to 25% of the heat.

72) Don't use the oven to heat your kitchen.

73)When heating your home, make sure heat vents and

return air vents aren't covered. And change your fiber furnace
filter twice a year, cleaning it monthly during the heating season.

74)Turn your thermostat down. By turning your thermostat down

you'll save up to 3% on heating costs for every degree your thermostat is
lowered. Set your thermostat at a maximum of 68% and at least 10% less at
night, unless you have a heat pump or cable heat.

75)Weatherstrip and caulk around all

doors and windows.

76)Keep dampers closed when your fireplace

isn't in use. A good chimney can draw up to 20% of
the warm air out of the house each hour.

77) In cold weather, keep your drapes and ope

shades n
on sunny days and close them at dusk.
78) The average yearly cost of heat for an electrically-heated
home is about 58 cents per square foot of living area. A newer single-
family home built to high insulation standards probably costs about 34 cents
per square foot to heat for a year.

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 79)If your home has individual room heating systems
such as baseboards, wall heaters and ceiling cable heat, turn them
off in rooms you aren't using and keep the doors closed.

Did you know the First Saturday of every

month is Together We Can Change the
World Day? (
[Link])
Register your service project (it's free!) or
search for a project in your area. With
hands and hearts joined around the
country – we can make a difference for
people and our environment!

Together We CAN Change the World!

80) Consider installing solar cells, or photovoltaics

(PVs), which produce
electricity from sunlight. If you're interested in
producing your own "green power," utility
companies will often
help finance the cost of installing your PV system.
Some companies even let you connect your
generating system directly to their electric system.
If your
generation exceeds your consumption you gain credits on your bill.

81)A solar swimming pool heater is very cost effective and can
pay for itself in as little as 3 to 5 years. Then you've got many years of
virtually free pool heating.

82)Recycle your sneakers with Nike Reuse-A-

Shoe. Reuse-A-Shoe collects, slices, and grinds up used
(any brand) and defective (Nike only) athletic shoes to
make Nike Grind material, which is then used in sports
surfaces. Since
its inception in 1993, the Reuse-A-Shoe program has
recycled more than 13 million pairs of shoes and has
helped donate over
1
100 athletic courts, tracks, fields and playground
7 surfaces
to communities around the world. The National Recycling
83) Does your state have a "bottle bill"? Bottle bills are a proven,
sustainable method of capturing beverage bottles and cans for
recycling. The refund value of the container (usually 5 or 10
cents) provides money as an incentive to return the containers
for recycling. They also supply recyclable materials for a high-
demand market, conserve energy and natural resources,
create new businesses and jobs, reduce waste disposal
costs and reduce litter. And no state bottle bill has ever
been repealed. The Container Recycling Institute offers
2
websites.

The CRI website ([Link] gives general

information about container recycling. The Bottle Bill Resource Guide (
[Link] is dedicated to issues specifically related to
beverage container deposit legislation or bottle bills. If you are interested in
advocating for a bottle bill, but not sure where to start, get CRI's "Bottle Bill
Toolkit" at [Link]

84)Recycle your aluminum cans! The average

American bought 351 aluminum cans last year – twice
as many as in 1980. Between 1990 and 2000
Americans wasted a total of
7.1 million tons of cans – enough to manufacture
316,000 Boeing 737 airplanes. Since the first Earth
Day in 1970,
Americans have wasted an estimated 910 billion
aluminum cans worth over $15 billion. The quantity of
cans wasted in 2001 -- 759,625 tons – was equivalent
to the entire
annual production capacity of four major aluminum
smelters in the Pacific Northwest. That was also
greater than the amount used nationally for trucks,
buses, bridges, street and highway applications
combined. And laid end-to-end, those 50.7 billion cans
would encircle the Earth 153 times.

