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!

Image by Creativity103 / Creative Commons

The year is coming to a close and while some people may be fearful of making New Year’s resolutions, because they rarely keep them, here are 10 resolutions you’ll probably find pretty easy to keep. The key is to keep this in mind: go small and go simple.

I think it is important to make resolutions you can include in your daily routine. Whether your resolution is to recycle your water bottle, switch to using reusable bottles, or turn off the water when you brush your teeth, just pick one small, simple action per day. These little actions will add up throughout the year until you’ve actually made some fairly significant and smart, green changes in your life.

1. Smile. Once every day, for no reason at all, smile. Even laugh a little if you feel like, and definitely if you don’t feel like it. You will find a smile or laugh will brighten your day and your mood. Try it, it really does work.

2. Unplug. I don’t just mean at the end of the day. I mean at various times throughout the day. Whether it’s deciding to unplug while you enjoy your lunch break, unplug while you take a quick walk, unplug while you run to the grocery store, or whatever. The key is to get unplugged. Yes we live in a technology-driven society, but that doesn’t mean your electronic devices need to define who you are and what you do.

3. Grow something of your own. I mean grow some vegetables, or maybe a few herbs to add some new flavors to your food. If you think you have nowhere to grow anything or don’t know how, check out UrbanOrganicGardner.com. My friend Mike has some wonderful tips and ideas, stemming from his personal experiences, for growing food right on your balcony.

4. Even if you are not a vegetarian, nor have any desire to become one, try skipping meat at least one day a week. Opt for another type of protein. It’s a relatively simple thing to do and if you need some good recipes, I recommend the recipes at Green Wine Guide. Jerry can take almost any food and make it look and taste good.

5. Cut down on your water waste. This one has many facets. You can turn off the water when you brush your teeth, take shorter showers, use bathtub water to water plants, put your lawn sprinklers on timers (or opt for native plants instead of a lawn), only wash dishes with a full dishwasher, only run your washing machine with a full load, use a waterless car wash and more. You simply need to act.

6. Be a smarter consumer. Whether this applies to food, goods, materials, clothes or whatever, the idea is to buy only those items which you and your family will truly use. If you don’t need to buy a bulk package of carrots, don’t. Be honest with yourself and figure out which items you tend to let go to waste, then make a change to become a smarter consumer. I’ll bet you notice your costs will go down and the amount you throw away will go down too.

7. Go outside. I say this a lot and I really mean it. Every day resolve to go outside, look around and soak in the beauty of nature around you. Not only will the light of day do you some good, but you might find you like it and then you’ll spend even more time outdoors.

8. Ditch the car. Wait…before you start ranting about how you cannot do that, all I’m talking about here is ditching your car for one day a week. Try going car-less at least once a week and see how you like it. Walk, ride your bike, jog, take public transportation, whatever will get you where you need to go without driving your car.

As an added bonus, for those of you who are interested, Biofriendly Corporation has a proven fuel additive that can help you lower emissions while improving your fuel economy (on those days you do drive).

9. Throughout the year, take any good deed another does for you and pay it forward instead of backward. Do a selfless act for someone else. Not because it would be cool, or because you expect to get something in return, but because it’s a good thing to do. Can you imagine all the good will if we all took steps to pay it forward? If you need help, here are 3 Eco-Friendly Ways to Pay it Forward.

10. Last but not least, as my friends at EcoSalon put it so well, “Hope Less. Realize more.” This one is pretty simple when you think about it. Stop hoping things will happen and take responsibility for making them happen. This is probably one of the most basic resolutions anyone can make.

There are many green New Year’s resolutions you can and probably will make today, tomorrow and throughout the year. I say, if you’re going to make them, make them simple so you can actually get them done. Wishing you and yours a truly happy and biofriendly New Year!

