Image by Per Ola Wiberg / Creative Commons

I don’t know about where you live, but it has been getting pretty hot around here. Temperatures have been closing in on 100°F and I’d say it is about time for some eco-friendly summer tips. Last year I covered this topic as well, and I figured it would be worth repeating, especially for those of you who missed out. So in honor of the “greenie” in all of us, here are my eco-friendly summer tips that are worth repeating:

1. Let in some light. Why waste electricity in your house or workplace, when all you need to do is open the blinds and you’ve got light.

2. Get a few living air purifiers aka indoor plants. They will liven up your home as well as help fight indoor air pollution, which is often worse than most of us realize.

3. Plant some native plants. There are many reasons why you should do this, but here are a few good reasons to plant native species in your garden. Of course, one of the best reasons is that you won’t waste so much water.

4. Start your own backyard (or front yard) garden and grow some fresh fruits and vegetables. They’re organic and they taste better. Here are a few ideas for vegetables to plant in July.

5. Find out when your local Farmers’ Market is being held and go there to get some in-season, local produce.

Image by Andy Fell

6. Eat at home. Get away from processed foods and start making more meals at home. It’s cheaper and better for you too.

7. Remember to practice healthy summer grilling tips. And even though it isn’t grilled, I wanted to share my new favorite recipe, Anita’s Lime Avocado Quinoa Salad, and yes, this tasty recipe is perfect for summer picnics and parties.

8. If you need to do any driving, slow down a little. Not only will it help with your fuel consumption but it will help you enjoy your drive time. A proven fuel additive wouldn’t hurt either…hint, hint.

9. Quit idling. Just turn off the car. Turn it back on when you are ready to go again. It’s that simple and it saves gas and harmful emissions. (The new Malibu Eco has a cool feature that switches off the gas-guzzling engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and lets it idle on a lithium-oin battery.)

10. If you can walk or ride your bike instead, then do so. Many people don’t consider this as a viable option, but just think how much you used to walk around when you were younger. Those feet were made for walking.

Image by one2c900d

11. If you need to go somewhere a little further away, check public transportation options. Riding the bus or taking the train are smart ways to get around during the summer.

12. Make the simple change so you do all your energy-heavy chores off peak hours. Do your laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cooking, etc. at night. Doing so will cut your energy bill and help prevent your home from heating up unnecessarily during the day.

13. Skip the dryer and hang your clothes out to dry. If you have the space to do so, might as well take advantage of it.

14. Plan a staycation. Maybe you don’t have time to go on a full-blown vacation. Maybe you’d rather stay closer to home. Either way, here are 25 great ideas you can incorporate into your staycation plans.

15. If you are planning on going camping this summer, be sure you learn how to have a “leave no trace” camping trip. Some simple basics can help ensure others will be able to experience the beauty of your camping spot just as you did.

16. Is the thought of going somewhere to camp during the summer months a little too daunting? Set up camp in the backyard. Especially if you have kids, this is a great idea for a smart, eco-friendly activity the entire family will enjoy.

Image by zet

17. Have a potluck get-together. Invite family and friends over for a picnic or backyard party. Ask them each to bring a specific food item (in a reusable container) along with their own dinnerware, cups, etc. This way you’ll have a great mix of foods and drinks. Plus, there will be very little clean up or waste afterward. Check out these green picnic tips.

18. Remember the sunscreen. But not just any sunscreen, you need to choose a non-toxic sunscreen so you aren’t polluting your skin or the environment.

19. Drink, but don’t waste water. Your body needs water to stay healthy and hydrated. So you need to drink water. Don’t waste it though. Any “leftover water” can be used to water plants, give to your pets, etc. Just be aware of what you are doing and you will probably save quite a bit.

20. Unplug. Even if you missed this challenge on the 4th of July, it doesn’t mean you too can’t make a personal commitment to unplug more and reconnect with family and friends. Declare your independence from technology.

Image by Ben

21. Since you are going to unplug, get outside! That’s right, I saved this one for last, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t important. It’s key not only for your health, but your peace of mind to get outside, breathe in some fresh air and enjoy nature a little bit. Go for a hike, a walk, a bike ride, relax in the pool, sit on the porch…whatever you do, just get outside for a bit every day.

