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Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Drive Wise

1. Reduce automobile use. Whenever possible walk, bike, car or van pool or use mass transit. 22 lbs. of CO2 is saved per gallon of gas saved.

2. Maintain your vehicle. Keep tires properly inflated, replace filters and keep tuned.
3. Don't top off gas or overfill tank. Avoid spilling gas at the fuel pump by carefully placing and removing the hose and nosle.
4. Combine trips. More cold starts mean more emissions.
5. Avoid idling, rush-hour traffic and use cruise control. Turn engine off, save fuel and keep air clean.
6. Purchase a fuel efficient or electric vehicle. Drive your newer car on long trips for better emission control.
7. Park in the shade when possible. Avoid evaporative emissions from your sun-heated gas tank.
8. Report smoking vehicles. 1-800-END-SMOG

Live Wise

9. Conserve energy. Turn off lights when you leave a room and replace bulbs with compact fleurescent bulbs, run the dishwasher only when full and use energy-setting to dry, wash cloths in warm or cold water instead of hot.
10. Ask your utility company for a home energy audit and tips. Add insulation where innefficient.
11. Don't over heat or cool rooms. Use a programmable thermostat or a fan instead of an air conditioner whenever possible.
12. Replace windows with the most energy-saving models. Caulk and weatherstrip around doors and windows.
13. Replace appliances with the most energy-efficient models. 3,000 lbs. of CO2 can be saved with an energy-efficient refridgerator.
14. Install low-flow shower heads to save hot water.
15. Wrap or insulate your hot water heater.
16. Clean or replace air filters. Cleaning an air conditioner filter can save 5% of the energy used.
17. Reduce waste. Buy less packaged goods, and choose recycled and reusable instead of disposable.
18. Plant trees around your house for shade. Paint your home a light color in a warm climate, a dark color in a cold climate.
19. Use a propane or gas barbecue instead of charcoal. Start briquettes with an electric probe.
20. Use a propane or gas barbecue instead of charcoal. Start briquettes with an electric probe.
21. Used water based paints and products. Look for products labeled zero VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
22. Consider manual or electric lawn equipment.
23. Recycle paper, plastic and metal.

Environmental and Human Health

1) Change your food -- make it organic

2) Remove/Replace pesticides around home

3) Remove/replace toxic cleaning supplies

4) get a chlorine removing shower filter

5) get a water filter

6) get an air filter

7) get rid of particleboard furniture

Top Ten Environmental Emphasis

1) dont use chlorine bleached paper, use recycled paper with peroxide

2) install low energy light (it'll save you money, too)

3) reuse as many things as you can

4) recycle

5) compost

6) buy recycled products

7) dispose of stuff the right way -- don't pollute

8) dont leave the water running

9) use gray water for plant watering

10) dont leave electric stuff plugged in