Image by charmar/creative commons

Believe it or not, the work week has come to an end yet again. But before you head out for the weekend, and whatever activities you and your family have planned, I wanted to share a few of the green and environmental articles that came across my plate this last week. I know if you are as busy as I am, it’s nice to have a recap or place to get a little injection of information. So, here is your weekly glimpse into the world of green:

1)Videos on Fuel Efficiency to Help Reduce Emissions and Save Money: Who doesn’t like to save money? And if you can do so while lowering your emissions, then you’ve got a win-win situation. Here are a few videos which give you some tips to help you do just that! Oh and of course, using a proven fuel additive (hint,hint) can also do wonders for your emissions and fuel efficiency.

2) Ford, SunPower Want to Plug Homes, Electric Cars into Solar Energy: Of course having a hybrid or electric car is a great way to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Add to that the use of solar energy to power your EV (and your home at the same time) and you cut down your dependence on the oil industry and coal industry at the same time.

3) Solar Powered Street Lights and Trash Can “City Context”: Okay, I like this idea. The idea of having street lights not only powered by the sun, but also using them as receptacles for trash, recycling, etc. In my opinion this type of idea could lead to much cleaner, greener public spaces.

4) Solar Grill Stores Latent Heat for 25-Hour Cook Time at 450F: The sun generates an enormous amount of heat and power, tapping into that energy is smart not only to power vehicles and lights, but to use for cooking as well. This solar grill might just be the answer to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable cooking option for both the developing and modern world.

5) Passive Solar – As Old As The Sun Itself: Since I was on the subject of solar power, this particular article by my friend Nan came to mind. Although there are many innovative ways to capture the power of the sun, there is nothing new about passive solar.

6) 7 Ways to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week: National Farmers’ Market Week is quickly coming to an end. If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the fresh, organic and local goods offered at a farmers’ market near you, now is the time to do so.

Last but not least, I want to share this article, These small steps add up to a greener daily routine. Although it’s nice to read about different green and environmentally-friendly things going on around the world, it’s even better to be able to implement some green into your own life. I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse into the world of green. Here’s to hoping to get to enjoy some time outdoors. Have a truly biofriendly weekend!

Image by Adam Campbell

Summer is here and although most of us will be working or will be on our computers most of the time, I figured I’d give you a few tips to help make your summer a little more eco-friendly. Not every tip will relate to everyone, but there is bound to be something in here that you can use to help you have an eco-friendly summer.

Here we go:

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.

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. 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!

Well, the weekend has arrived. Many of you may be heading off for a holiday getaways or perhaps you have plans to spend time with family. Hopefully each of you will get a little time to log off and enjoy the great outdoors this weekend too! It’s going to be a scorcher here, but we’re looking forward to being unplugged and enjoying the fun and sun!

Image by Rupert Ganzer

However, before we all head out, take a look at this week’s Weekly Greens – the holiday weekend edition:

1) Urban Water Transportation: Introducing the CAT, City Aquatic Transportation. Designed for seaside cities, these vehicles are geared to travel along the waterways in order to help relieve congestion on the roads. To top that off, they are driven via auto-pilot. What do think of these?

2) New Air Powered Car Will Soon Be Floating Around India’s Streets: Here’s another one I thought was pretty cool. This car would have a range of about 300km (186 miles) and would only cost around $2 for “refueling”. It’s no sports car, but when you need a vehicle to get around, run errands, commute to work, etc. it seems like a great option. Oh…it goes up to 65mph too!

3) Stop Idling And Turn Off Your Car: This one is something anyone can do, well anyone with a car that is. If you expect to be idling for more than 15-30 seconds, turn off your engine. If you are sitting waiting for someone, turn off your car. If it gets too warm inside, roll down the windows.

Bonus tip: To further improve your fuel economy and lower your vehicle’s emissions, use a proven fuel additive.

4) Humans Dwarf Volcanoes for CO2 Emissions: Speaking of the subject of emissions, this one definitely gives us something to ponder. No question we can make some changes in our lives, don’t you agree?

5) Wrapping Your Mind Around a Personal 20-20-20 Action Plan: Here’s an idea. Very simple in concept and something that everyone should look at doing. Cutting emissions by 20%, increasing use of renewables by 20% and decreasing energy consumption 20% all by 2020. Are you up for it?