85) Does recycling your aluminum cans really

make a difference?
1
Consider these facts: 8
 🡪 Recycling cans takes one third as much energy as making them from
bauxite
🡪 The electric and thermal energy required to replace the cans wasted
since 1970 – 16 million tons of metal – is equivalent to about 342
million barrels of
crude oil – or 15 billion gallons of gasoline. Enough to supply the total
energy needs of 20 million homes for a year or supply 29 million cars
with gasoline
for a full year.
🡪 Replacing one wasted can requires
about 0.5kWh of electricity – enough to
light a 100-
watt bulb for 5 hours, or to power an
average laptop computer for 11 hours
🡪 More than 2 million tons of coal were burned
to generate the thermal and electric energy
required to
replace just half the cans wasted in the U.S. last year
🡪 Over 3 million tons of greenhouse gases were produced to replace
the
aluminum cans trashed in 2001 with new cans made from virgin
materials and 2 ½ billion gallons of water were used.

86)Please don't litter! Put your cigarette butts in ash trays (and then
deposit those ash trays in waste receptacles – not parking lots or roadsides).
Littering has resulted in litter taxes, which generate funds to educate the
public about not littering. Very little of that money is used for actual litter
cleanup. Cleaning up litter is much like mopping up the floor while the
faucet is running. It's so easy to put your trash in appropriate trash
containers. The few extra steps to the trash will benefit to your health as
well.

87)Buying a new car? Consider purchasing a

hybrid. Hybrids come in compact car, compact SUV,
midsize car, midsize SUV, and two seaters. Visit
[Link] to find the key
consumer resources on how hybrid vehicles might fit
into your lifestyle, detailed comparisons of hybrid
technologies, reviews, and comments from current
hybrid owners around the nation. This1 9site is a
project of the Union of
Concerned Scientists. There are currently no hybrids available in the large
88) Ever thought of "driving vegetarian"? You can drive your car on
100% used vegetable oil. Greasecar vegetable Fuel Systems allow
mechanically injected diesel vehicles to run on straight,
filtered
vegetable oil. Vegetable oil as fuel is cleaner, safer and
less expensive than petroleum based fuel. It can be
locally
produced – even grown in your own back yard. The
Greasecar Vegetable Oil Conversion System is an
auxiliary fuel modification system for diesel vehicles.
The kit comes with everything you need to convert your
diesel vehicle to run on vegetable oil.

Other sites are: Golden Fuel [Link] and Grease Works . DISCLAIMER:
Unlike biodiesel, this is an experimental fuel and is not covered under any
manufacturer's warranty, is not considered by the EPA or IRS as "legitimate"
on- road fuel, and should be used with caution. And, except for copious
anecdotal evidence that does not hold up to scientific scrutiny, there is no
clear evidence that this type of fuel is not detrimental in the long-term
modern diesel engine.

89)If you have a diesel car, consider using biodiesel. Biodiesel is

the name of a clean burning alternative fuel produced from domestic,
renewable resources. It contains no petroleum, but can be blended at any
level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in
compression-ignition (diesel) engines with no major
modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use,
biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free
of sulfur and aromatics. Biodiesel is registered
as a fuel and fuel additive with the EPA
(Environmental Protection Agency) and meets
clean diesel standards established by the
California Air
Resources Board (CARB). Neat (100 percent) biodiesel has been
designated as an alternative fuel by the Department of Energy (DOE) and
the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Biodiesel is available
anywhere in the U.S. The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) maintains a list
of registered fuel suppliers as well as petroleum distributors and retail
fueling sites.

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90) Consider eating grass-fed beef. These cattle are not fed grain and
are allowed to roam in organic (no pesticide or herbicide)
pastures.
(Most beef in our stores comes from feedlot cattle that
are routinely fed hormones – to induce growth -- and
antibiotics to deter health problems associated with
feedlots.) Some of the environmental benefits of
grass- fed beef are:
🡪 Reduction in heat-trapping gases that contribute to global warming
🡪 Decreased fuel use
🡪 Decreased soil erosion
🡪 Improved air quality
🡪 Reduction of antibiotic residues in water supplies

91)Consider purchasing milk and dairy products that

come from pasture-fed dairy cattle. The reasons are the same
as #88 above.