There you have it. 25 simple eco-friendly tips to help you get through the summer. If you have any personal favorites, let me know. I’d be happy to hear what eco-friendly things you’ve got planned for the summer. Have a great one and as I always say, have a biofriendly day!

You may not be aware of it, but May is National Bike Month. That’s right…all you avid bicyclists, closet weekend riders and newbies alike can pull out your bicycles and proudly ride to work for National Bike Month. Of course every month is a good month to ride your bike because bike riding is one of the most biofriendly modes of transportation.

Image by Jeff Moser

There are many benefits to riding your bike to work, both personally and for the environment. Let’s check out just a few of them:

1) Health and Exercise: Riding your bike is a great form of exercise. Instead of sitting in your car every day and driving to work in traffic, ride your bike instead. You burn calories, improve your flexibility and coordination, increase your endurance, build up strength, etc. You’ll probably find you’re more alert and aware at work as well. Besides, it’s one of the simplest forms of exercise.

2) Stress Reducer: If you’re looking for a simple, fun way to reduce stress, go for a bike ride. It gets you outdoors, you can look around, get some fresh air, relax, etc. Nothing takes your mind off your day-to-day troubles quite like a calming bike ride. It’ll brighten your day and energize both your body and mind.

For those of you who still aren’t sure riding your bike would be a good stress reducer for you, here’s a Guide to a Simple Bike Commute that will help you have an enjoyable, stress-free ride.

3) Green in more ways than one: Not only will you save green by riding your bike, but it’s a green, environmentally-friendly form of transportation. Bikes don’t emit harmful emissions, manufacturing emissions are a lot lower for a bike than those for a vehicle, it’s cheaper than buying a second family car (or a first for that matter), bikes don’t require gasoline, they are easier to maintain and you can usually get around faster.

NOTE: For those who live in the Los Angeles area, MetroLA has put together a simple PDF on How to Use a Bike with Transit. If you’re not in LA, check with your local bus and train provider to get additional information on your area. Look for specials and deals, especially in celebration of National Bike to Work Week or Day.

So, even if you don’t live within bike riding distance to work, there are still ways you can ride to work. You can ride to your local Metro or train station, then load your bicycle on the train with you, ride to a stop near your office and ride your bicycle to work.

Remember to let your boss and office know about National Bike to Work Month. Maybe the whole company will get behind it and all start riding to work! National Bike to Work week is being broadly promoted from May 16th through May 20th, with National Bike Day on May 20th. Although different cities will vary on their individual Bike to Work days, such as the San Francisco Bay Area Bike to Work Day being held on May 12th.

Here’s a little video about last year’s Bike to Work Day in Washington D.C.:

And for those who would like a few pointers on How to Bike to Work, you can check out this video:

Last but not least, keep in mind that while using a proven fuel additive can help lower emissions and improve fuel efficiency, riding your bike will help on many fronts, including making a serious dent in your transportation spending habits. It’s simple logic: riding a bike is a smart, healthy, inexpensive and biofriendly way to get where you need to go.

Bicycle park at railway station by markhillary

If you haven’t heard yet, May is National Bike Month. It’s the perfect opportunity (or excuse) for you to dust off your bicycle and green up your transportation. Besides, Summer is coming soon and you’ll want to be in shape and ready to ride, right?!

Bike to Work week comes up next week, with National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 21st, so there’s no time like the present to map out and test your route to work. Even if you haven’t ridden a bike for awhile, just remember the old saying, “It’s just like riding a bike” and in this case it really is. You can also check out biking events in your area to meet up with other riding enthusiasts.

So, in celebration of bike month, let’s take a look at some of the bicycles we’ve seen through the ages:

The mid-1860s saw one of the first “riding machines” or bicycles, the Velocipede or Boneshaker. The Velocipede was actually created by taking a two-wheeled walking machine (which was kind of like a bicycle but without pedals) and adding the pedals. The pedals were placed on the front wheel and even though it was faster than walking, it got its nickname as it wasn’t exactly one of your more comfortable rides.

Next came high-wheeled bicycles, the first all metal bicycles. I’m sure you’ve seen these in photos. They too had the pedals on the front wheel.

These particular bicycles were a little more “high-end”. The front wheel was 58 inches or so and the larger the front wheel the faster the bicycle went. They were also very popular amongst well-to-do young men, the only major drawback on them gaining further popularity was the cost.  An average high-wheeler would set a working man back 6 month’s pay.