6) Start Growing Your Own Food and Gardening: This one will eventually sink in with everyone. Not only does fresh food taste much better, it’s safer to know what you are eating and it’s fun too. Which reminds me, I need to get some more supplies. The kids and I have some gardening to do!

7) How to Repel Mosquitos Naturally: This one I thought was perfect for the holiday weekend. With temperatures rising, it’s good to know how to stave off those pesky mosquitoes without using strong chemicals and toxic sprays.

So there you have it. I hope you enjoyed this week’s Weekly Greens! One last note, remember to keep these tips in mind when you attend or throw any 4th of July parties. Have a happy and biofriendly weekend!

Image by Enokson

There is a lot of talk about going green. Thankfully governments, businesses and individuals around the world are beginning to take actions to back up that talk. From opting for alternative energies such as wind, hydro or the solar panels at Verengosolar.com to switching to lower emission transportation options, from growing their own food to putting reduce, recycle, reuse and even precycle plans into place. If you look at it, making life more environmentally-friendly simply makes sense.

Image by Pauline Roupski

If your day-to-day actions are more environmentally-friendly you not only help the environment, but you can benefit financially, physically and mentally as well. For example, getting rid of toxic chemicals in your home and using natural cleaners will cost less, it will cut down on the number of toxins you are exposing yourself and the environment to and it will have a more positive impact on your indoor air quality. I could go on and on, but instead, let me give you 50 simple ways you can make your day-to-day life more environmentally-friendly:

1 – Grow your own food.
2 – Eat less meat.
3 – Cut down on processed foods.
4 – Don’t eat foods or drink from BPA-lined containers.
5 – Open windows to let in fresh air.
6 – Open blinds to let in natural light.
7 – Fight “vampire power”.
8 – Get energy-efficient appliances and electronics.
9 – Take shorter showers.
10 – Wash clothes using cold water.
11 – Hang clothes on a clothesline to dry.
12 – Use leftover bathwater or “greywater” to water plants.
13 – Turn off lights when not in use.
14 – Turn off water when brushing teeth.
15 – Don’t let water run while washing dishes.
16 – Run the dishwasher or washing machine only when there is a full load.
17 – Use waterless car wash to wash your car or bike.
18 – Take public transportation.
19 – Walk or ride your bike.
20 – Use a proven fuel additive when you do drive.
21 – Combine multiple errands into one trip.
22 – Get rid of chemical cleaners.
23 – Use natural materials to clean.
24 – Make your own natural shampoo.
25 – Make your own natural lotion, skin masks and cleansers.
26 – Get outside every day for some sunlight and fresh air.
27 – Print documents as little as possible.
28 – Recycle bottles, cans, newspapers, etc.
29 – Donate items you no longer need or use.
30 – Use reusable bags at the grocery store.
31 – Use reusable containers at home.
32 – Make meals using leftovers.
33 – Freeze foods before it goes bad.
34 – Reduce your food waste.
35 – Compost.
36 – Plant a tree.
37 – Start or contribute to a community garden.
38 – Landscape your own yard with native plants.
39 – Buy used rather than new.
40 – Set thermostat 1-2 degrees lower.
41 – Get a reusable water bottle (and use it!).
42 – Opt for paperless billing.
43 – Pay your bills electronically.
44 – Do a home energy audit.
45 – Fix any leaky faucets to prevent water waste.
46 – Turn old t-shirts into “new” cleaning rags.
47 – Get rid of one-use items (disposable razors, diapers, plasticware, etc).
48 – Read magazines, newspapers and other publications online.
49 – Unsubscribe or cancel all junk mail.
50 – Unplug at least once a day so that you can enjoy nature and the environment around you.

One key thing to keep in mind as you go about your day-to-day activities is the old Native American proverb,

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.“

Image by Vijay

With that in mind see how many of these 50 simple ways to make your life more environmentally-friendly you can implement into your life. And yes, there are many other ways people can green their lives, but I figured these 50 ways made for a good start. I’d love to hear what steps you are taking to make your life more environmentally-friendly!

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.

