So you recycle and compost, you turn down the thermostat on winter nights and turn it up on summer days and you've replaced your obsolete incandescent lights. You carpool, use transit, cycle or walk most places. You buy local organic food and eat low on the food chain. You can't remember the last time you used a plastic bag for your groceries.
So now what?
Beyond the basics, most people think going green must by default mean spending money--often a great deal of it--on fancy technology. And it is true that adding PV panels to your roof or a wind turbine in your yard or a geothermal well can be costly; as can a hybrid vehicle. Certainly these do pay back over time, but many people can't afford the initial investment.
So what can you do?
1. Never underestimate the impact of smaller actions. Bringing along your own cutlery and containers to fast food restaurants makes a difference (better yet, pack your own food from home!). Watch your water usage; it takes energy to treat water and pump it into your home. Challenge yourself to reduce your usage of gas, electricity and oil.
2. Buy less. Buy used. Learn to repair items, or find someone who can. Try manual versions of appliances such as a can opener, chopper, food mill, etc. (You'll especially enjoy the benefits if you have to prepare food during a blackout!).
3. Avoid disposable items. Diapers, bags, razors, wipes, cloths, dishes, cups, cutlery, pens, tablecloths--all have reusable versions, which are better quality and will save money in the long run. If you are female, consider using a Diva cup or other silicone menstrual device.
4. Let your elected representatives know how you feel about environmental issues. Keep correspondence brief, and provide evidence where appropriate. Remind them often!
5. Teach the children in your life the importance of environmentally sound practices.
6. Ensure the children in your life do not suffer from nature deficit disorder by providing many opportunities for outdoor play in various natural settings and in all seasons.
7. Share your progress with others. Peer pressure can be a positive thing too!
8. Keep up to date on new technologies that might apply to your circumstances.
9. If you cannot replace your old leaky windows, re-caulk the edges and during the colder months, add a shrink-wrap film "pane" to conserve heat (kits can be found at any hardware store).
10. Research raw food recipes for ones that appeal to your family, and have a "raw food day" once or twice a week to save on cooking energy. When you do cook, make a double batch to serve at another meal.
11. Have yourself take off of any or all mailing lists, and subscribe to magazines and newspapers online. View these on a laptop rather than desktop computer if that is an option for you.
12. Check your mindset: do you think as a consumer or conserver? Relatives who have lived through the depression may have some enlightening tips on becoming thriftier and reducing wasteful habits. My grandmother once suggested I use dark fabric for diapers so I wouldn't need to bleach them down to white. She also had a recipe for making her own soap and could darn socks, mend holes and re-sew buttons in her sleep.
13. Learn to up-cycle items: old worn jeans can become a new handbag or backpack; holey underwear makes a great dust rag. Many more great ideas can be found online.
With all the interest in solar energy, a Newfoundlander has invented the ultimate in up-cycling. The main component to his solar heating panel is aluminum soft drink cans. It may just be that many of the ideas we need will involve ways to use common items and/or technologies we already have in new and innovative ways.
Other innovations to look for: refrigerators with outdoor venting options, cars with carbon fiber bodies and cold fusion (hey, we can dream, right?!).
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