Celebrate Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day to you all! Little things make the biggest differences, and we all can do small things to help save energy and in return save our planet and its inhabitants. Most of us already do things that save energy without even knowing it because it also saves MONEY! 

Please read the following article for a few small things that are easy to do. 

Pick your green battles

By Lori Bongiorno

The sheer number of "green" choices we can make is astounding. And, since it's totally overwhelming (not to mention impossible) to try to do everything, it makes sense to stop worrying about the stuff that ultimately doesn't matter.

Instead focus on the areas where your actions will make the most difference. Making changes in what you eat, the way you get around, and how you use energy at home (and work) will have the biggest impact on the planet.

That's not to say that small things don't add up. They do, but some count more than others.

Don't stress!

Instead, focus your time and energy on these more important actions which will benefit the planet and save you money:

Eat less meat. Raising livestock is one of the most significant contributors to a long list of environmental problems from climate change to deforestation to water pollution. No one is suggesting you go vegan, but anything you can do to cut back on meat will make a big difference. Start by trimming down your portion size to about three ounces (the size of a deck of playing cards), suggests Aaron Huertas at The Union of Concerned Scientists.

 Take good care of your car. Tuning up your engine, replacing your air filters and motor oil regularly, and keeping your tires properly in flated will improve your car's fuel economy by 8% to 20%, according to Jenny Powers at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

 Make changes in how you do your laundry. Wash your clothes in cold water. Up to 90 percent of the energy used for washing clothing goes to heating water, according to the Department of Energy. Rack up even more savings by air-drying some of your clothing.

 Want to do more (or something different)?

Anything you can do to drive less or more efficiently will make a difference. Bundle errands, shop online, walk, bike, and take public transportation whenever you can. Try carpooling or telecommuting once a week. When it's time to buy a new car, purchase the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the class of car you need.

 There are countless ways you can save energy (and money) at home. Here's a short list of free and low-cost ways to make a difference  (in order from least to most impact): Turn out unneeded lights, unplug an extra fridge, use the energy-saving mode on appliances, install a programmable thermostat, seal large air leaks, or add insulation to your attic.

 

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.