92)Consider composting. Food and paper are the two largest

components in landfills, accounting for nearly 50% of all municipal solid
waste. According to the EPA, food waste is the #1
least recycled material. You don't have to have a
big yard to do composting. You can compost in your
kitchen.
Recycle food (vegetables, coffee grounds, even
dairy, meat and fish) and paper waste into rich,
organic fertilizer right in your kitchen. No odors,
worms, bugs, hand mixing or turning. Uses just
10 watts of electricity – takes just 2 weeks. Avoid
chemical fertilizers in your garden – produce your
own rich, organic fertilizer and save our landfills.

93)Consider purchasing all natural furniture. Look for products

that are earth-friendly and organic: cotton, wool, hemp, natural rubber latex.
Also look for items made from recycled products. Try putting "all natural
organic furniture" in your favorite search engine to find companies and
organizations specializing in such products.
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 94) Use wood products that have the FSC
(Forest Stewardship Council) logo, which
guarantees the wood came from a certified, well-
managed forest. Many retailers in the U.S. stock FSC
products including The Home Depot, Lowe's Home
Improvement Centers, and Kinko's. Ask your local
retailer for information on their FSC-certified products.
For more information on the Forest Stewardship
Council, visit their website at

You can find furniture and just about anything else you're
looking for at Shop For Charity Day (
[Link]) the largest online fundraising
mall on the Internet. Support one of the 2100+ Environmental
organizations* registered in the database by making purchases
in the 1,000 stores available.
* The list of organizations on the [Link] website is provided for
informational purposes only. The causes have been listed by persons for their own and
others’ use. A listing at [Link] is an endorsement of Shop For Charity
Day, Inc. by the cause, nor an endorsement of the cause by Shop For Charity Day, Inc.

95)If you own a business consider joining 1% For The Planet.

This is an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to
create a healthier planet. Businesses donate at least 1% of their annual net
revenues to environmental organizations worldwide. It also creates
opportunities for collective marketing and information sharing on best
environmental practices. The alliance promotes its business membership at
every opportunity, thus increasing your visibility. You use the 1% For The
Planet logo, thus letting your customers know of your company's
commitment to ensure a healthy planet now and for the future. If you don't
own a business – encourage your "boss" to consider joining 1% For The
Planet.

96)If you sit on the Board of an

organization or business considering new
construction, encourage them to "go green." That's
not painting the walls or building green

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 –it's designing the building to be environmentally friendly. Encourage them
to seek Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification
from the Washington-based U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is a coalition of
builders, architects, government agencies and nonprofit groups. While
meeting the energy- efficient and environmental guidelines may add 3.5 –
4% to the building budget, the energy cost savings from the design could
reach 30%. That really is a "spend now, save later" mantra that works!

97) Join the Ben & Jerry's Lick Global

Warming Campaign. Commit to reducing your annual
CO2 emissions by
5% or 2000 lbs. Their Take Action Table shows how to
do it. For instance, by avoiding 15 miles of driving per
week (carpool, walk, ride your bike, etc.) you'll
eliminate 900
pounds of CO2 emissions per year. Or by keeping your
car in good running order with regular maintenance,
including
regular oil changes and tune-ups, you'll save 1,000
pounds of CO2 emissions! Did you know that under-
inflated tires can
increase your fuel consumption by 6%? Replace 3 standard incandescent
light bulbs with 3 compact fluorescent bulbs and save 300 pounds of CO2.
Those are just 3 of the 11 ways the table suggests.

98)And while we're talking about Ben & Jerry's they're working
with Penn State University to create a thermoacoustic refrigeration
prototype. (Refrigeration that uses environmentally friendly sound/pressure
waves instead of toxic gases for cooling.)

99)Support new wind farms and dairy farm

methane projects by joining The CoolDriver(sm)
Campaign ([Link] Did you know
that each gallon of gas burned in your car produces
19.5 lbs of CO2? And that the average car in the US
produces 6 tons of CO2 each year? Find out how you
can become part of the solution and still drive your
car at The CoolDriver (sm) Campaign site.
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 100)You can also buy Green Tags to financially support wind
farms and join the fight against global warming. Even if you can't purchase
wind energy, by purchasing Green Tags you achieve the same
environmental benefits. Purchasing Green Tags (and ordinary electricity
from your utility company) is the same as buying green electricity
(electricity produced by environmentally friendly generators, such as wind
turbines). Visit [Link] [Link] to find out
how it works, and to help fight carbon dioxide emissions.