Earth Hour 2011 is being held, Saturday March 26th at 8:30pm. Millions of people across the globe will be turning off their lights for an hour to show their support in making a stand against climate change. But is there really a biofriendly reason behind Earth Hour or is it simply a gimmick to get people to “protest” climate change?

Well, some people would say it’s more of a gimmick or something done strictly for publicity sake. I mean, why bother turning off your lights for just one hour? What kind of real difference is that going to make? People are probably going to go back to their usual habits the next day anyway, aren’t they?

However there are those who believe that getting the message out about climate change, and how individuals can combat climate change, is what Earth Hour is all about. For those people, Earth Hour is simply the chosen time when millions of people from countries around the world join together as one to show their combined support.

Personally, I think it could be a little of both. But, I do feel those who fail to take the time to learn about the purpose and history of Earth Hour are actually missing out. Earthhour.org explains it well when they say:

“Earth Hour has done a lot to raise awareness of sustainability issues. But there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year. It’s all about giving people a voice and working together to create a better future for our planet.”

So whether or not you believe in climate change or are even concerned about it, you need to ask yourself…What kind of condition do you want to leave this planet in for your children and grandchildren? The biofriendly idea behind Earth Hour is all about doing something of benefit to the planet. Taking steps, no matter how big or how small, to prolong the survival of Earth as we know it.

With that in mind, it’s clear that Earth Hour is much more than one symbolic hour. It’s all about people going beyond the hour, taking the extra step to make a change in their life.

Consider Earth Hour your next step in making a difference. Then follow that up with further steps, including but not limited to the following:

1) If you’re truly interested in cleaning up and preserving the planet, then there should be no more global warming, just global cleaning.

2) Practice water save techniques. Conserving water is something every one of us can do. And remember, while you may have easy 24-hour access to water, not everyone in the world does.

3) Start growing some of your own food. There’s no better way to ensure you are eating organic food than to grow it yourself. Additionally, growing your own food is something you can do to combat rising food prices.

4) With gas prices on the rise, many people are looking at ways they can cut down on their gasoline consumption. Of course, getting an electric or hybrid vehicle would help. Using a proven fuel additive helps increase fuel efficiency and lower emissions too. Then there is carpooling, car-sharing, public transportation, etc. Whatever option fits you best is something you can do to lessen your pain at the pump. Please remember to keep these 10 Not So Biofriendly Motorist Mistakes in mind as well.

When it all comes down to it, instead of celebrating Earth Hour because everyone else is, go “Beyond the Hour” and decide what action(s) you are going to take to combat climate change and make the world a more biofriendly place to live.

Image by timsnell

Since we’re already hot and heavy into the holiday season, not everyone may be paying as much attention to the impact they are having on the environment as they were before the holidays started. There are chores to do, errands to run, gifts to buy, parties to plan, etc. But please remember,”being green” isn’t about caring for the environment when it’s convenient. It’s about making daily green and eco-friendly choices.

So let’s take a look as some ways to be smart about your indoor and outdoor environmental health:

1) Candles: Candles are great around the holidays, especially for decoration and setting the mood for a room or party.

However, candles are also big contributors to indoor air pollution. So be sure to check out eco-friendly candles if you want holiday candles in your home.

Image by Jorbasa

2) Cleaning: During the holidays people tend to stay inside more. Whether it’s because they are visiting with family or making lots of holiday foods or just because they want to stay warm, people spend a lot of time indoors. Therefore it is important that you use greener cleaning supplies. Nobody wants to spend the holidays breathing in chemicals.

3) Keeping the house warm: If you use home heating oil to keep your house warm, you can lower your costs and help the environment (inside and out) by using Green Plus® liquid fuel catalyst.

It is a simple, yet effective way to allow you to stay warm during the holidays without burning your money away.

Image by ripkas

4) Food: Buying local is one of the simplest ways to cut down on emissions, help the local economy and get fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s also a great way to freshen up your holiday meals. Fresh, in-season foods can make for great new dishes.

