There are people who, when asked about saving the environment, still picture the air, the trees, the oceans and wildlife in their heads and think some magic environmental expert somewhere is taking care of business. They think it is well beyond their capabilities, so don’t pay much attention. Luckily some of our daily life has changed enough so we have been forced to do the right thing without knowing it.

Here is a list things people can do to help our planet, our world, our environment. Read it with the goal of finding at least five things to change immediately and at least five things you already do so you can pat yourself on the back and know that you really are doing something.

1. Turn off appliances when not in use, like televisions and computers.
2. The use of power strips makes this easy. This will save 30% more electricity.
3. Lower and Raise thermostat accordingly to save energy. Use extra blankets in the cold weather and tolerate just a little more heat in hot weather.
4. Make sure your house is fully insulated.
5. Use windows to regulate heat. Open sunny areas for heat from sun in the winter; pull blinds in the summer. Open windows for cool breezes.
6. Use ceiling fans as much as possible.
7. Fill in any gaps in your home where air leaks in and out.
8. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL). Some electric companies such as Salt River Product in the SW United States has a free offer of six free bulbs sent to your home.
9. Turn off lights when not using a room.
10. Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible.
11. Recycle everything you can: paper, metals, glass and organics.
12. Air dry your dishes.
13. Avoid creating unnecessary trash. Avoid disposables by using cloths for dishes instead of sponges and real washable towels instead of paper in the kitchen.
14. Update your refrigerator. New ones use 40% less energy.
15. Shower instead of baths will save water. Use efficient showerheads and consider showering together with mates.
16. Use phosphate free soaps and detergents.
17. Install low flush toilets.
18. Women: consider using reusable sanitary products monthly like the cup, tampon products.
19. Use recycled paper in home office.
20. Drive less by walking, using public transport or carpooling; buy a fuel efficient car or consider giving up car altogether.
21. Use a bicycle and keep it maintained.
22. Dispose of hazardous materials like paint, oils and pesticides through community methods or landfills.
23. Plant native to your area. Takes less water and will be hardier. Do not plant lawns in the dessert.
24. Plant a tree or two. They absorb carbon dioxide, provide shade and are homes for birds and wildlife. Some trees will even provide a harvest for your table.
25. Reduce your lawn or entirely remove it. Lawns are costly to maintain, chemicals used are harmful, and lawn mowers cause pollution. Replace with rock, shrubs, ground covers, garden structures or gardens.
26. Create a compost heap.
27. Don’t pre-rinse clothes or dishes.
28. Don’t pre-heat ovens. Turn oven on as you place the casserole or item into the oven.
29. Potty train youngsters early to cut down on disposable diapers, or use cloth only.
30. Hang dry.
31. Go vegetarian once a week.
32. Wash in cold or warm water.
33. Use one less paper napkin or towel each day.
34. Use both sides of paper.
35. Use creativity in wrapping gifts. Use newsprint, especially cartoons, cloth, maps or re-use gift bags.
36. Rethink bottled water. The EPA’s standards on tap water are much higher than the FDA’s for bottled water in plastic.
37. Brush teeth without running water.
38. Use cruise control in the car whenever possible.
39. Shop second-hand stores.
40. Buy locally.
41. Re-use coffee and tea cups, instead of throw-aways. Batch errands for efficiency.
42. Mark your plastic cup at an outdoor event, so as not to take another when they all look alike.
43. Recycle old cell phones.
44. Maintain your vehicle.
45. Telecommute if possible.
46. Keep your fireplace damper closed.
47. Cut down on junk mail.
48. Choose matches over lighters.
49. Lookup numbers online get rid of phone books.
50. Give away or donate. Use this website www.freecycle.org
51. Use car wash instead of doing it yourself.
52. Limit use of plastic bags.
53. Use e-ticketing when flying.
54. Download new software versus buying the hard copy.
55. Replace answering machines with voicemail service.
56. Skip stirrers in your daily coffee.
57. Don’t use rock salt for snow and ice. Use a pet-safe deicer product instead.
58. There are even cotton swabs with paper stems instead of plastic that are more environmental friendly.
59. Pay bills online, stop paper bank statements.

Did you find them? Five things you already do? Congratulations! Did you find five new things to change? Great. Now, the last thing on the list is to SHARE this information with others.