101) Use environmentally friendly

cleaners instead of chemicals. Here are a few:
Window Cleaner: mix ½ cup white vinegar in one quart
warm water. Silver Cleaner: put 1 teaspoon
salt and 1 teaspoon baking soda in 2-3 inches of boiling
water in an aluminum foil-lined pan. Add silver and boil
three more minutes. Oven Cleaner: mix 1 part vinegar to
4 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray onto cool oven
surface and scrub the
oven clean. Use baking soda on stubborn spots. All-
Purpose Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner: dissolve 2 tablespoons
baking soda in 1
pint warm water. Add lemon juice or vinegar to cut grease. Visit
the National Wildlife Federation's "Get Green" web pages for more
ideas:
5 More BONUS IDEAS follow:

102)Kill roaches naturally – keep a spray bottle of soapy

water on hand. Spraying roaches directly with soapy water will kill
them.

103)Recycle your electronic gadgets!

With nearly one billion pounds of electronics
being discarded in the U.S. each year, the
National Wildlife Federation (NWF), is partnering
with Access Recycling to reduce the amount of
electronics

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ending up in landfills and incinerators. They recycle old phones, cell phones,
inkjet, laser toner, fax and copier cartridges, laptop computers, PDAs, and 60
or more desktop computers and accessories. Visit this website for
information on packaging and getting pre-paid FedEx labels:

104)Support industries that recycle tires by buying items made

from tires. You can find doormats, roofing, playground material, pet products
and much more.

105)Use antifreeze that contains propylene glycol rather than

ethylene glycol as it will eventually break down into water and carbon
dioxide. However, both are very toxic to pets and wildlife and the sweet taste
of the antifreeze attracts animals to any spills. And large quantities of glycol
can suffocate aquatic life and disrupt sewage treatment processes. Dispose
of correctly.

106)Don't use higher wattage bulbs than necessary. And

dust/clean your lamp shades and bulbs regularly to ensure maximum light.
Dirt absorbs light.

Well, there you have them – 101+ Ways to Help Our Earth.
There are

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many, many more but these should help you get started.
Remember – every little bit does make a difference! Choose one
or two ways to get started and when they become "second
nature" to you, add a few more.

And thank you for making a difference.

Together We Can Change The World!

I invite you to visit the following websites where you can continue
making a difference!

[Link] has many free gifts for you, E-

Cards, more E-books, and beautiful Prints you can download.

[Link] is the premier online fundraising mall with over

1,000 stores and millions of products. In order to go shopping you must
choose (or add) an Organization that you'd like to support. Each of your
purchases result in generous cash back rewards sent to the Cause of your
choice.

[Link] is a free site where you can

list (or find) service projects across the U.S. The first Saturday of every
month is Together We Can Change the World Day.

And take advantage of our Free Weekly eNewsletter. Sign up on any of the
above sites. It is chock full of simple ways you can make a difference, stories
about people who are changing our world a little bit every day, ideas, tips,
quotes, days to celebrate, and much more. To see a sample go the
[Link]

(See next page for acknowledgements and

resources.)

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In addition to websites sited, ideas were also found on the
following websites:

[Link]
m
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
Stop junk mail (
[Link]
and
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
y/
[Link]
ml
Nike Reuse-A-Shoe:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
Union of Concerned Scientists (
[Link] [Link]
Golden Fuel [Link] ([Link]
Grease Works ([Link]
Biodiesel [Link]
and [Link]
To learn more about where to find grass-fed beef go to
[Link] and for greater detail regarding grass-fed
and pasture-fed cattle (see #89) visit
[Link]
The American Grassfed Association maintains a list of
producers at [Link]
Kitchen composting [Link]
[Link]
To learn more about LEED and building green, visit their
website at [Link]
2
Ben & Jerry's [Link]
7
and [Link]