Image by Ned Raggett

Turn down your heater while cooking. The natural heat generated from the oven will help heat your home. Also turn off the oven a few minutes before your food is done. There is enough heat generated in the oven that your food will continue to cook, without having to waste money.

5) Vehicle emissions: If you have to run errands, combine them into one trip. If you are going to visit family, figure out the most eco-friendly route or greenest form of transportation. Doing a lot of driving increases the volume of harmful emissions, even when you use a proven fuel additive, so cut down your driving over the holidays.

6) Gifts: When buying gifts, be smart. Don’t buy gifts with excess packaging. Opt for greener gift ideas. Shop consignment stores as they have some great gently-used items that might be perfect for someone on your list. But most importantly, remember that the holidays aren’t all about giving gifts. They are about spending time with family, about helping others, about showing your appreciation, etc. Those things don’t require material gifts.

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7) Wrapping: Opt for less packaging rather than more. Recycle and reuse gift bags. If you are out of gift bags, get creative with homemade wrapping. Don’t bother with one-use wrapping paper as it is simply a waste.

In short, the key is what choices you make. If you make greener choices, those will help you contribute to environmental health (both inside and out) throughout the holidays. Also, if you have any environmentally-friendly tips you personally follow during the holidays, I’d love to hear about them!

Image by Edgar Zuniga Jr.

Well, the holiday season has arrived and many people are already making travel plans for their Winter vacations. Yes, there are people who due to the economy, finances or just personal preference will opt to stay close to home. But for those who are already planning some holiday travel, here are some eco-friendly holiday travel tips that might help you make the most of your holidays while keeping your environmental impact to a minimum.

1) Green Car Rental: Many car rental companies are getting on the band wagon and now offering fuel-efficient hybrids to their eco-friendly consumers. Places like Avis have a variety of green car options so you can not only cut your expenses during your holiday travel, but you can cut your harmful emissions as well.

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Hertz and many other rental car companies offer green options as well. Enterprise, National and Alamo boast the “most fuel efficient fleet in the industry“. So there is really no shortage of options when it comes to green car rentals this holiday season.

2) Green Flights: If your travel plans are going to take you a little further from home, you’d be smart to find the most eco-friendly flight around. For some tips on what airlines are the greenest, check out the seatguru.com. They not only give you an idea of which airlines have implemented energy and fuel-efficient steps, but what to look for in an airline.

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Now, there are options to “offset” your travel, but rather than giving your money away to a company that will apparently donate or contribute to the environment, why not just do a little more research yourself and figure out how to cut your own emissions. You can check out a report GreenBiz did earlier in the year regarding green airline rankings.

3) Green Hotels: When it comes to green hotels, there are many different groups and organizations that promote their “green” amenities. But how do you know they are truly green and aren’t just greenwashing? Travelocity promotes that they have no self-certified green hotels in their green hotel directory and their green hotel options even come with a “green guarantee“.

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Looks like the Roaming Gnome has been doing some green traveling. So if you are looking for inexpensive travel that fits your green bill, Travelocity might be a good option.

One thing to remember though is no matter where you stay, you can always take steps to make your hotel stay a little greener: opt to not have your towels washing daily, turn off lights not in use, set/adjust room temperature, recycle your bottles/cans, etc.

4) Stay at home: Of course one of the greenest options for the holidays is to stay at home. Cutting out travel all together means less harmful emissions but more importantly you have additional time to relax and enjoy the family. Plan some indoor activities or arts/crafts projects with the kids, go for a nature walk or scavenger hunt, etc.

5) Driving Tips: If you have local travel plans for the holidays, take some simple steps to limit your harmful emissions and increase your fuel economy. Ensure your vehicle is up-to-date on its basic maintenance, including rotating your tires and properly inflating them. Use a proven fuel additive. Clean out your vehicle, removing any unneeded items so it isn’t weighed down. Drive appropriately for your weather. Carpool if possible.

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Planet Green also offers a few general tips on “How to Go Green: Holidays“. So whatever you are looking at doing over the holidays, there are simple tips/options that are available to ensure you have a happy, eco-friendly holiday. If you have any other eco-friendly tips, we’d love to hear about them!