A Start

When you see that your society and your government are engaged in destructive activity, Thoreau suggested that you engage in some civil disobedience. Failing to overturn a policy or societal behavior should lead one to at least withdraw support. So he stopped paying taxes he believed were supporting an unjust war. He was right, it was an imperialistic war (with Mexico, we took more than half of all of Mexico as a result), but what did his little protest do? Nothing, except that we are still talking about it as an example today. Each of us has the opportunity to be an example to those around us, to encourage others to take those first steps toward developing a culture dedicated to peace and sustainability. Riding my bike isn't going to end global warming, but more of my coworkers and friends and family may begin to consider doing the same and they in turn might encourage their friends and family. Change is slow. But we need to start.

So... where do we start? Here's a list that I suspect will continue to grow.

-Throw out your TV. Now. It contains programs and commercials that are perpetuating the type of hyper-consumer thinking that has gotten us into this mess in the first place.

Let's start with energy:

Household Energy:
-Plant trees around your house to keep it cooler.
-Open your windows at night.
-Install ceiling fans.
-Get used to it being a little warmer in your house.
-Turn off lights when you leave rooms.
-Trade all of those incandescent bulbs for CFLs (compact florescent lights) or LED (light emitting diode) bulbs-- they use WAY less energy.
-Add insulation to your attic.
-Wear a sweater.
-Hang your clothes on a line to dry.
-STOP watering your lawn. You'll mow less, too.
-If you have a small yard, use an old fashioned push reel mower.
-If you have a big yard, get an electric mower.
-Turn off your computer when you are done using it.
-Wrap your water heater in a heat conserving blanket. Turn it down. Or get rid of it. There are cool products that heat water as you need it. They're called tankless water heaters. Very smart.
-Move into a smaller home, or consider an apartment.

Petroleum:
-Stop eating meat.
-Buy local. Go to farmers markets, etc.
-Grow your own. Even a little will make a difference (remember the "victory gardens" of
WWII).
-DRIVE LESS: car pool, walk, take the bus, RIDE YOUR BIKE, ride the train, move closer to
work, live in a city, abandon the exurbs and suburbs.
-Drive smarter: start paying attention to your driving habits. Drive the speed limit, slowly start
from stoplights, coast to stoplights, coast down hills, keep your tires inflated properly. Check
out more advanced techniques: http://www.hypermiling.com/
-Fly less: this one is hard for a lot of people. We've developed a habit of extreme mobility.
Taking just a couple domestic flights a year doubles your household energy use. Take the
train, take a bus, or simply stay home more.
-Shop less, buy less stuff, buy stuff that uses less packaging.
-Stop using PLASTIC BAGS!! Don't take a bag for a few items. Bring your own bags for lots of stuff (groceries), or reuse the bags already in your home.

Here's a place to look for more energy reducing strategies:
http://www.ase.org/section/_audience/consumers