Image by Mild Mannered Photographer

After that came the high-wheeled safety bicycles. The main difference here was the large tire was in back and the smaller one in front. These were actually designed in an attempt to reduce the number of “headers” off the front of the bicycle.

The next round of bicycles were closer to both the original riding machines and the bicycles of today. Both tires were the same size but the pedals were put on gears, rather than being on the front tire. The metal provided a sturdy frame while at the same time being light enough to be human-powered.

Skip forward many years to the year you got your first Corvette…a Schwinn Corvette that is. Nothing could have been better, with its “super-speed” design and 3-speed gears, you were destined to be the cool kid on the block.

What about a bike with a banana seat? Did you ever have one of those? They were pretty popular when I was growing up. Mine wasn’t quite like this one equipped monkey bars, a banana seat and sissy bars, but it was still fun to ride.

Of course, nowadays if you are looking for a bike, you’re probably looking for one that’s not only comfortable and stylish but one that is green as well.

Here’s a bike that would fit right into those parameters…the Trek Belleville (tks Chris Baskind for the tip). The Trek Belleville is put together, from start to finish, with the environment in mind. They didn’t set out to simply design a new bike, they set out to ensure their bikes would be able to complete a full circle of birth, life and then recycling into an afterlife.

Here are some of the eco-friendly features it has:

- front and rear racks for carrying whatever you need (okay, well not anything you need, but they’ll definitely work for a trip to the Farmer’s Market),

- generator lights are powered as you pedal, thus removing the need for batteries,

- tires are made from reground and sustainable harvest rubber, and

- it has a recyclable steel frame, which also cuts down on vibrations to give you a more comfortable ride.

Image from TrekBikes.com

When it comes to the bicycle, we’ve come a long way. But one thing has stayed the same, it’s still a green way to get around. It’s faster than walking and better for the environment than driving. An extra bonus is riding your bike is a great way to exercise. So, what was your favorite bicycle growing up? What do you have now?

When you hear someone talk about biofriendly driving they aren’t just referring to lowering your emissions or saving money. Biofriendly driving is about doing what you can to lower the “footprint” you are leaving as a result of you driving in the first place.

Now, someone who drives to work is obviously going to emit more emissions than someone who rides their bike or car-pools to work. And, of course, someone who drives a hybrid is going to emit less emissions than a gas-guzzling co-worker. But what’s the difference in terms of environmental impact and are there specific driving tips that can help lower that impact?

1) First tip, before you buy a new vehicle, do a comparison. Take a look at key points including cost of the vehicle, MPG, cost of fuel, estimated fuel consumption (don’t forget to factor in savings if you use a good fuel additive), carbon footprint, EPA air pollution score and more.

Fueleconomy.gov has a great comparison tool where you can see all this information at a glance. Take a look at the difference between a 2010 Ford Fusion, a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and a 2010 Ford Fusion FFV (Flex-fuel vehicle).

2) Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving actually wastes gas. Driving sensibly can improve your fuel economy between 5-30% on average. It also helps lower the wear and tear on your brakes and tires. There is no reason to rapidly accelerate if you know you are going to have to slam on the brakes a moment later.

3) Follow the rules of the road. Speeding, running red lights, not paying attention to pedestrians, texting while driving, etc are all things that will adversely affect not just you but people around you. This simple tip can save time, gas, money and lives.

You don’t want to be a Mr. Wheeler…

4) I’ve said it many times before, but if you are going to drive please ensure you keep your vehicle properly maintained. Getting regular oil changes, rotating your tires and ensuring they are properly inflated, checking fluid levels, basic maintenance, etc. all help extend the life of your vehicle. Proper maintenance also cuts down on repair costs.

Using the correct oil can also help you save money and improve gas mileage. Did you know there are even “Energy Conserving” oils? But don’t be fooled, even though oils with that designation have passed tests showing the oil has the ability to conserve energy, the API states “…a particular vehicle operator may not experience a fuel savings as a result of using these oils.” Doesn’t say it won’t help, but you might want to check your owner’s manual.

5) When traveling long distances, try using your cruise control. Maintaining a constant speed can sometimes help save gas. Using your cruise control also can help keep your legs from getting sore on a long trip.

6) Drive less. It may sound like a funny way to drive, but driving less saves you money, gas and save on the harmful emissions your vehicle releases into the environment. I don’t mean you have to sit at home. Walk to your destinations. Ride your bike. Car-pool or ride-share. Take public transportation.

Try it….leave your vehicle at home one day a week and see what a difference it can make.

7) Tap into your GPS navigation. People who use their GPS to figure out where they are going ahead of time, typically spend less time on the road and less time looking for their intended destination. Saves time, money and frustration.

For those of you who are looking for more, you might want to check out a backseat smart driver:

Do you have any biofriendly driving tips that help you save? I’d love to hear them. Remember, drive safe and drive smart!

What’s the first thing you think when I say Las Vegas? Before you get too far, I can probably guarantee “environmental commitment” was not what you were thinking.  I know personally I don’t tend to think green or environmental when I think about Las Vegas. As a matter of fact I was just there over the weekend with my family and between all the new building construction, road repairs and renovations, plus everything being lit up all night long, the idea of much in Las Vegas being good for the environment didn’t enter my mind.

However, the new CityCenter™ wants us to start thinking differently about Las Vegas.  The CityCenter, which is part of the MGM Mirage™ group of properties, is looking to get fully LEED® certified.  Can you imagine any property on the Las Vegas Strip being that green or environmentally-aware?  Well, that’s what the plans are for the new CityCenter.  And let me tell you….this new property is HUGE.  We aren’t talking about one or even two buildings, there are six major buildings in the CityCenter complex (many of which are scheduled to open this week).  The CityCenter was reportedly designed and built all with the environment in mind…sort-of a sustainable community in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip where people could live, work and play all within one “center”.

As an example, their commitment to recycling started before construction even began.  When they removed the old Boardwalk hotel in preparation to build the new CityCenter, they didn’t just tear it down, they recycled or reused around 85% of the old building.  Why waste when you can reuse?  For future recycling, they are set up to recycle materials including paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metals, kitchen grease, etc.

Over 50% of the wood used in the Aria and Crystals was built using wood from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests. During construction a concrete production plant was set up on site to reduce transportation of concrete to and from the property.  I’m sure Las Vegas visitors and guests appreciated not having that extra traffic too!  Local manufacturers were used whenever possible – most within a 500-mile radius.

In terms of design, one very cool feature is their indoor airflow system – the Aria, in specific, was designed to have air flow from the floor to the ceiling in order to lift smoke up and off the casino floor.   Most casinos have air flow from the ceiling down to the floor…which is why the smoke seems to linger.  Aria’s design makes for a more comfortable and healthy indoor environment.

There are ENERGY STAR appliances in all the residence/condominium units, low watt lights in the parking garages and non-toxic cleaning supplies are used.   They use a combination of window glazing, blinds and light-colored rooftops to help cut down on the energy required to cool the buildings.  But that’s not all…they generate their own electricity on site.  That’s right – they have a centralized power plant that uses natural gas to create electricity.  The emitted heat is then captured and used to heat the water in the buildings, rooms and pools.

In terms of water, low-flow showers, sinks and toilet fixtures were installed to help save an estimated 50 million gallons of water per year at the CityCenter.   Native and/or desert plants were used in the landscaping design as they will require 60% less water than traditional landscaping.

Alternative fuel options (CNG) were put in place for the Aria limousine fleet, however they do encourage walking and/or biking especially since the CityCenter was designed to have most major amenities and services available within a 1/2 mile radius.  Buses and the monorail are also located within about 1/4 mile of the CityCenter.  Guests who bike to the CityCenter, they will have full use of valet services and residents will have bicycle storage facilities in their building.  Employees, guests and residents who drive hybrid or electric vehicles will be rewarded with preferred parking.  Employees and residents can also earn rewards through Club Ride (a program offered by RTC of Southern Nevada to help reduce congestion and improve air quality).

Now, as far as environmental commitment goes, I’d say the CityCenter has done and is set up to do a pretty good job of raising awareness about the environment and sustainable living in Las Vegas.  Did they need to build all those buildings and new hotels in the first place?  Well, that’s a different story – but I seriously applaud them for their actions towards making Las Vegas more environmentally-aware!